Thursday, June 27, 2019

Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Clifton Forge, Virginia

Cranberry Glades

The light morning fog lifts as the sun rises over our campground.

After striking camp, we headed for the Cranberry Glades.

The Cranberry Glades near Marlinton, WV is a botanical wonderland.

Our "official" Forestry Session group photo. Click on the photo for a full-size version.

We usually walk the 1/2 mile boardwalk twice. First in silence, then a second round to make sure everyone saw the botanical "treats".

The Cranberry Glades are noted for their insectivorous plants.

Pitcher plant flowers tower over the insect-catching "pitchers" at their base.

The tiny sundew (each leaf-pad is about the size of a dime) traps insects on their sticky pads.

The Cranberry Glades are also noted for a wide variety of wildflowers, especially orchids.

Grass Pink Orchid

Rose Pogonia Orchid.

After lunch and a brief video at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, we took a short nature trail. Here we enjoy the Stamping Creek Overlook.

Friday was perfect weather for thoroughly drying the tents for storage until next year.