naturalist

White Lady’s Slipper Orchid

A Quest for Aphrodite’s Slippers in Northwest Indiana

By Rich Hawksworth Earlier this year I committed to locating the six species of lady’s slipper orchids native to Northwest Indiana. These alluring wildflowers are members of the genus Cypripedium. The name, which is derived from Ancient Greek, is an early reference in mythology to Aphrodite, meaning “sandal” or “slipper.” Like their namesake goddess, lady’s …

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photo of Brad Bumgardner withbinoculars at Walner Nature Presreve in Chesterton

First Shirley Heinze Land Trust Bird Count with Indiana Audubon Society

By Terry Bonace On a crisp and clear September 19 morning, a group of skilled birders spread out to visit sixteen Shirley Heinze Land Trust nature preserves across northwestern Indiana. From Lake County to St. Joseph County, they were out looking for migratory birds on one of our peak fall migration days. The knowledge of …

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