| Autumn in the Green Swamp by Kelvin Taylor November 1, 2008 |
Autumn in the Green Swamp
November 1, 2008
Joe, Skip, Kimberli, Kelly & KT
The alarm clock went off at 5:15 am Saturday morning. Time to get up, put the gear in the car,
and head southeast to Green Swamp. I was to meet Joe and Skip at 9 am at the pond parking
lot. The Buffaloes were due a couple of hours later. I arrived early around 8:10 am, and decided
to take advantage of the early morning light and still air. The pond was glassy still with some
nice reflections of the surrounding trees.
Shortly after I my arrival Skip showed up so we chatted for a bit about photography then took
some pics of a bright orange mushroom growing near the pond. Skip got a call from Kimberli
saying Joe was running a bit late. A short time later Joe arrived (after driving past the parking
lot first). After our formal greetings the three of us started out into the savanna.
The trail is surrounded by open flatland covered with wiregrass, herbs, scattered woody shrubs,
and towering longleaf pines. It didn’t take us long to spot our first autumn wildflower:
pinebarren gentian. The iridescent blue is impossible to miss. Skip pointed out the flowers, which
were partially closed at this time, would open more lately in the day. We decided to keep
heading back into the savanna then check the flowers on the way back to the parking lot. As we
continued we came upon a transition zone: a thick overgrown pocosin. This habitat is much
different from the open savanna. A pocosin is comprised of woody plants, both trees and
shrubs, growing so thick it creates a nearly impenetrable thicket. Fortunately there is a trail with
a boardwalk cut through the pocosin. The narrow path through the dense vegetation isn’t a
favorable place for those who are claustrophobic.
Once you exit the boardwalk you enter into an open canopy of the savanna again. It reminds
me of entering a cathedral from a dark hallway. Plenty of pitcher plants were standing tall from
the wiregrass. Of course the pitchers are torn and brown this time of year. Skip did find a nice
clump of purple pitcher plants in good shape, and one Venus flytrap, which Joe stopped to
photograph. We took our time observing those plants both in bloom and long since passed. We
made our way to one of the back savannas where we found the rare, elusive Grass of Parnassus.
Only two plants were in bloom this time, far less than last year. Today was 4 days earlier than
last year’s hike so perhaps the flowers were just getting started.
After getting a text message from Kimberli we made our way back to the parking lot. As we
reached the backside of the pond near the parking lot, we spotted Kimberli and Kelly. They were
busy trying to find her lost lens cap, apparently a common occurrence. They got to meet Skip
albeit a short meeting. He had to cut the trip short because of a prior commitment. After eating
a snack for lunch our reduced by one gang headed back into the savanna. Kimberli got to
experience up close a savanna then a walk through an official pocosin via the boardwalk trail.
Upon returning to the parking lot we searched for some flytraps. Found a couple, but not nearly
the number I’ve seen in the past. Poaching has become a big problem decimating the native
populations in and around Green Swamp. It was about 3 p.m. when we decided to call it a day.
We finished our outing with pizza(and cheesesticks) in Shallotte. After our meal Joe headed to
Myrtle Beach while the Buffaloes and I returned home.
A good time had by all.
November 1, 2008
Joe, Skip, Kimberli, Kelly & KT
The alarm clock went off at 5:15 am Saturday morning. Time to get up, put the gear in the car,
and head southeast to Green Swamp. I was to meet Joe and Skip at 9 am at the pond parking
lot. The Buffaloes were due a couple of hours later. I arrived early around 8:10 am, and decided
to take advantage of the early morning light and still air. The pond was glassy still with some
nice reflections of the surrounding trees.
Shortly after I my arrival Skip showed up so we chatted for a bit about photography then took
some pics of a bright orange mushroom growing near the pond. Skip got a call from Kimberli
saying Joe was running a bit late. A short time later Joe arrived (after driving past the parking
lot first). After our formal greetings the three of us started out into the savanna.
