May 24 Bluff Mountain Preserve

 

Pink Lady Slippers were numerous and at peak bloom. Were they the star of the day? Maybe not. Indian Paint Brushes may have the starring role.

 

I don't see this wildflower anywhere else. One would think, they would be found nearby on Elk Knob, Snake, Three Top or some other mountain.

The the supporting cast of wildflowers follow:

Mayflowers

Hay scented ferns

Sundew

The fen was quite wet today, so we didn't walk much in it. We did see a few Sundew plants trying to hide in the grass.

Once again, Kelly is our guide for the day. Here she is, pointing at the mist.

The Edwards' cabin is seeing more use now that a family member has taken a liking to the place. The increased usage is a concern for the Nature Conservancy. The family retained rights to the cabin for 99 years and this is only year 45 

Lily of the Valley

If you'd like to line up a private hike or join one the scheduled hikes, contact the Nature Conservancy or sign up on their website.

May 8 Uwharrie River Paddle

 

Today's PHOC paddle is led by Will Truslow. There are just 4 of us paddling from Low Water Bridge at Ophir to Rt 109. The water level is perfect and the weather is threating. 

After launching, I am watching river right for the state champion Short Leaf Pine. It is much further downriver than I thought and for some time I felt we had missed it. However, it did appear and it's crown billowed out into the open canopy over the river. 

The sign above is on river right by a large outcropping of Carolina Blue Slate. Will and I were able to step out of our kayaks here to check things out. This has been a great stopping place for as long as I have been paddling this river. It used to have a weird picnic table with just a 2x4 as the bench.

Now, the spot sports this massive stone picnic table, stone steps from the river and some stone benches. It is quite a picnic spot.

Mountain Laurel, Viburnum, Chinese Privat and other shrubs were showing off their white blooms today. 

This section has some riffles and a couple class one rapids. We all floated through them safely. There were no strainers to negotiate today. 

We arrived at the 109 takeout just after a canoe pulled in, so we had to maneuver a bit to get our kayaks out and up the slide.

May 4 Black Ankle Bog

 

This map shows The Nature Conservancy properties. They have done extensive work in the coastal plain of NC and some in the mountains but the Piedmont hasn't experienced as much conservation. One of the strategies being employed is to link properties so species can migrate without running into barriers of development. That is the hope for Black Ankle, to be connected to the Uwharries where the National Forest has a good chunk of land. 

First time I have seen Sundew in bloom

After walking in on a power line right of way, we finally, head into the wood to see the first bog, 

This is the largest of 3 bogs on the property. A fourth area was identified as a bog several decades ago but has developed into a hardwood forest now. Keeping the bogs healthy is of paramount concern. Since there are also Long Leaf Pine on the tract, that too needs some care. A burn is scheduled to help both areas. 

If you look at the ground in the photo above, note the stalks of last year's plants. These tube-like structures attract insects which are digested by chemicals produced by the plant. The nutrients of these insects sustains the plant. If you were to take one of the year old stacks and cut it open, you would see the remains of the insects that succumbed. We saw lots of flies, spiders, wasps, beetles and ants is the tubes. 

Spider being lured deeper into the pitcher plant's tube structure.

The white bloom of a Sundew