Category Archives: Chapman State Park, PA

Seen Only In 13 U.S. States

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Filed under Admiral, Chapman State Park, PA

White Admiral Butterfly, State Gamelands #29, photographed by Jeff Zablow in Allegheny National Forest, PA

I’m working that trail in Chapman State Park, in Clarendon, Pennsylvana, in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania. What was I seeing, Red-Spotted Purple butterflies and Comma butterflies, on the trail itself. Then, Whow! What’s that? A butterfly near the trail border, the same size as the others, but . . . it has a milk-white, sharply defined broad white band along its wings.

I shot away, got a few exposures, and followed it to the bush that it flew to. Here’s a fair image of a White Admiral butterfly.  After being happily introduced to dozens of dozens of butterflies found only west of the Mississippi River, I return the favor, with a butterfly not seen 35 of the States of the USA.

Of course I stood there after, wondering what was G-d’s Plan, setting such glaring White Stripes across those four wings, dorsal (upper) and ventral (lower)?

Jeff

Orchids in Western Pennsylvania

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Filed under Chapman State Park, PA, Native Orchids, Native Plants and Flowers

Pink Lady's Slipper Wildflower, photographed by Jeff Zablow at Chapman State Park, NY

Sure, no winged beauties in this shot. I was in Chapman State Park in northwestern Pennsylvania this past June, 2016. I was there in 2015 too, and sure enough found Pink Lady’s Slipper native orchids. They take your breath away, they do! You just stand there and admire, and you reflect on the vulnerability of these delicate looking wildflowers.

So when I went back in June of this year, the question? was can I find them again? Yes, I searched and found this years Lady’s Slippers. The other question was, shoot them again? I do, do have good images of Pink Lady’s Slipper,  taken right here. My decision, how could I  . . . not? They are exquisite, graceful, elegant and just bathe your eyes with luscious.

I have posted Pink Lady’s Slippers here on wingedbeauty this year. But today my wife reminded me of how much she enjoys those recent shares here.

Well, if that’s the case, take in this other gentle view of  a few of these sweeties!

Jeff

3 Demure Pink’s

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Filed under Chapman State Park, PA, Native Orchids, Native Plants and Flowers, Wildflowers

Pink Lady's Slipper wildflower, photographed by Jeff Zablow at Chapman State Park, NY

June 2016, and Petra and I stayed in cabin CC! at Chapman State Park, awaiting the Presentation that I would give on June 3rd at the Jamestown Audubon Center. Western New York is lush, beautiful, and the Mother Lode for wildlife and wildflowers.

I reconnoitered the very same spot we found the year before, at about the same stretch of June. Could not find what I was looking for the first day I searched, but the next day there they were. A loosely spread-out grouping of Pink  Lady’s Slippers. America’s favorite native orchids.

The operative word is ‘demure.’ Random House’s Webster College Dictionary define demure as coyly decorous. These 3 wildflowers struck me as little princesses, coyly posed there, shyly presenting their radiant freshness and beauty.

I Love these blooms. They set my heart ablaze, TBT.

Jeff

NB, We leave for Georgia in 2 days. Will be offline during that time, and I’ll be scouring that sylvan state for winged beauties and green, lush wildflowers . . .

 

Oh Where Have You Gone, Jeffrey Boy, Jeff Boy . . .

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Filed under Chapman State Park, PA, Flowers Loved by Butterflies, Native Orchids, Native Plants and Flowers, Wildflowers

Pink Lady's Slipper Orchid, photographed by Jeff Zablow in Chapman State Park, PA

Headed back today to Chapman State Park, in the Allegheny National Forest. This is northwestern Pennsylvania, near the New York border.

On Friday, June 3, I will enjoy my PowerPoint presentation at the Jamestown Audubon Center. Brownbag lunch after, followed by a . . . field walk. I’ve chosen some of my favorites images, and Boy! I wish you could come. I’d foot the admi$$ion charge, if that’s what it takes!

Will be in my cabin at Chapman through June 7th, and Petra will be even happier than I. Field work those days, mostly headed to bogs and wetlands, for bog butterflies and . . . Orchids!

Oh i’ve gone to Jamestown, to seek me a Bronze Copper (or Showy orchid (I can dream)), it’ll be the  Joy of my Life . . . . From a childhood song I mostly recall.

Jeff (offline ’til I return home)

Maryland Lady Slippers

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Filed under Chapman State Park, PA, Native Orchids, Native Plants and Flowers, Wildflowers

Pink Lady's Slipper Orchid, photographed by Jeff Zablow in Chapman State Park, PA

Monday rain. Tuesday? Rain. Wednesday rain. Thursday morning? Drizzle. Five (5) days in mid-shore and lower-shore Maryland. Saw few butterflies, no surprise there, because . . . butterflies do not fly when it rains. An exception to that might be the Northern Pearly-Eye butterfly, which I have seen flying in Pennsylvania in light rain.

This image of a Chapman State Park Pink Lady’s Slipper bloom will suffice until I get my slides of Maryland shore orchids to Kansas, and then have my film slides scanned at Rewind Memories, here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I found Pink Lady’s Slippers in Adkins Arboretum here in mid-shore Maryland, and located others in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland. These Delmarva orchids were lighter pink in color, and a bit shorter of flower stalk. Lush they were though, and FUN to search for . . . and Find!

Petra joined me on this trip, though she missed visiting very tony Oxford, and many other neat destinations in this haven for farmers, the rich, and very serious shellfish fishermen/women.

With the rain and wet conditions limiting in one respect, I also found and shot many very beautiful forest plants, the timing (mid-Spring) was perfect.

Jeff