SAPS-NCGA: Flat Laurel Creek with Matt Bushman

FLAT LAUREL CREEK WITH MATT BUSHMAN - July 12, 2018

The walk at Flat Laurel Creek with Matt Bushman was another wonderful SAPS adventure.

Most of us had been on the trail before, but it felt new to see it with Matt as he pointed out the many unusual, rare and beautiful species in this diverse landscape. An added bonus was having Dan Pittillo (and all his knowledge and history) with us. We loved listening to Dan and Matt discuss various species.

We started the morning with a walk to a cranberry bog where (in addition to mountain cranberry), we saw Green Woodland Orchids and an overwhelming number of Twayblade Orchids. On the Laurel Creek Trail, we saw masses of Bush Honeysuckle and the beautiful St. John’s Wort, Hypericum graveolens. The trail then opened into a meadow, which was a former disturbed NC Wildlife Commission wildlife opening that was converted to a native seed nursery trail bed 20 years ago - interesting meadow plants including native and non-native grasses. We lunched on rocks at Flat Laurel Creek and finished the walk through a wooded area. The woods opened up, with lovely vistas (and no rain!) as we returned to the parking area.

On the way back, some of us stopped at the Wolf Mountain Overlook and the wonderful rock cliff seep with its rare and unusual species that we never tire of.

Our list of species was long and varied, but I’ve not listed them here.

As usual, it’s Karen’s photos that tell it best.