Petrel Point Part II - Following the Boardwalk

 The boardwalk provided a chance to see all kinds of plants as we worked our way through the nature reserve.  There are actually two other adjoining properties that Ontario Nature owns, but the boardwalk only goes through the original property, purchased in 1962.  That's when I first visited, as a 14 year old.

We followed the boardwalk pas the Pitcher Plants, to see what else we could find in mid-June.

Besides the open fen habitat there were small 'islands' of old Cedar trees here and there.   Changing water tables must have a big effect on the plants here.

The next rare plant we found was the Tall White Bog Orchid, a spike of white in the fen.

A close-up view of the tiny blossoms.

There was Cotton Grass blowing in the breeze.  Getting a clear picture while the plant was being blown back and forth in the wind was a challenge!

Ragwort is pentiful, even though it's an invasive species.  The dots of yellow across the fen could fool you if you don't know your plants!

And the Cedar trees struggle on in this harsh environment.  

The fens on the west shore of the Saugeen Peninsula get their unique assemblage of plants due to the seepage of cold nutrient-rich groundwater across the sand.  It's the combination of nutrients from the limestone further east and the nutrient-poor sand that provides the unique habitat.