A few days ago, we had the opportunity to visit the Brown’s Lake Bog nature preserve to explore the different plant and animal life which was visible during the winter months here in Ohio. Being on lower ground, the bog was essentially right at a water table, received all and covered enough ground to give way to various wetland vegetation. As a matter of fact, the ground is so saturated with water that someone could move a tree singlehandedly by jumping up and down on the ground.
We were able to see the growth of pitcher plants, sphagnum moss, a few ferns, and many dead, but not dried out plant stalks, and cotton. There was not much wildlife to see at this time of year either, expect for a couple of birds. The pitcher plants at first looked like dead leaves, but they were very much alive. They sustain themselves in wetlands by feeding on insects that get trapped in their flower, much like the Venus Fly Trap in warmer bog climates.
Although we were unable to experience full potential of beauty that the nature preserve had to offer, we were still able to understand Brown’s Bog as a unique site, with different internal processes which creates its environment.