Gentiana saponaria (Soapwort Gentian or Harvestbells) with Spiranthes cernua (Nodding ladies'-tresses orchid)

Just to take a brief break from Southwest vacation pictures, Walter and I went up to Eva Chandler Heritage Preserve in upstate Greenville County, South Carolina. I expected to find some Gentiana saponaria in bloom, and I was not disappointed. There were about two dozen plants scattered here and there close to the trail and next to the creek that feeds the cataract bog. These lovely blue flowers were in great shape, so we spent an hour or so selecting the ones we wanted to photograph.

After we were finished, we drove back home, stopping at our favorite Bar-B-Que roadside stand. Yuuuuuummmm!

This particular Gentian was blooming in the cataract bog beside some Spiranthes cernua (Nodding ladies'-tresses orchids). Pretty good combination...