The trail is surrounded by open flatland covered with wiregrass, herbs, scattered woody shrubs,
and towering longleaf pines. It didn’t take us long to spot our first autumn wildflower:
pinebarren gentian. The iridescent blue is impossible to miss. Skip pointed out the flowers, which
were partially closed at this time, would open more lately in the day. We decided to keep
heading back into the savanna then check the flowers on the way back to the parking lot. As we
continued we came upon a transition zone: a thick overgrown pocosin. This habitat is much
different from the open savanna. A pocosin is comprised of woody plants, both trees and
shrubs, growing so thick it creates a nearly impenetrable thicket. Fortunately there is a trail with
a boardwalk cut through the pocosin. The narrow path through the dense vegetation isn’t a
favorable place for those who are claustrophobic.
Once you exit the boardwalk you enter into an open canopy of the savanna again. It reminds
me of entering a cathedral from a dark hallway. Plenty of pitcher plants were standing tall from
the wiregrass. Of course the pitchers are torn and brown this time of year. Skip did find a nice
clump of purple pitcher plants in good shape, and one Venus flytrap, which Joe stopped to
photograph. We took our time observing those plants both in bloom and long since passed. We
made our way to one of the back savannas where we found the rare, elusive Grass of Parnassus.
Only two plants were in bloom this time, far less than last year. Today was 4 days earlier than
last year’s hike so perhaps the flowers were just getting started.
After getting a text message from Kimberli we made our way back to the parking lot. As we
reached the backside of the pond near the parking lot, we spotted Kimberli and Kelly. They were
busy trying to find her lost lens cap, apparently a common occurrence. They got to meet Skip
albeit a short meeting. He had to cut the trip short because of a prior commitment. After eating
a snack for lunch our reduced by one gang headed back into the savanna. Kimberli got to
experience up close a savanna then a walk through an official pocosin via the boardwalk trail.
Upon returning to the parking lot we searched for some flytraps. Found a couple, but not nearly
the number I’ve seen in the past. Poaching has become a big problem decimating the native
populations in and around Green Swamp. It was about 3 p.m. when we decided to call it a day.
We finished our outing with pizza(and cheesesticks) in Shallotte. After our meal Joe headed to
Myrtle Beach while the Buffaloes and I returned home.
A good time had by all.
If you are looking for books on hiking,
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photography, wildflowers or just about
any other subject check out Amazon.com
| The pond at Green Swamp |
Walking across the savanna(off the main trail) you might think it to be an
easy task. After all this is the flatlands, no hills or valleys here. To the
casual observer there are no visible hazards. Well, as a couple of us found
out the land isn’t complete level. Scattered throughout the savanna are
shallow ditches, fallen trees, and holes formed by long since decayed tree
stumps all hidden by the wiregrass. Stepping into one could cause injury.
Luckily no missteps or falls this time, and no snakes. Did see a couple
snakeroot plants in bloom though.
easy task. After all this is the flatlands, no hills or valleys here. To the
casual observer there are no visible hazards. Well, as a couple of us found
out the land isn’t complete level. Scattered throughout the savanna are
shallow ditches, fallen trees, and holes formed by long since decayed tree
stumps all hidden by the wiregrass. Stepping into one could cause injury.
Luckily no missteps or falls this time, and no snakes. Did see a couple
snakeroot plants in bloom though.
Our leisurely stroll took us deeper into the pinelands. We took time to
observe our surroundings, and remark on how neat this place was. Joe and
Kelly spotted a blooming Parnassus plant off the trail near the edge of the
pocosin. Kimberli and I were lagging behind taking a picture of a narrowleaf
sunflower. The petals were aglow with a golden yellow from the sun was
shining on the front of the flower. We couldn’t resist stopping to snap a
shot or two.
observe our surroundings, and remark on how neat this place was. Joe and
Kelly spotted a blooming Parnassus plant off the trail near the edge of the
pocosin. Kimberli and I were lagging behind taking a picture of a narrowleaf
sunflower. The petals were aglow with a golden yellow from the sun was
shining on the front of the flower. We couldn’t resist stopping to snap a
shot or two.
