Lady’s slippers are blooming. Named for their shoe-like flower shape, these unusual plants are members of the orchid family. They’re long-lived and take years to flower for the first time. Though the pink lady’s slipper is relatively easy to spot, our other species are much more rare. Here are five exquisite portraits of these orchids from our past Photo Contests.
Pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule), 2013 Photo Contest Entry © Monica Alley
Yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum), 2011 Photo Contest Entry © Linda Sullivan
Pink lady’s slippers (Cypripedium acaule), 2014 Photo Contest Entry © Henry Josephson
Showy lady’s slipper (Cypripedium reginae), 2011 Photo Contest Entry © Gail S. Platz
Pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule), 2010 Photo Contest Entry © Rebecca Skinner
Have a great shot of your own? Enter our 2015 Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest!