We monitored all around the Hockey Pond today. The spathulate-leaved sundew were bigger than ever (these two plants were each about 3 inches in diameter, almost twice as large as most years). Sundew are insectivorous. The drops on the ends of the leaves are sticky. This poor little damselfly was stuck at both his ends.
Believe it or not, this is the rarest plant in Ohio. It is a Northern Appressed Club-moss. We have been keeping a weary eye on it for many years; tough to find on the mucky pond shore and not impressive once found. Last year the big news was that it had a side branch (hold your applause). This year, it has doubled in size and is now about six inches long. And that's not the best part. The vertical structure is a fruiting body. So, maybe next year we will see another flat, short, mossy baby plant. Quite exiting - if you are a rare plant enthusiast.
We also monitored Sweet Fern, Scaly Blazing Star, Sessile-leaved Tick-trefoil, Thyme-leaved Pinweed, and Greene's Rush (I love the names). And, while we were counting Hoary Mountain Mint, we found this little guy. It's hard to believe he is a Gray Tree frog - the same species we found earlier in the year (see 5/28/13 post). His Latin name is Hyla versicolor - indicating the various shades they come in. He was not happy to be discovered and hopped from plant to plant. We finally gave up our efforts to get a better photo.
Such an interesting place you're wandering in. And think. Most area residents have no notion that it's there.
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