You'll have to indulge me a bit longer. I'm now obsessed with my ditch. (Notice how I've taken ownership!) I went back yesterday to get some more photos of the Sundews. I also wanted to get back to get a few more pictures of a Grass Pink Orchid that I had found in the preserve last week. (Probably the prettiest flower I've ever seen in the wild). I got one last Orchid shot (they don't last very long, so I'm glad I went back).
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| Grass-pink Orchid (Calopogon multiflorus) |
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| Last Blossoms and a Friend (Taken 4 days after the first picture. Flowers almost done!) |
Then I turned my attention to the ditch. This time I walked a little further down the fence line to explore. What a difference 100 yards makes! I found more Ladies Tresses Orchids, Yellow Colic Root and Blue Flowered Butterwort (both new ones for me!), Rough Skullcap, Tiny Duck Potatoes, an abundance of Wild Onion, White Lobelia, and best of all, Hooded Pitcher Plants in flower!
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| Yellow Colic Root (Aletris lutea) |
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| Blue Butterwort (Pinguicula caerulea) |
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| Rough Skullcap (Scutellaria integrifolia) |
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| Duck Potato (Sagittaria graminea) and Katydid |
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| Wild Onion (Allium canadense) |
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| White Lobelia (Lobelia paludosa) |
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| Hooded Pitcherplants in Flower (Sarracenia minor) |
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| Hooded Pitcherplant |
The simple beauty of this unassuming stretch is astonishing.
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| Quiet Roadside Ditch |
The Sundew pictures didn't turn out so well, but who cares? I felt so lucky out there at the side of the road, surrounded by carnivorous plants and listening to the roar of the wind as it blew through the pine trees. An occasional sprinkle caused the Spring Peeper frogs to strike up a chorus. As always, the Little Metalmark Butterflies were there fluttering and basking in the sun when the clouds broke, and little Bee Flies that resemble flying Kiwi Fruit buzzed around the Betony. Even the spring wave of Love Bugs seemed magical at that moment.
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| Little Metalmark |
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| Bee Fly and Betony |
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| Lovebugs on Heartwing Dock (Rumex hastatulus) |
I love this place! There is rain in the forecast this week, and soon we'll be entering the rainy season. I can't wait to see what else pops up. I'll be sure to keep you posted.
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| Yellow Hatpins, Extreme Closeup (Syngonanthus flavidulus) |
I posted a comment yesterday, but it never appeared!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and what a cool ditch! Hooded pitcherplant flowers look extremely alien to me. That skullcap is pretty spectacular, too!
Sorry, that was probably my fault. I have to approve comments before they appear and I've been away from the computer. I think those pitcher plants are incredible and have a hard time believing I'm actually seeing them when I do! The flowers are indeed alien looking. Skullcap was an unexpected surprise in the vegetation. Thanks for reading!
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