I took the time to go into the Targhee Forest next to the RV Park this afternoon. I found a couple new items to report. It's quite a bit wet up there and I encountered the dreaded mosquito, one of which managed to take a sip of me before she ended up a mangled mess on my hand!

At the edge of the forest, I found a bushy plant about 16 inches high, 14 inches wide that intrigued me. It resembled a parsley plant that was still in the process of developing it's little white umbrella of flowers. I later determined that it was a very poisonous plant called the Western water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii). This is the plant that allegedly poisoned Socrates ( a few years back admittedly.) I had broken off a stem for identification back at the motorhome. I found that it was a hollow stem and there was a little liquid dripping out of the stem. Later when I identified it as hemlock I quickly washed my hands. My fingers that had brought it home tingled a little afterwards. No wonder, it's a toxic nerve agent! So, this is a plant NOT to confuse with parsley. Only a few leaves need to be eaten to DIE! The leaves are three-parted and serrated. It's actually an attractive little plant. If it just wasn't so dangerous. I read where the hollow stems have tempted children to use them as whistles and soon find themselves DEAD! From my childhood, I remember kids in the Boy Scouts of America finding hollow stems in the forest and trying to smoke them! This plant would have been a quick smoke!


As usual, the Western Virgin Bower's vine continues to grow and enhance the beauty of any spot it grows. There were several vines throughout the short walk I took up into the forest. Each day seems to bring more of these. What a delightful lavender addition to the profusion of greens in the forest.

I was still trying to find the elusive little Fairyslipper Orchid (Calypso bulbosa). I roughly knew where it would pop up thanks to my work in the same area last year. Well, after several minutes of searching my eyes focused in on two specimens some ways off the trail. Again, these extremely attractive plants are only about 3" off the forest floor with a flower only about 1.5" tall. Meriwether Lewis first discovered this plant for the European Americans, as a plant new to science while hiking along the Lolo trail in Idaho. I can imagine his delight in finding such a beauty.

The Fairyslipper has one leaf that lies on the ground at the base of the single stem. I've included a photo of the leaf this time. I'm sure there will be a few more specimens blooming in the next couple weeks. I am continually trying to find the perfect specimen for photography.



On the way back to the motorhome, my eye caught a fly landing on a plant. Having my macro lens at hand I photographed it. I can't identify it (no surprise given there are a thousand or more species of flies.) This one is unusual in that it has a very hairy set of antennae projecting out forward like an appendage. Another photo I took looking straight down verifies that these are where the antennae should be and are situated between the large compound eyes. Let me know if you know what this is. It was about 3/4 inch long in my estimation.


Tomorrow I'll be traveling to Idaho Falls, but who knows, maybe I'll encounter some wildlife. I always take my camera(s) with me.

Come see us at RedRock RV Park near Island Park, Idaho. You won't be sorry.