I went hiking on Saturday and came across a bloom I’d never seen before.

This strange and quite large flower was growing by itself at the edge  of the woods and a mucky field. It was on a single stalk emerging from the ground, with a few old chewed up leaves at its base. When I first saw the flash of red at the edge of the field, I thought it was just some tree leaves that had gotten caught on some sticks. It wasn’t until I got closer that I saw how remarkably the bloom was.

Unfortunately, a thunderstorm was blowing in and I didn’t have my camera, so I left the area and determined to hike back again after church on Sunday so I could find the flower again and take pictures.

I did, and found it again. The first time I saw it, I thought it was not all the way open – but on closer inspection, I don’t think it was ever meant to open all the way.

After taking photos, two of my daughters and I hiked farther back into the swamp to see what else we might find.

To our delight, we found some of the most remarkably plants we’ve ever seen. First one, in the muck beneath some pines:

And then more:

And then, in a clearing, a lot more!

Pitcher plants everywhere!

As we hiked, we made a further discovery. The origin of our mysterious red flower was revealed!

Beside multiple pitcher plants were blooms just like the one we had found standing alone in the field.

Now that was an interesting nature walk.

“Flies welcome!”