Today I paid a little more attention to the wildlife around me.
The most exciting creature I saw was a black bear but as is always the case he ran off before I could frame a shot. Many deer did the same thing but one allowed me to get quite close … that is, until I inhaled a fly and started to cough uncontrollably. The most threatening creature was a three foot long snake which I almost stepped on. While I saw many critters I heard many more. If I were a birder I’m sure I’d have been in bird-heaven!
The Shenandoah National Park has an incredible diversity of wildlife. “There are over 200 resident and transient bird species, over 50 species of mammals, 51 reptile and amphibian species, and 30 fish species found in the park.”I’m not interested enough to start looking for them but I find it particularly notable that there is a greater variety of birds in the park than in all of Europe. Me? I’m just satisfied watching with envy as the larger birds float on updrafts in a hollow from the valley below.
People as “creatures”? Well no but I did stumble across a few of them today. As you walk the Appalachian Trail you can’t help but marvel at how groomed it is. Rock steps make steep declines easy. Small logs run crosswise across the trail to divert water during rains. AT markers are on trees every few hundred yards. Signs and milestones keep you informed on distances to destinations. Huts, cabins, and campsites are well tended to very well. It’s really impressive.
Much of this attention is made possible because the National Park Service works with Appalachian Trail Conservancy. These good people put heart and soul (and money) into the trail. They organize volunteer efforts. They document and maintain the trail. They make it easy to enjoy the trail. I’ve found their guides and maps to be fantastic. I’m impressed by what they do.
So where does this put me on my progress scale down the AT?
I’m now 35 miles into my 105 mile journey. One third done!
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