Pink Lady's-slippers 001

This time of year, wild flowers are quite abundant as you hike the trails along the North Shore.

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Cascade River State Park has about 2 dozen pink lady’s-slippers that can be seen while hiking the river loop trail. This group of four I thought was pretty impressive. Their coloring this year is a very deep pink.

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I set the camera at a short depth of field so that the second lady’s-slipper is out of focus.

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Just as I was getting ready to photograph this one the sun peeked out from between some clouds lighting up the top of the flower along with a few leaves in the distance.

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Sometimes you have to wait hours for the “Right Light”. I was fortunate that it happened as soon as I got there.

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Wild Rose

Wild rose is also in bloom on many of the trails.

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Blue Flag also called Wild Iris

One of my favorite wild flowers the blue flag is adorning the edges of many of the marshes.
A skipper decided to land as I was taking this photo.

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Blue Flag

After the rain.

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Ostrich Ferns

I am always fascinated by the patterns in ferns.

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Lupines 001

Although not native to the North Shore the lupines are adding beauty to the sideroads of Cook County.

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Lupine 002

Once in a while you can find a white lupine.

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Most are various shades of pink, blue or purple.

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