Great Smoky Mountains National Park

       

Ridges Sanctuary

Endangered Dwarf Lake Iris (aka Iris lacustris) can be found hiking the trails within the Ridges Sanctuary in Door County, WI.  It is a rare flower currently on the threatened list.  It is only found where cool air blows off the lake and in sand or moist soils.  It needs just the right combination of light, humidity, moisture and soil to thrive.   Danny Burk and I visited this area over Memorial Day weekend.  We were told by a Ridges Sanctuary naturalist that this weekend was peak for Dwarf Lake Iris.

Dwarf Lake Iris and Reindeer Lichen, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI       

        Dwarf Lake Iris, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI

Dwarf Lake Iris, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI    Dwarf Lake Iris and Wild Strawberry leaves, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI    Dwarf Lake Iris and Reindeer Lichen, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI

Dwarf Lake Iris, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI    Dwarf Lake Iris, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI    Dwarf Lake Iris and Gaywing, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI

Dwarf Lake Iris, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI    Dwarf Lake Iris, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI    Dwarf Lake Iris, Ridges Sanctuary, Door County, WI

Various other wildflowers from Door County, WI.  They include a unique 4-pedaled trillium!

4 Pedal Trillium, Ellison Bluff County Park, Door County, WI    4 Pedal Trillium, Ellison Bluff County Park, Door County, WI    Yellow Violet, Ellison Bluff County Park, Door County, WI    Yellow Violet, Ellison Bluff County Park, Door County, WI

Lupine in bloom north of Two Harbors, MN

   

Plaman County Park