What We Learned from Redwoods, Part II

In this post we'll highlight a few of the other features of the redwood forests beyond the trees. As magnificent as the trees are, they do grow old and die (after 2,000 years of living). When these giants go horizontal they become what are known as "nurse logs" These logs decay for years (decades probably) and provide nourishment for many kinds of plant and animal life on the forest floor.


From the above picture one gets a sense of all the ferns that take advantage of nurse logs, but other trees also take root around these decaying substrates. Trees that grow and spread their roots around the fallen trunks are known as "octopus trees" because as the nurse log rots away it leaves behind an empty space with fairly large tree roots apparently suspended in air.


Besides the octopus trees, we also managed to see some really amazing large mammals.  Roosevelt Elk are in rut this time of year, and as we hiked we often heard the crash of antlers colliding as the males sparred with each other in displays of aggression and dominance. In addition to the Roosevelt Elk we also saw many black-tailed deer. These were new to us since throughout the east coast one only sees white-tailed deer.


Another plant feature found throughout these forests are ferns, ferns, and more ferns. In fact, there's one location in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park named Fern Valley because ferns cover nearly all of the wall space in a deep ravine. This is a very wet area and also home to a somewhat rare red-legged frog.

Visiting national and state parks within our country offers outstanding opportunities to view and experience wildlife in their natural habitats.  In our month of travel we've been stunned and delighted by the animals we've encountered, and our hearts are a little heavy at the fact that Redwoods may have been our last opportunity on this trip of a lifetime to see such diversity.  Still we've had a tremendous experience, and as we turn east to make our way home, we're striving for gratitude for all that we've had.