WWOOFing Part 10: Hunt for Ephemeral Wild Flowers in Shake Rag Hollow

This is a busy time of year for my WWOOF host Jonathan to be out searching for ephemeral and/or blooming plants and flowers so last week after working into the mid-afternoon we headed out to Shake Rag Hollow. Shake Rag is an area along the 20 mile Perimeter Trail that runs along the bluff line on Sewanee Domain, the biologically diverse area that is deeded to the University of the South. All the parts of the trail I’ve seen so far have been beautiful and I’ve posted pictures of those outings before, but I loved Shake Rag for the views of the cliffs on the descent in addition to the gorgeous flowers. Jonathan found some rare Service Berry trees that he geo-tagged and uploaded using an app and we found a ridiculous number of different violets as well, ranging from purples to yellows. Laura and Cypress came with us too which made for a really fun afternoon hike.

Trail into Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Trail into Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Jonathan recording Service Berry sighting into iNaturalist, Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Jonathan recording Service Berry sighting into iNaturalist, Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Eroded rock, Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Eroded rock, Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Water dripping from cliffs, Shake Rag Hollow Trail, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Water dripping from cliffs, Shake Rag Hollow Trail, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

False Hellebore leaves (non blooming lily), Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

False Hellebore leaves (non blooming lily), Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Looking up at the cliffs on the descent into Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Looking up at the cliffs on the descent into Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Jonathan, Laura, and Cypress hiking back up from Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Jonathan, Laura, and Cypress hiking back up from Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Carolina Spring Beauty in Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Carolina Spring Beauty in Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Me taking a picture with Jonathan and Cypress hiking back up Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee

Me taking a picture with Jonathan and Cypress hiking back up Shake Rag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, Sewanee Domain, Tennessee