The oak-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia Bartr.) is the official State Wildflower of Alabama, and you can see why. Their pearl-white blooms almost seem to glow beneath the forest canopy. This deciduous shrub can be found in every part of the state, from the coastal plains to the Appalachian foothills to the north (at Ruffner, for example!), and deep within deciduous forests to landscaped lawns and home gardens. The striking white flowers turn a deep rose in summer and even deeper in color to burgundy in the fall.
Chinju No Mori
Photo by and copyright, Joe Nazarian
Almost a hundred years ago, more than 100,000 young people volunteered to plant 100,000 trees in the heart of Tokyo. The trees had been donated from all over Japan in order to create an oasis of sorts, a sacred shrine forest, or chinju no mori, to surround the newly created Meiji Shrine. The future forest would become a self-renewing, naturally evolving and growing green space, sufficient on its own as a living organism and free from human intervention. The 172 acre forest, replete with fishing ponds, pathways, and an iris garden, was designed by Emperor Meiji specifically for Empress Shoken—a place where she could go to renew her energy amidst the bustle of quickly growing city. Today, the forest lives on, renewing itself, and the people of Tokyo, each spring.
For more information about Meiji Jingu Forest, visit http://www.ecology.com/2016/02/25/meiji-jingu-forest-heart-tokyo
An Urban Forest Built on Coal
Ruffner recently discovered that it has a German cousin in Rheinelbe, Germany! Starting in 1988, this old mining site was converted into wild urban forest by the government of Nordrhein Westfallen. Now, it continues to thrive as an urban green space where walkers, hikers, and children come to exercise, relax, or simply explore the wonders and beauty of this once blighted area. It's remarkable the similarities you can see between Ruffner's history and mission and that of our distant German relatives.
Our wildlife and green spaces are more important now than they have ever been. In a world of disconnection it is heartening and inspiring to see regular people across the globe fighting to preserve what is the right of every human being, everywhere: to connect with the beauty and quiet power of the natural world.
Sherlock the Bunny
Even rabbits sometimes nap. Here's out resident bunny Sherlock taking a break to gear up for his next meal and dreaming about running the 10,000 metres in Rio. Maybe one day, buddy.
Horace's Duskywing
This morning we found a Horace's Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) on a Silphium intergrifolium, or Rosinweed, bloom at the Back Porch!
Announcing Outside Birmingham!
IN SEARCH OF BIGFOOT, AKA "HAIRY MAN"
At some point in the past few days you may have come across clumps or strands of hair on the Ridge Valley Trail or the Crusher Trail. In fact, a number of you called or messaged us online wondering about this probably very weird-seeming occurrence and we appreciate your concern. So, what’s the deal? Well, last week Fresh Air Family held their “Prepared Not Scared” summer camp at Ruffner Mountain. Attendees picked up a whole slew of survival skills for the wild and for life, one of which was tracking, and in particular, tracking Bigfoot! Of course, we all know that Bigfoot sheds during the summer, hence the hair on the trail. So if you see any, don’t be alarmed. There is neither danger nor Bigfoot lurking over the next berm. We actually just discovered today how hairy things had gotten and we’re working to clean it up asap. In the meantime, enjoy the trails!
