More Mohican

After a good bit of travel I have come to realize, Mohican's beauty and diversity ranks with any place across the nation.  Some days I despair that much of my work is endless.  Trying to save a forest and park "from" the very folks we thought were invested in protecting them... it is the very definition of insanity.

The light on the Clear Fork river plays through the Hemlock trees, an Ohio Scenic River and a keystone species; Mohican's eco-system crumbles without them.

Canada Yew, Taxus canadensis is indicative of northern forests. Here is a thriving stand in Mohican, on the most popular trail- The Big Lyons Falls. Amazing, for mid-Ohio.

Flowering (or Fragrant) Raspberry, Rubus odoratus with bumblebee,  another plant species that says "north woods."  This is easily the most beautiful of the Rubus family, and commonly found in the deep shade of the sandstone and Hemlock trees of Mohican.

 A juvenile Bald Eagle posed for us.  It was a mega teaching oportunity.  Ben Warner got the bird in his spotting scope and we encouraged passer-bys to look at the majestic bird.  This youngster in transitional plumage created quite a stir with novices. They couldn't believe that was a "real" eagle!

Toeing the line...

As we left the forest, a very young fox kit was working the road edge.  One might have thought it was play, until a chipmunk with very poor timing chose to cross the road.  Immediately this kit pounced toward the prey, with no luck.  Hopefully he will get the next one and live long enough to have kits of his own.

Each time I return to Mohican, something amazing happens.  And it is all free to those willing to take the time to open their eyes to nature and welcome the wonders of the world into their heart.

If you are interested in protecting our state forest, please go to www.Mohicanadvocates.org and watch the video on Mohican or Malabar Farm.  You figure out what you need to do next.

Mohican John's River

Mohican's Covered Bridge is an icon of the natural areas in my parts.  And as many times I have been there in the last 6 years, it always offers something new.

Recently, the tale of "Mohican John" was unfolded to me.  The first surveyors encountered him on the river, and the rest is history.  Or at least frequently told folklore.

But the real story of  Mohican revolves around the water.  Water that trickles through the sandstone and  forms rivulets coursing down to the river.  Water that nourishes spring wild flowers and fruit along the riverine corridor.

Flowering Raspberries grow near the covered bridge,  enlarged, soft purple flowers that far surpass the beauty of most members of the Rubus family. 

                              The water flows cold and free.        

                      The fish are (almost) fearless.

And hemlock line the trails, giving shade to the hikers and creating habitat for Winter Wrens.

The waters of the Mohican are pristine and pure.  It is one of Ohio's Scenic Rivers.  And those of us who live here feel it is important to keep it that way.