Our Expedition to Petrel Point

 On Tuesday of this week we headed up the peninsula to visit the Petrel Point Nature Reserve.  It's one of the few such places that has an accessible boardwalk, which I really appreciate.  The reserve is known for the unique Great Lakes Coastal Meadow Marsh, one of the rarest protected habitats on the planet.

The accessible boardwalk was built just a few years ago, replacing a narrower one that had been here for nearly 60 years.  It's comfortably wide enough for my wheelchair.

You start off riding through the cedar forest.  At the right time of year you can find orchids in here too, though we were too late this year.

If you keep your eyes open though, there are some interesting plants, like this woodland horsetail.

Then suddenly you pop out into the open fen community.

This is the area where the carnivorous plants are found, particularly the Pitcher Plant and Sundew.  

This is a Pitcher Plant, the dark purple flowers on a tall stem, and cluster of 'pitchers' at the base.

Here's a closer look at the pitchers.  Cylindrical leaves, these pitchers are lined with downward pointing hairs, so insects that go exploring cannot make their way out again.  Ultimately they are trapped at the base, and dissolved, providing the plant with a source of nutrients.

Although the flowers are deep purple on the top, a front view shows their light yellow/green flowers.

A photo from a few years ago shows the Linear-leaved Sundew surrounding a Pitcher plant.  It seemed to be too wet for them this year.