For this week’s photography challenge, Diane of the Rambling Ranger is “talking about Mother Nature untouched and untrammeled, allowed to get on with her work without human help or hindrance.” Now that’s a real challenge, especially here in Florida where evidence of human help or hindrance is in overwhelming abundance. But Diane further notes that, “Even if your only access to the natural world is the local park, you will certainly find something wild in your world.” Okay, well, I do have some parks and forests around, and human help that I just can’t help but show.
In early April, my husband and I drove to a segment of the Apalachicola National Forest, expecting to find a field of pitcher plants, or more correctly, a Savannah wetland of pitcher plants. What we found instead were charred remains.
Above is my husband on the search for bugs and pitcher plants.
What we didn’t know was that the U.S. Forest Service had conducted a prescribed burn in the area back in late February. Prescribed burns are necessary to reduce the risk of wildfires and to maintain a unique ecosystem such as the Savannah wetland. Even though we were disappointed, I found good subjects to photograph.
Life on the rebound, especially among the pines.
Above are remnants of a hunting party, or maybe just a party. I actually did some trash pick-up while we were out, although I didn’t have enough bags to pick up this assortment of burned-out bottles. But see the green shoots … nothing can keep Mother Nature down for long.
A few weeks later, we returned.
What a difference six weeks can make! We were thrilled to find green everywhere and pitcher plants in abundance!
Pitcher plants are carnivorous, needing to get their nutrients from the insects that crawl into the pitcher part of the plant where they drown and are slowly digested. (It takes all kinds.) You can learn more about them here.
Flowers were everywhere as well, such as these tiny orchids (above).
This last (but not least) flower, I call “Jill’s Flower” because I think of her whenever I see a pretty combination of purple and yellow. (Y’all know I mean Jill Weatherholt.)
So, this is as wild as I get, folks. Given my achy-breaky knees, it was hard enough to squat down to get close and personal with the orchids, and then get back up.
I hope you enjoyed this walk on Marie’s wild side and will visit other photographers participating in this challenge.
If you care to join in, please remember to use the Lens-Artist tag and link to Diane’s original post (here). And heads up, next week’s challenge will be hosted by Patti and the “rules” are as follows: “From Large to Small. Here are the details: Pick a color and take several photos that feature that color. Start with a photo of a big subject in that color (for example, a wall) and move all the way down to a small subject in that same color (for example, an earring).“
Until then, stay safe, healthy, and happy!
Categories: iPhone photography
Marie A Bailey
Writer, blogger, knitter, cat lover, and introvert.
I always find it interesting to walk through a forested area just after it experienced a fire. Mother Nature is amazing with her ability to make a grandstanding comeback. (Like us!)
Brilliant pics.
Just getting ready to plant your last pic in my yard.
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Thanks, RoseMary!
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Terrific set of photos, Marie!!!! Great example of the Informed Shooter!!!
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Thank you, Leo! I really appreciate it 🙂
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Wonderful post, Marie! I love the “before” and “after” images. The power of Mother Nature to rejuvenate is remarkable. I didn’t know about the pitcher pant. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Patti!
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I’m so glad you went back, Marie. I loved seeing the rebound of the plants.
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Thank you, John. In truth, we just went too early, but I’m glad we did because it was so amazing to see the difference 🙂
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Fo your readers too.
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Great before and after, Marie – and I love the orchids!
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Thank you, Diane!
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Aw…thanks for sharing the “Jill flower” Marie! That’s so sweet of you. I loved all of your gorgeous photos. Your retirement has been a benefit to all of us. 🙂
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Oh, thank you so much, Jill!
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Wow Marie – the difference between your earlier visit and your second is incredible! I guess the proscribed burning really does work! I’d have thought it would take MUCH longer to come back. What a lovely spot although I must admit a carnivorous plant is a bit UGH for me LOL!
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Thank you, Tina! Yes, there is a something a little “ick” about a carnivorous plant 😉 I was amazed to see all the other flowers. Such a treat!
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Great photos, great time comparisons. Nature rebounds.
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Indeed it does, John! Thank you 🙂
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You created a beautiful post for the challenge. I’m taken by the strangeness of the burned-out bottles. Nothing I normally see. But the flowers, while different than the ones around here, are gorgeous.
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Thank you, Ally! Yeah, the bottles … sigh, but it did make for an interesting photo 😉
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I’m surprised more people don’t plant pitcher plants around their patios especially in the midwest and Florida where mosquitos are the size of tennis shoes. Your post is lovely. Thank you for telling the rest of the story. 🙂
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Thank you, Marsha! I’m not sure how well pitcher plants would do in a regular garden, but, gee, I’m going to look into because that’s a great idea 🙂 And thank you for your kind words about my post 🙂
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You’re welcome. I’ve never seen any at a nursery, but I’m going to have to check it out.
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What a great series. Thank you for showing us the before and after, Marie, beautifully captured. Nature has its power!
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Thank you, Amy! Much appreciated 🙂
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Hi Marie
This was an adventure and going from the charred visit to six weeks later seeing the beauty emerge again!
Also love the hand for scale because it did give a feel for the small size of that elegant bloom
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Wishing you a good weekend
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Thank you so much! I appreciate your visit and your kind words 🙂
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🙂
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