Keeping Faith with the North

Sharpe

2/14/2017

Keeping Faith with the North:

For this week's reading, we had to read chapter five of the book "Mountains of the Heart" by Scott Weidensaul. Within the first few pages, even though the author is describing the beauty of nature, he goes on talking about a type of bird. He states that "I've always been drawn to ravens" (Weidensaul, 112). I have a little trouble with this statement, because unlike a few of my friends, I do not like to be messing with superstition. And in this case, ravens are a minor part of folklore, or superstition. Usually being described as an evil bird, ominous, and even bad luck.

Common Raven

(Author: Unknown)

Photo Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corvus_corax_(Common_Raven),_Yosemite_NP,_CA,_US_-_Diliff.jpg

Another great part of the Appalachian Mountains is the variety of plants within the region. Just as Weidensaul states in his book, "Oak communities make up the bulk of the southern and central Appalachians. while New England is a patchwork of the buff depicting northern hardwood forest of maple, beech, and birch" (Weidensaul, 116-117). These trees, especially the maple and of the birch tree is the most recognizable trees within North America. Maple trees are used for gathering maple syrup, and birch is an excellent type of wood used for firewood. Maple trees are so recognizable, that a maple leaf has found its way to be on the Canadian flag.

Canadian Flag

(Author: George F.G. Stanley)

Photo Location: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Canada

Yellow Birch (leaves )

(Author: Keith Kanoti)

Photo Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B_alleghaniensis_02.jpg

One interesting thing that Weidensaul described was from Mount Mitchell. Where "measurements from Mount Mitchell, where most of the firs have also died, have recorded pH readings as low as 2.12" (Weidensaul, 121). I do not know if this is true, and if this is the pH of the soil, or pH of rainwater, it poses a serious threat in the long run. If the pH level is in fact describing the soil, I am surprise if there is anything alive on the mountain at all. And if it the pH of rainfall, it would surely degrade the soil, and devastate the local wildlife populations.

Location of Mount Mitchell

(Author: Unknown)

Photo Location: http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=19501

Book Citation:

Weidensaul, S. (2016). Mountains of the Heart: A Natural History of the Appalachians. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.