We didn't get an early start on Sunday but we still made a long day of it. On Sunday I spent the day on Lick Log Ridge - that is adjacent to Coon Butt and More Licker Ridges (not kidding) near Cades Cove in GRSM- trasping up the steep slope, past the wet rhododendrons and bear-munched blueberry stands, through the mountain laurel, and among the various eastern yellow pine species. Among the pines I was searching for "cat faces" - a characteristic fire scar at the base of a table mountain or virginia pine. The cat faces are a record in the bole of a surviving pine - a detailed and long chronology of surface fires that can be interpreted by researchers to determine the natural fire regime (pre-suppression) and recent fire history. It took me a while to actually "see" the cat face, but you know a fire scar when you see charred cambium, resin, and a bulging, healing bark. There were a few specimens that had evidence of more than 10 fire events; the one below has evidence of 13. It took me a while to get in the cat-calling groove but I finally found my first fire scar in the kitty face named "Mr. Tigglesworth". Mr. Tigglesworth survived 5 fire events; he is a tough kitty! Meow-meow.
Even while working we managed to have an exceptional visitor experience in the Great Smokes. Will was a good little park ranger and identified the big trees. The Table Mountain Pine he is standing with is one of the largest specimens he has ever seen. I wouldn't have even thunk it. It was also an incredible wildlife day. We had the typical bear experience in Cades Cove (story for another blogspot) and also saw many fresh and warm piles of bear scat.
Rattle-rattle, woof-woof... those are the songs of the ridge between Mollie's Butt, Coon Butt, and More Licker Ridge!
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