Bog Walkin'

A couple of weeks ago, on a glorious Sunday afternoon, Sarah and I took a drive to the Hawley Bog.  The Nature Conservancy and the Five Colleges (Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Amherst, Hampshire, and the University of Massachusetts) own 65 acres that they protect for the public and as an outdoor classroom.  It's one of the few remaining bogs in New England that can be easily visited.

Sarah didn't know what to expect and was dubious about the adventure until we started down the 1/4-mile trail.  Minutes later, the woods started to recede, the trail turned to wooden boardwalk, and her interest increased.  We started searching for pitcher plants and sundews, which we had seen on the sign at the trailhead.  Who wouldn't be intrigued by the thought of carnivorous plants?!

We found lots of pitcher plants (full of water, just waiting for unsuspecting insects to drop by), but, alas, no sundews.  Sarah was undaunted, however.  As we drove home, she said, "This was the best day ever!  Can we go again next Sunday?"

A patch o' pitcher plants

Pitcher plants among spaghnum moss

Cotton grass