A day full of interesting plants before heading off to Alabama

This preserve was supposed to have lots of interesting plants – and it didn’t disappoint us.

Plant diversity would peak in the boggy areas, with some great surprises.

Initially we were on a board walk looking down on a tremendous number of pitcher plants, sundews and bladderworts.

The white-topped pitcher plant was an amazing tall plant, that would hold many surprises for us when we were able to examine them more closely. These plants were some 3 feet tall.

Tracey’s sundew was a pleasant numerous surprise. These were almost as tall as the pitcher plants.

Pink sundew were abundant. On the wet prairie trail it was difficult not to walk of some.

Topping off the carnivorous plants was a small patch of butterworts. Now, back to some surprises.

On the wet prairie we were able to look down into the throats of the pitcher plants. Flies and moths were abundant residents. Yes, they lived there.

I found it interesting that Grass-pink were abundant here. Somehow, this was a surprise.

And finally, this Pipevine swallowtail seemed quite interested in the pitcher plants. Well, after some five hours it was time to head off to Dauphin Island, Alabama.

Just because we hd a long day it didn’t stop us from walking out among the dune-swales towards the Gulf of Mexico. Susan found this Clapper Rail that sat still long enough for a photo.

Just outside of our room at the Gulf Breeze Motel there are several bottlebrush trees that attracted birds, like this Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler.

More birds tomorrow….