Heggie's Rock
The Nature Conservancy is the steward of a number of natural areas in Georgia. I was able to participate in an early April photography walk of the incredible Heggie's Rock Preserve. Located in Columbia County, the area preserves 101 acres of Piedmont flat rock outcrop, wedged between two creeks. It is a granite dome, home to an abundance of small streams and shallow pools on its face that fill with water following rains, and subsequently bloom in striking colors and textures. A short trek through the forest opens to a rock and pool landscape - almost lunar, if the moon had water - ringed along the perimeter by tall oaks, pines, and hickory trees. Our group was lucky enough to visit the day after some severe southern thunderstorms (the first trip day was cancelled due to the heavy rain), which filled the pools and saturated the mosses and lichens with color.
The shallow pools have a name - they are vernal pools, or ephermeral pools, as they are temporary and will appear (and occasionally disappear) with water runoff or rain. They are home to a diversity of flora and fauna, and although I am unable to identify the plants or animals by sight I am told we saw Quillwort and Pool Sprites among the blooms. Heggie's Rock has an interesting history of changing owners and land use - however, the special nature of the area has been consistently recognized, and subsequently protected. The sensitive area is only accessible through supervised tours, and these are typically held twice a year for a few weekends.
Our photographer-leader described the area in a manner that I cannot get out of my head: "Remember . . . this will not be grand landscapes, but intimate and thrilling landscapes..."
