Forest Floor Flowers in the Bella Coola Valley

At the end of last week, the surgeon who gave me a new knee made his spring visit to Bella Coola.  It was a good chance to see what he thought (he admired his carpentry work!) and I also visited two different physiotherapists and got a lot of homework to do.  Thankyou again to everyone who has offered encouragement.  I can now walk slowly across the room with no sticks, but I still use poles or crutches outside – partly because it is faster and I am less likely to be eaten alive by blackflies!  I still can’t quite manage without pain killers, but I am obviously getting there.

As usual, I stayed with my friends at Stuie, about 80 km up-valley from Bella Coola. (This is Melican, one of the mountains seen from their backyard.)

a Mt MelicanEverything was so beautifully lush and coastal.  Here is a cottonwood tree.

balsam poplarI was a little too early for the best display of the forest flowers.  The male pine blossoms had not quite made pollen yet.

male pine blossomAnd it took a lot of searching to find a queen’s cup in bloom.

k queen's cupThe heart-leafed Arnica were in their prime, though. (Hooker’s Fairy bells on the left).

arnica, heart-leaved

heart-leafed arnicaBecause of the very dry spring, the early Calypso orchids were just about finished.  (It is very hard to get into the best place for good photos while on crutches!)

e calypso orchids

calypso orchidFalse solomon’s seal was doing well,

solomon seal, falseAnd the star-flowered solomon’s seal…

star-flowered solomon's sealMost of the spotted coral root orchids were not yet open.  I managed to find one sunny clump.

spotted coral root orchid

spotted coral rootA few early False Lily of the Valley were blooming.

false lily-of-the-valleyPride of place, however, were the Moccasin flowers or Mountain Lady slipper orchids.

mountain Lady slipper orchid

mountain lady-slipper orchid

 

Should you wish to comment on this post, please click on the title and scroll to the bottom of the new page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 thoughts on “Forest Floor Flowers in the Bella Coola Valley”

  1. Glad you are coming along with your knee, its not much fun. I absolutely love the wildflower pictures, especially the Calypso orchids or lady slipper as I used to call them. It brought back memories of when I was a kid living beside Mt. Douglas Park just outside Victoria and my playground was the forest where I would find the orchids among other kinds of wild flowers. Sadly the area is now so over used its becoming quite barren. Anyway thanks, brought back happy memories.

  2. With or without crutches, you are an amazing photographer Chris!
    May your knee continue to heel, and may you soon be pain free.

  3. Hi You made my day! My white lady slippers are out in a nice little bunch but your pictures are so splendid. I hope the knee is becoming less painful so you can enjoy your walks around your own home. It is really great to have these visits with you and see what is going on in your life.

  4. Stunning photography Chris! You are such an artistic woman – one of your many, many talents I think!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge