This Year's Adventure into the Bog
May 31, 2018 19:49:08 #
This was my 9th spring for venturing into the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden behind Alderman Elementary School in Wilmington NC. I first heard about the bog/pocosin from my neighbor who was a teacher, and I had no idea what to expect. I believe it is magical...worthy of an annual return.
I know that sarracenia/pitcher plants grow in many places in the U.S., but Wilmington is the hub of a 75-mile-radius natural habitat for the Venus flytrap...and Rehder has some of the best.
Every year is different. This spring has been unusually wet so the bog is really "boggy". Yesterday was the first time in my many trips into the bog that I could not avoid soaking my shoes. I believe the wetness has contributed to some of the best flytrap specimens I have seen there. The standing water shows in several of my shots.
The sky conditions were bright overcast which does reflect on the water and has to be toned down (by luminosity masking) in pp.
After so many photo safaris there, I had to ask myself how can I come up with something different/more interesting than in the past years. I wanted to capture the complexity of the many plants in the bog but still catch some unique closeups.
(I had to also manage the complication of the rain returning both times I was in the bog this year.)
Art is in the mind of the artist and the beholder. Hopefully something here will catch your fancy.
I know that sarracenia/pitcher plants grow in many places in the U.S., but Wilmington is the hub of a 75-mile-radius natural habitat for the Venus flytrap...and Rehder has some of the best.
Every year is different. This spring has been unusually wet so the bog is really "boggy". Yesterday was the first time in my many trips into the bog that I could not avoid soaking my shoes. I believe the wetness has contributed to some of the best flytrap specimens I have seen there. The standing water shows in several of my shots.
The sky conditions were bright overcast which does reflect on the water and has to be toned down (by luminosity masking) in pp.
After so many photo safaris there, I had to ask myself how can I come up with something different/more interesting than in the past years. I wanted to capture the complexity of the many plants in the bog but still catch some unique closeups.
(I had to also manage the complication of the rain returning both times I was in the bog this year.)
Art is in the mind of the artist and the beholder. Hopefully something here will catch your fancy.
Profusion
(Download)
The Reds
(Download)
Bumblebee Tempting Fate
(Download)
Only Purple Pitcher I Have Ever Seen
(Download)
The Hoods
(Download)
Best Flytraps in 9 Years
(Download)
The Flowers Do Not Last Long
(Download)
Sarracenia Towers
(Download)
The Hangers
(Download)
More Pocosin Profusion
(Download)
May 31, 2018 19:58:03 #
Wow, those are amazing pictures. I loved the pitcher plants. I didnt know Venus Fly Traps grow here. I used to have one that I fed flies and raw hamburger when I was a lot younger. (the leaves (traps) turned black and died. Really cool pictures. wish I could have been with yu.
May 31, 2018 20:03:21 #
Dave, I downloaded each of these for the best view and enjoyed every minute of it! I like the variety-some close ups and some wider views. The colors and subjects are delightful and a bit different.
May 31, 2018 20:10:29 #
Beautiful set.
We had the pitcher plants and venus fly traps in the swamp behind our house in Fayetteville, NC.
We had the pitcher plants and venus fly traps in the swamp behind our house in Fayetteville, NC.
May 31, 2018 20:25:35 #
Amazing group. I love swamps bogs and all matters wet vegetation. Thanks for sharing.
May 31, 2018 20:35:37 #
bjwags wrote:
Wow, those are amazing pictures. .
Glad I could share them. Thanks for the kind comment.
May 31, 2018 20:36:40 #
May 31, 2018 20:36:58 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
... enjoyed every minute of it! I like the variety-some close ups and some wider views. The colors and subjects are delightful and a bit different.
Many thanks, Carol. The colors change subtly from year to year. And the heat will soon damage them.
May 31, 2018 20:38:29 #
armymsg wrote:
Beautiful set.
We had the pitcher plants and venus fly traps in the swamp behind our house in Fayetteville, NC.
We had the pitcher plants and venus fly traps in the swamp behind our house in Fayetteville, NC.
Thank you, Army (and salute to you.)
I did not realize the flytraps' range went as far over as Fayetteville.
May 31, 2018 20:39:13 #
In-lightened wrote:
Amazing group. I love swamps bogs and all matters wet vegetation. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Kim. Do you have bogs near KC?
May 31, 2018 20:40:08 #
Longshadow wrote:
(Hope you didn't hear anything say "Feed me."!)
(Hope you didn't hear anything say "Feed me."!)
There were flies tempting fate. I suspect some ended up as dinner.
May 31, 2018 20:42:42 #
May 31, 2018 20:50:49 #
davefales wrote:
Thank you, Army (and salute to you.)
I did not realize the flytraps' range went as far over as Fayetteville.
I did not realize the flytraps' range went as far over as Fayetteville.
They sure did. Back in the 60's we took them to school for science projects. I also remember smelling a pitcher plant once...just once. Disgusting foul odor!
Jun 1, 2018 08:09:24 #
armymsg wrote:
. I also remember smelling a pitcher plant once...just once. Disgusting foul odor!
I've not tried smelling one, usually because you'd have to walk off the prepared path. Now you have me curious. Thanks.
Jun 1, 2018 09:11:33 #
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