Bladderwort — Craig Elston

Tag: Bladderwort

Get Out of the Boat

September

Purple-Bladderwort-From-Kayak

While I have taken some nice photos from the kayak or canoe (especially of birds), I recently decided to get out of the boat for much better pictures of some bladderworts and water lilies. It is difficult to hand hold or use a long lens from a boat that doesn’t really stop moving. The desired angle can also be difficult to achieve and how close can you really get while setting in a boat? The photo above was taken from my kayak. Not terrible and maybe usable until you compare it with the ones taken from a tripod. So after not being satisfied with images like this I decided to go back the next morning and wear hip boots to keep the leeches of and stay somewhat dry. Since my new and best tripod should be taken all apart and cleaned after being in the water or mud, I decided to pull out the old aluminum tripod. It doesn’t have a ball head but much less mess and work to clean, plus it is considerably heavier which helps with stability when sitting on the lake bottom. I could now us my macro lens and get the affect I was after. Oh yea, don’t forget to remove the strap if you try this.

Purple-Bladderwort-From-Tripod

White-Water-Lily-From-Tripod

Sometimes the right equipment isn’t just camera gear, but appropriate clothing to keep us safe and give some versatility to working in different environmental conditions. Muck and hip boots can also be good for those muddy areas along the shoreline. Also if the older tripod or other equipment is still usable it may be worth keeping around. I currently have 3 tripods at my disposal due to upgrades over the last 10 or 12 years and they all have a specific purpose of possible use while my newest and best tripod is my main go to tripod.

Over the coming months I plant to share tips to help with getting better nature images (especially flowers). I am also looking at giving a combination “photo/interpretive” eco-tour in the spring which will give instructions on flower photography and information about the subjects. Details will be posted when available.

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Nearby Camp Newaygo Wetland

August

I have mentioned local areas to explore in the past and from time to time I will write about specific parks or natural areas. One such natural area about an hour from my home is the Wetland Tail at Camp Newaygo. This is a great place for those who may be a little less venturous or if you are concerned about causing damage to a wetland community by walking in it. This wetland trail is mostly boardwalk that meanders through wetland and bog but also skirts the edges of two ponds. It is an easy walk, being mostly flat with a couple of very slight inclines in the woods at either end. There is a fair amount of interesting flora that many may not see otherwise. The only plant you need to watch out for is the Poison Sumac and that is easily identified. It is not recommended to step of the boardwalk as you will sink over your head in some places and could cause damage to plants by stepping on them. There is much to see from or right next to the boardwalk.

Swamp Loosestrife

The ponds which are acidic show no signs of plant life in the water, but the edges are surrounded right to the water’s edge by Swamp Loosestrife that yields a beautiful pink flower. Near the end of the first boardwalk and the middle of the second this species hangs right over the edges of the boardwalk. Button Bushes also seem to enclose the path ahead of you in a couple of places, but take time to smell these round balls of flowers if they are in bloom. Also watch for butterflies and other pollinators that frequent the fragrant blooms.

Wild Calla

In the open bog area look for Virginia Chain-Fern, Cotton Grass, Wild Calla, Three-Way Sedge and Leather Leaf as all grow right next to the boardwalk. The large and showy white spathe of the Wild Calla is a definite treat as many people don’t realize we have a native calla in Michigan. The fact that so many species are right next to the boardwalk makes this a great place to see bog plants.

Arrow-Arum

As you enter the trail from the small parking area there is a high number of floral species including the robust Arrow-Arum, Mad-Dog Skullcap and several other spring and summer bloomers. At the north ends of both boardwalks, look for Horned Bladderwort. They are right next to west boardwalk and it is easy to see the tiny bladders. Another carnivorous plant that can be found here is the Round-Leaved Sundew.

This and many other areas that may be close to your home are worth a visit.

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Allegan

September

September is a great time to get out and enjoy the out of doors in West Michigan. The temperatures are more comfortable than they have been during the summer and pesky insects are not as numerous. Colors are becoming more vibrant as the trees begin to turn colors and late season flowers kick into high gear. I recently spent a morning in the Allegan State Game area near Allegan, Michigan. As I traversed the roads, preferring to stick to as many gravel roads as possible, there was much to see. One stop to check out a Pin Oak tree also yielded a substantial patch of Prickly Pear Cactus and a Buckeye Butterfly plus numerous birds. Along the roads were Great Blue Lobelias, Bidens, Big Bluestem grasses, native sunflowers, wild turkeys and much more.

Eli Lake

I revisited Eli Lake, a place I had not been since on a camping trip with a boys group from church as a young boy. Eli is a small, but beautiful lake. Like so many other lakes this year, it is low from the drought. The low water levels however expose a deferent flora and give easy access to some very interesting sights. As you begin to walk the reed lined shore, the Green Frogs squeak and jump for the water by the dozens. If you watch where they land, you may find them quietly sitting in the water. Enormous groups off Water Boatmen beetles swirl on the surface of the lake like little black boats stuck going in circles. In the shallow water at the edges are the pink flowers for Bladderworts and the white Pipeworts, and a little further out are white water lilies. Bog plants such as Sundew, Laurels and Cranberry can be found along the edges. Also along the edges are a St. John’s –wort new to me, I have narrowed it down to 2 possible species but need more work to be sure which one it is. The Bladderworts with their bladders under water and the sticky pads of the Sundew are both waiting to capture insects for nourishment. Tupelo trees are beginning to turn to their brilliant fall red color which contrasts brilliantly with the surround green foliage of other trees and shrubs. Above the high water level of the bank before the trees look for large areas of ferns and marsh St. John’s -wort. In the open shade between the parking area and the beach were violets.

Sometimes the close by home public lands and parks are the best places to visit and explore. West Michigan offers many great opportunities. If you live here or are visiting, take advantage of our rich natural areas on publicly owned lands.

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