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Devil's Club

by RHH
These are the berries of Oplopanax horridus, the Devil's Club or Devil's Walking Stick, so-named for the thorns with which the plant is covered and a common shrubby plant here in the Pacific Northwest. I've posted this, however, for the story that goes with it. I was hiking the Heliotrope Ridge trail with brother Tim who was a bit ahead of me. I stepped up on some mossy (and slippery rocks) to take a picture of these berries and slipped and fell. I rolled across the trail and down the slope on the other side of the trail, all the time trying to protect my camera. My downward progress was arrested by another clump of these plants. Tim, who heard my yell of dismay came running back to help me extricate myself. Apart from a few bumps and bruises I was uninjured except for a lot of thorns in my hands and and arms and legs, thorns I am still trying to get out. Further down the trail I also discovered I had lost my water bottle, a bottle that is merely an old Gatorade bottle wrapped in duct tape (for fixing anything that breaks). Not a great loss in itself, but it has gone with me uncounted years and many miles and I didn't want to lose it. We looked for it and found it in the clump of Devil's Club when we came back down. Even that, however, was not the end of the story. When I was home again and looked at my pictures I had a whole series of blurs among them. I must have had my finger on the shutter as I rolled across the trail and down the hill and they were the result.
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16 comments

Esther said:

That is an amazing story!
11 years ago

William Sutherland said:

Phenomenal capture and terrific story! Glad you weren't hurt!
11 years ago

Don Sutherland said:

Gorgeous capture. I'm happy to learn that you were unhurt and your camera was also ok.
11 years ago

RHH replied to Don Sutherland:

Yes, the camera was okay.
11 years ago

Helena Ferreira said:

Absolutely gorgeous!
11 years ago

slgwv said:

At least you got a story out of it, Ron! ;)
11 years ago

RHH replied to slgwv:

A story and a lot of little stickers.
11 years ago

Bruce Dean (Puchinpa… said:

My experience with devil's club has been less violent. I found mine close to a river and waterfall. They love the mist. These berries are bright and attractive but inedible. I am glad your camera is alright... and you too. :)
11 years ago

Pam J said:

Oh Ron !!!

But it was the last part that had me laughing... the ever avid photographer taking pics as you fell ! Albeit accidentally... but it just typified what we go through sometimes for "that shot" !!!

Admired in ~ I ♥ Nature
11 years ago

Stormlizard said:

Beautiful to view if not to hold.
11 years ago

J. Gafarot said:

Excellent contrasty picture. Sorry for the thorns, Ron.
11 years ago

Nora Caracci said:

there is really a devil's touch on your adventure :)
but this is an excellent shot anyway !
hope now everything is well, Ron
11 years ago

Scott Lilley said:

Great shot,happy to hear you are o k after you're misadventure.
11 years ago

DOMCHO said:

Piquante aventure qui se termine bien
Et la découverte d'une plante totalement inconnue
11 years ago ( translate )