Pitcher plants are so interesting. They eat animals. Nature allows so much diversity in attaining nourishment. I would guess we all are familiar with the Venus Flytrap and many have seen these carnivorous plants too. There are so many varied and mind-boggling ways that life manifests itself, I don’t see how evolution can be doubted. Whether one believes in a supreme being or not, the evidence is there that life is still developing as we watch, albeit slowwwwwly. Who is to say that it isn’t part of a deity’s master plan?
Anyway, I’m not looking to start a religious debate…there are no winners, so why bother. Nature is wonderful and to be enjoyed and discovered with lessons to be learned. I don’t really care to anthropomorphize nature but, speaking of learning, I can’t help but see this as a few young pitchers sitting at the feet of a master gaining insect trapping wisdom. Guess I tripped a bit over the line there, huh? 🙂
Purple Pitcher Plant-Sarracenia purpurea
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
May the force be with you, grasshopper.
I know. That was mixed from two different stories.
Thank you, Master.
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I can see Caine and Luke hanging together so it seems a good combination to me, Jim.
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Anchors aweigh, and anthropomorphize away.
Your pitcher plants are more colorful than the ones I’ve seen in east Texas.
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I’ve seen pictures of some pretty amazing pitcher plants from elsewhere in the world, but ours are quite colorful. They get redder as the season wanes.
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I think sometimes I get redder when I wane too.
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Actually, I’m just sure I heard the story-teller regaling his audience with the legend of the Purple People Eater. Granted, they’re only plants, and people are big, but Per aspera ad astra, and all that.
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Of course…people can be laid quite low by the tiniest of organisms…although it would be quite a feat for a pitcher plant to devour a human…at least our locals. Maybe there are huge species elsewhere in the world. So I looked and, sure enough, there are some that are capable of digesting a full grown rat. Here’s a cool expedition showing several species with some added bonuses to the pitchers.
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By the time I finished watching this, I was ready to sign up. The pitcher plants were remarkable, but everything from the millipedes to the views from the summit were wonderful. Thanks for posting this — a great addition!
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I felt the same as the video went on. Such a diverse and beautiful world.
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Very nice, Steve. I would have to go check the species, but the one growing here in Illinois must be a different one from this because yours is far showier.
From time to time I have come across a story of a species busy evolving right before our eyes, as it were, and it always delights me. I’ve never understood why it is thought to be mutually exclusive, although like you I feel it isn’t worth debate.
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Well, I’ve evolved just by being married. 🙂
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Aww! Well said.
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Someone got to ‘Grasshopper’ before me. We had pitcher plants in our HK garden and it was always interesting to peer inside. Excellent photo again Steve.
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Did you find anything shocking being turned into soup in there, Andrew? I’ve only ever found insects within these.
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I don’t see the conflict between evolution and a supreme being, seems pretty hard to deny something that you can see, touch, and feel…Love the photo and agree that I am always amazed when I come across pitcher plants on a hike.
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Just another of nature’s amazing organisms, Charlie. Thanks.
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