Lady Slipper Walk - June 12, 2025

Article by Claudia Lipski & Karin Lindquist

Yellow Lady Slipper Orchids (Cypripedium parviflorum) at The Narrows Provincial Recreational Park

Will it rain? That was the big (and hopeful) question. We had hoped we would bring on the rain by not cancelling the evening. However, we chose to forego the paddling portion as it was a cool and misty evening with a mild breeze. This may have made paddling uncomfortable.

The channel was paddleable, although entry into Parlby/Mirror Bay would have been difficult or impossible due to the low water level.

We had been greeted with the drumming of a well-hidden Ruffed Grouse and the tunes of the miming Gray Catbird, which offered great views of itself as it sat on a high-up bare poplar tree branch.

Red-winged Blackbirds, Bohemian Waxwings and Yellow Warblers sang constantly, interspersed with tunes of a Baltimore Oriole. We had several fly-byes: an Avocet, a Black-necked Stilt, a couple of Black Terns, a White-faced Ibis, some Tree Swallows, and a lone Pelican.

Flowers and shrubs were examined and identified using people’s knowledge and observational skills, and confirmed with various phone apps. A minuscule blossom was spotted by Jim, and we challenged ourselves to remember its name for next year. It is the Mealy Primrose.

Mealy Primrose (Primula incana), the very same plant observed by our club member Jim!

When we examined a patch of fleabane, our feet crushed leaves of the fragrant wild mint.

Bob R. remained on guard by the vehicles and observed a Cedar Waxwing feeding its young. The Alberta Conservation Officer cruised by twice but didn’t inquire as to the purpose of the number of vehicles.

Oh, yes! The Lady Slippers! We found several small bunches spaced widely apart, then a lovely scattering of them under shrubs along one of the many footpaths to the channel. Pictures were taken, and the indigenous legends of the Lady Slipper and the Indian Paintbrush were read.

One special photograph by Rob showed the streaks of ‘blood’ found inside the pouch-like flower head of a Lady’s Slipper.

All in all, it was a delightful two-hour walk with club members as we strolled along the lane beyond the closed gate. Afterwards, we took a group photo before departing for home.

From left to right: Bob, Mechtild, Claudia, Jan, Karin, Jim, and Bob R.