Thursday, June 29, 2017
Dabney S. Lancaster Community
College
Clifton Forge, Virginia
We had to strike camp before departing for the Cranberry Glades. This tent group is
a ways from being packed up and ready to go!
Our excursion to the Cranberry Glades near Marlinton, WV is a trip to a botanical wonderland.
The open glade at the Cranberry Glades.
This group likes to take group photos at every opportunity. Click for a larger version.
A boardwalk keeps your feet dry as you walk through the bogs. (And another group photo.)
The Cranberry Glades are noted for their insectivorous plants.
The tiny sundew traps insects on its sticky surface.
The pitcher plant has unique flowers (close-up at right) above the pitchers that capture insects.
The Cranberry Glades are also noted for their variety of wildflowers, especially orchids.
Grass Pink Orchid
Birds are attracted to the feeders and native wildflowers around the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center.
The female ruby-throated hummingbird has a white throat.
The male has the eponymous ruby-red throat -- which can look black depending upon your viewing angle.
Inside the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, the participants enjoyed handling snakes (under supervision, of course).
Usually our participants are snake-adverse, but this year they had no fears.
When it's all over, the tents need to be thoroughly dried for storage until next year.