Empty pond

No baby ducks today.  

 

Pickerel weed

Just because it has the word "weed" in it's name, doesn't mean it's not beautiful.  This Pickerel weed grows in wetlands.  (see here)

 

Wetland

This tiny bit of wetland is a sample of what could be lost by the Supreme Court's decision to unprotect the majority of wetlands in the US.  (see here for an explanation)  

 

Not welcome

This lovely little flower is a Chameleon Plant.  It comes from Asia and is very invasive.   An article from Southern Living magazine says that the only way to get rid of it is to "Set off a tactical nuclear weapon in your garden. Pave over your garden with a foot of concrete."(see here)

We found it growing wild on the banks of a wetland.  It has already invaded!

 

After the Rain

After 2.5 inches of rain in 24 hours, there was water in places that are almost always dry,

A temporary swamp.

 

Candelabra

The cattails in the wetlands looked like lighted candles.

 

Reflective swamp

The murky dark water reflected the sky very well.

 

Sometimes a swamp

This area is usually dry, but high water from the Neuse river filled it up.

 

slimy swamp

The algae is growing in the swampy wetlands.  

Quiet

Everything was quiet.  Not even a bird call or a breeze disturbed the silence.

The Canals are alive

Great Egret

During a recent trip to Hatteras Island we were amazed at the number of wading birds in the sound.

Green Heron

Tricolored Heron

And hidden in the grasses, Egret meets Heron.

Wetland at Brookhaven

The walkway out to the wetlands, Brookhaven Nature Park.

We didn't spot any wildlife, except of course mosquitos.

Brookhaven Nature Park

Brookhaven Nature Park is nestled in a 1960's housing development.  It is in an area of gullies and drainage that probably was not buildable.  So this little park exists.

It has several trails, with many little bridges over the gullies,

a walkway to view a small wetland,

courtesy of the Junior Women's Club.

Lizard's tail

No, not a reptile at all.  It's a wetlands plant called lizard's tail because of the way the flowers grow.  They're pretty much native to the Eastern US. (see here)

Arrowhead plant

The Arrowhead is a wetlands plant.  We found it in an area that is sometimes flooded and sometimes dry.  I thought it looked like a houseplant that escaped, but it turns out it's a common plant native all over North America in wetlands. (See here.)