Yesterday the Ghost Orchid opened 4 blooms at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. You can see them off of the Boardwalk and a scope is set up. They said you may put your camera up to the scope and take photos, as others have.
The blooms should last 10-12 days.
Driving from Venice should take about 2 hrs. The day you plan to go, dial the number below and then immediately 0 for operator — and ask if it is still blooming.
A little history on this particular ghost orchid:
http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/Wildlife/GhostOrchid.html
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 375 Sanctuary Road West, Naples, Florida 34120, (239) 348-9151 www.corkscrew.audubon.org
Directions if you don’t have GPS: http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/Visit/map_directions.pdf
Enjoy the walk. You might also see their resident Barred Owl (ask where he is), the Pileated Woodpecker many other species of flora and fauna.
For scientific minds, check out Prem Subrahmanyam’s website:
http://www.flnativeorchids.com/natives_gallery/dendrophylax_lindenii.htm ;
There are 150 native orchids in North America and 45 in Florida. It’s always special to see native orchids in the wild. Begin your quest!