Third Saturday Nature Walk – August 21, 2021

Bill Dunson will lead the Third Saturday Nature Walk near Boone, NC, on Aug. 21, 2021, at 9-11 am starting at the Elk Mountain Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From the intersection of US 421 and the Parkway drive north 2.0 miles and park at the overlook. We will walk northward a short distance examining the roadside plants in the cut-over and seasonally mowed areas, and enter a loop of the Mountain to Sea Trail to the left. An approximately one mile walk will return us to the parkway.

We will identify plants and animals seen in the varied habitats present, and discuss the factors that contribute to the living communities present. We will especially consider the historic factors involved and practice our skills in “forest forensics.” A good introductory guide to this approach in New England is a book by Tom Wessels.

The photos illustrate some of the varied habitats to be seen along the roadside and in the forest. Three flowers currently blooming that are of interest are Indian tobacco (a lobelia), horse balm (a mint) and bellflower (shown with its preferred pollinator a bumblebee). Many other plants will challenge our abilities to identify them and to place them within the ecological context of these communities. I heard a yellow billed cuckoo there recently and we will be listening and looking for birds.

No dogs or smoking please. Rain or shine. No reservations. Most of us will be vaccinated but wear covid masks or not- your choice. Contact wdunson@comcast.net for additional information.

Bill Dunson is a retired professor of biology from Penn State University. You can access his nature blog at:
https://lemonbayconservancy.org/news/nature-notes-by-bill-dunson/