Ranger Sarah hike up onto the lava flow. The McCartys Flow is the most recent lava flow in the Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field, and is one of thes youngest lava flows in the Southwest. It is approximately 3,900 years old.
— at El Malpais National Monument.
We've had a tonne of rain recently. While walking along the trail I stumbled upon this verdant green watershed! Some of the greenest plants I've ever seen!
One of my fave & usually #isolated, #seaside#HikingTrails. This is the easygoing section. Further along the trail - several offshoot trails go to several different areas - most are very steep/rocky inclines that take you up mountain summits. I usually avoid the really steep trails & only have completed 2 summits. It's too difficult for me to do more with leg braces & a cane.
Ranger Sarah has arrived at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Nebraska. Known for a large number of well-preserved Miocene fossils. Fossils from the Harrison Formation and Anderson Ranch Formation, which date to the Arikareean in the North American land mammal classification, about 20 to 16.3 million years ago, are among some of the best specimens of Miocene mammals.
Ranger Sarah has spotted a short-horned lizard, sometimes called the horny toad. Can you see it, it blends in perfectly with the rocks behind it. This little guy is commonly sited around the rocks near the Fossil Hills trail. Short-horned lizards are between two and six inches long with pointy spines on their head and body.
Ranger Sarah studies the trail sign for the 1 mile loop Daemonelix Trail. A Daemonelix are large spirals. At first thought to be the fossil remains of gigantic plants, they were later identified as the fossilized casts of spiral burrows made by ancient beavers called Palaeocastor.
— at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
Ranger Sarah learns about the ancient sand dunes. This 22 million year old sand dune is the oldest land form exposed in the Niobrara Valley. The sandstone is composed of fine volcanic material that were transported by the wind from volcanic areas in Utah and Nevada.
— at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
I'm loving the arrival of spring! Bright blue skies and golden sun. Can't wait for the plants down below to shake off winter and embrace their spring garb.
Ranger Sarah at the entrance to to Lignite Cave. The cave is home to tricolor bats, cave salamanders, slimy salamanders, cave crickets, and pickerel frogs.
— at Roaring River State Park, Missouri.
🧵 1/6
40 years ago today: After crossing Pollywog Stream on a logging road bridge, the AT proceeded to Rainbow Stream, which it followed for a good distance upstream.
🧵 1/4
40 years ago today: The AT followed the Arnold Trail for almost two miles. It crossed a flat, very boggy area surrounding the inlet stream for Middle Carry Pond but stayed well to the north and out of sight of the pond itself.
🧵 1/5
40 years ago today: There was some steep, rocky scrambling down into the col between Mount Hayes and Cascade Mountain. Cascade was a visual feast.
🧵 1/3
40 years ago today: Took a day off the trail. From 6/3/83: The new trail route, for most of the distance to Don Nelan Shelter, either passed through private lands or followed rural lanes. From the highway, it climbed steeply through high pastures baking under a relentless sun.
🧵 1/2
40 years ago today: The first couple of miles followed a congenial little brook up to Little Rock Pond. I have seen so many mountain lakes lately, but this may have been the nicest of all. Nestled in a narrow valley between two good-sized peaks,
Please enjoy & excuse my not smiling face.
I wanted to show folks that nature never wastes anything. I wanted to show how this dead tree is feeding new life growths & how many animals benefit from us letting nature do its thing.