Before heading home, I had to visit a special place near Perdido, AL. I found out about it thanks to two awesome botanists (Michelle and Gil) who said it was a great place to see Sarracenia leucophylla (white-topped pitcher plant). Unfortunately I had less time than was ideal to explore, as the trip back to Illinois would be no less than 15 hours and I was short on time.
I said farewell to Mobile and after a 45 minute drive I arrived, pulling into the gravel parking area of Splinter Hill Bog. After lacing up my hiking boots and liberally applying bug spray, I set out on the east loop.
The sun burned bright overhead as I made my way down the trail. I hiked for a while down the path, spotting Rhexia mariana, Sabatia stellaris, Polygala lutea, and many more fascinating plants; some familiar, some new to me.
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I finally found the shade of trees, a welcome respite from the unforgiving heat. I reached into my backpack, rummaging around for the familiar cold of my water bottle, only to come to the awful realisation that I forgot it in the car. I was so antsy to get going that I made a huge mistake. Luckily I had an apple to somewhat quench my thirst, as there was no way I was going back given the time restrictions. I definitely took a big risk! I continued onward, hopping over streams and puddles of water, and
finally emerged back into the sweltering heat where the lack of canopy
made the trek much more grueling.
I noticed many different critters on my journey, most notably some lizards of some sort that were sunning and fled as I neared; they were too quick for photos. I lost track of time and was starting to worry that I somehow took a wrong turn. I was parched, sweltry, and wondered if all the effort to that point had been worth it. I continued onward. And then, off in the distance...could it be?! Yes, the bright white of S. leucophylla, a beacon of hope! I was a lost traveler in the desert, the pitcher plants were my oasis, and this was not a mirage!
Stunning. I had only ever seen one other carnivorous plant in the wild: S. purpurea in Illinois, which was an adventure in its own right, and one I could easily visit any time I wanted. White-topped pitchers in the deep South were fields of extraordinary plants in a strange land that I might never see again.
With renewed vigour, I charged ahead. Camera ready, aimed, and fired. I snapped picture after picture, but was not satisfied until I switched to macro. Only then could I capture the beautiful details of an individual plant. I focused on the ruffled operculum with intricate maroon veins, translucent white windows, and smooth peristome. I had the great pleasure of observing a green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans, waiting on the hood of a pitcher for a free meal.
To top it off, they had flowers! And to my great delight I spotted S. purpurea as well.
It wasn't until I heard thunder rumbling in the distance that I remembered I had a time limit. I was sad to leave, but grateful to have had the chance to explore. I tore myself away from the pitcher plants, hurrying back to the east parking lot in an effort to beat the storm.
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| Uh oh. |
By the time the dark clouds rolled in, I had to call my husband (who had been patiently waiting the whole time) to bring the car to the west parking lot as I made my way to the trail leading there. I stuffed my phone and camera in my backpack moments before the sky decided to dump water onto me. Luckily I was already at my exit route. I bolted down the half-mile path, eager to escape further drenching. I held on firmly to my hat as I sprung over mounds of grass and pools of mud, as if I were clearing hurdles on my way to the finish line. "You will not stop to look at plants!" I reminded myself, as I exerted as much self-control as I could muster.
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| (This didn't count as *stopping* to look at plants; it was a run-by shot!) |
At long last I emerged from the brush into the parking lot, and I almost made it to the car until I beheld a plant that stopped me dead in my tracks: Passiflora! Camera out, jaw dropped. Whatever willpower I had minutes before vanished without a trace, as my bewildered husband wondered why I, soaking wet, decided to stare at flowers instead of seeking the shelter of the car.
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| Entrancing! Stunning! Worth it. |
After capturing an indeterminate amount of passionflower pictures, I finally came to my senses and flopped into the car with sopping clothes and a huge grin, enthralled with my adventure, and ready to tell Steve about what he missed out on.
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That concludes my Alabama Adventures series! The whole road trip was amazing, from Georgia to Alabama and every bit between. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and recollections! I am fortunate to remember everything so vividly, as I am just finishing this nearly a year later!
Quick note: For some reason my photos in that album are completely out of order. It is a lot to organise so I will have to take my time fixing it.
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