National Great Outdoors Month is celebrated in June and serves as a reminder to enjoy and appreciate our state parks and wildlife refuges. This observation, begun in 1998, encourages us to explore our parks and enjoy the beauty that awaits us in our natural world.
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In the same stop, Rudy and Jim find a species of reptile called the Green Anole lizard, and they describe the differences between a salamander and a lizard. Illustrating more of the forest’s diversity...
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When pieces of trees fall to the ground, nature has a way to recycle that debris. A species of mushroom known as the False Turkey Tail helps break down the rotting wood, adding nutrients to soil in...
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Cove forests are very popular with visitors, due to the rich bottom soil found here. One animal which does very well in these areas is the beaver. Its work can be seen here with its telltale signs of...
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The cove got its shape from streams of water periodically carving out the rock. Witch Hazel and Rhododendrons are species of plants which benefit from the moisture of nearby streams.
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In this next area, Rudy and Jim come across a raccoon skull, which was most likely killed by a predator. A canebrake rattlesnake rests coiled up on a bed of leaves, showing how it perfectly blends in...
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While strolling through the longleaf pine forest, Rudy and Jim come across a prominent moth. Its color pattern on the wings mimics tree bark near perfectly, making it tougher for predators to spot...
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The Earthstar is a star shaped species of fungus which commonly grows on these dunes.
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Rudy and Jim visit an ecotone, which is a line between two different habitats: one more dry, and one moister. Here we see a fetterbush, the inkberry or gallberry, which is another species of holly...
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Cypress Tupelo Swamp: The ground here close to Indian Lake is perfect for tree species such as old cypress, red maples, and tupelos. Water pennywort resides in the water itself, and mistletoe is both...
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Sandy Island features around thirteen plant communities. At their next stop, Rudy and Jim discuss the plant life which resides here. They talk about reindeer moss, a species of lichen, and what...
