- Joined
- Nov 5, 2009
- Messages
- 538
Hello everyone,
Well, there's nothing like a hike in between heavy rains. The colors, smells, the mists.
In the Northern California Coastal Redwoods, it becomes a magical realm. It is also a place to witness a very unique ecology.
The California Native word for the Redwoods was 'Fogcatchers'. This alludes much to their function: the thin needles and gullied bark help capture moisture in the air from the coast, and use it to water their shallow roots. They are classified as temperate rainforests.
There are three types: Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), and the famous Giant Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum), the legendary giants among all trees.
Unfortunately, logging, mismanagement and drought have led to their endangerment. Recently, the green carpets have become matted browns, awaiting the next big fire.
However, sometimes little gems are right nearby. A little stroll down the road, noticing animal sign and a small wooded entrance can quickly open up to this:
To find a healthy spot, relatively untouched, is still magic!
This is a spot I enjoy heading out to. The amazing thing is it is across the main road, walking distance, nestled between two properties, and once in, it opens up to a healthy 70 acres of Redwood forest! The only human sign is an overgrown fire road.
The area is so misty and so foggy, that my camera lens quickly became useless. Darkness also falls fast. I was only able to snap off a few shots prior!
I took very noticeable deer trails. Some useful natives: Bracken fern, CA. Bay Laurel, Pacific Coast Iris...
Interesting to see edible California Rose growing along Deer trails, it seems the deer are doing their part to spread the seed!
Burnt out trunks are a common sight. Make excellent shelters as well as a charcoal source!
It's amazing how warm the relative humidity keeps this environment. Inside, you would never think it was winter!
More to come!!!
Well, there's nothing like a hike in between heavy rains. The colors, smells, the mists.
In the Northern California Coastal Redwoods, it becomes a magical realm. It is also a place to witness a very unique ecology.
The California Native word for the Redwoods was 'Fogcatchers'. This alludes much to their function: the thin needles and gullied bark help capture moisture in the air from the coast, and use it to water their shallow roots. They are classified as temperate rainforests.
There are three types: Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), and the famous Giant Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum), the legendary giants among all trees.
Unfortunately, logging, mismanagement and drought have led to their endangerment. Recently, the green carpets have become matted browns, awaiting the next big fire.
However, sometimes little gems are right nearby. A little stroll down the road, noticing animal sign and a small wooded entrance can quickly open up to this:
To find a healthy spot, relatively untouched, is still magic!
This is a spot I enjoy heading out to. The amazing thing is it is across the main road, walking distance, nestled between two properties, and once in, it opens up to a healthy 70 acres of Redwood forest! The only human sign is an overgrown fire road.
The area is so misty and so foggy, that my camera lens quickly became useless. Darkness also falls fast. I was only able to snap off a few shots prior!
I took very noticeable deer trails. Some useful natives: Bracken fern, CA. Bay Laurel, Pacific Coast Iris...
Interesting to see edible California Rose growing along Deer trails, it seems the deer are doing their part to spread the seed!
Burnt out trunks are a common sight. Make excellent shelters as well as a charcoal source!
It's amazing how warm the relative humidity keeps this environment. Inside, you would never think it was winter!
More to come!!!
we're supposed to be getting a bunch of rain next week actually...
