Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid 2011

It was 10 months in the making, but I finally found an Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid.  These plants are state-endangered and federally-threatened mainly due to habitat loss.  Last fall when I was volunteering at the Nachusa Grasslands, one of the stewards pointed out an area where the orchids could be found.  I marked it with my GPS, so I would remember where it was.  The trick was showing up at the right time.  

I consulted Michael A. Homoya's Orchids of Indiana (because there isn't an equivalent resource for Illinois) and figured out the best time to return.  As confirmation, the Spring 2011 issue of Illinois Audubon magazine had an essay about this species of orchid at Nachusa. 

Joe and I picked our date to go looking and we followed our GPS waypoint back to the general location.  Even with all the advantages of timing and location, we still had to actually find a plant, which is like finding a needle in a haystack.  The most challenging part was wading through a thorny thicket and crossing a small stream.  It was worth all the blood and sweat we gave in exchange for a look at these spectacular plants!