The light rain didn’t bother me, nor did it seem like any of the critters I encountered during my wet walk were too concerned about the warm precipitation either. In fact, the spring shower appeared to stir even more activity in the woods, and seemed to make the vibrant, green colors of the forest, even greener! The forest I was wandering around in was part of a larger tract of eastern deciduous forest nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Appalachian Mountains are among the oldest mountains in the world. Extending nearly 2,000 miles from Newfoundland, Canada south to Alabama, they form a natural border between the coastal plain to the east, and the interior lowlands to the west. The forests that cover this impressive range hosts some of the most diverse plant and animal species on the planet. To the north, the tree communities are primarily made up of conifers such as fir, spruce and hemlocks. As you travel south, the plant diversity increases, and the mountain ridges, slopes and valleys change to broadleaf deciduous plants such as oak, maple, ash, beech, hickory, birch, walnut and poplar. Growing under these canopies you may find shrubs such as Mountain Laurel, azaleas, spicebush, blueberries, serviceberry and viburnums.
I love the Appalachians in May. To spend time hiking in these mountainous woodlands is almost spiritual. Add a little rainfall and the lush, forested landscape transforms into a bustling, but beautiful, natural community-from the forest floor to the highest reaches of the tree canopy! Throw in dashes of brilliant-colored songbirds (along with a few of their delightful songs) and a mosaic of blooming wildflowers and trees, and you have beautiful, living canvas of dazzling colors and sounds all around you!
The green deciduous forest is dotted with lots of colorful songbirds (above) each spring, including (from top left to bottom right) Blackburnian warblers, Hooded warblers, Black & White warblers and Wood thrush.
The White Trillium (left) and Wild Azalea (right) can be found in rich, deciduous woodlands
Many species of birds are migrating through at this time of year, while others may already be busy with nesting and defending territories. The woodland wildflowers are in full bloom-some bold and showy, some delicate and hidden. Other forest animals like chipmunks, squirrels, deer, bear and fox stay occupied by finding food and caring for their young ones.
Theresa and I venture out to the forests whenever we have time. It’s our time together-a hike in a local park, bike ride along a scenic rail trail, or just a walk in the woods with our binoculars. We love the woods, and we hope we never stop discovering “the forest through the trees!” As Nathaniel Hawthorne once said, “We must not always talk in the market-place of what happens to us in the forest.”
Get Out & About in a forest this spring! Cheers!