All about nature

We headed to the Redwoods National Forest today. Many people staying at the Days Inn at Ukiah (another plug there) were going south to a car rally but we preferred looking at nature. The place to be was around Eureka.

But on our way there, I noticed there were lots of casinos and smoke shops. In Australia, we have very few casinos – in fact in Tasmania there are only two – one in Hobart and one in Launceston. I wonder why there are so many of them up the west coast of USA?

Remember yesterday, I said we were going to drive through a tree. Well, look at me in that picture – up near the windshield wiper – Miss W drove the car and a lady from Germany took the photo for her. Travelling is a great way to make new friends.

We then got off Highway 101 and followed the old road through the ‘Avenue of the Giants”- these are the redwood trees found along a 400 mile stretch of northern California coastline. Another picture of me, you might need to zoom in to see me near the fern. In certain parts of the Tasmanian wilderness you can also see huge trees around the Styx Valley. How are the redwoods different to the gums?

When we stopped at a visitor centre, they mentioned that not all the redwoods are separate trees – many are clones of the parent tree. This is because of the funny knots you can see on the outside of the base of the tree. Do you know what these are called and how they form a clone of the tree? Yesterday I mentioned that cloud forming near the coastline – well that too is very important for the growth of the redwoods.

Further north, we visited the Humboldt wildlife reserve. Miss W noticed many of the birds to be seen here could also be found in the marshland near her school in Tasmania. I wonder if some of those birds fly here as part of their migration pattern? We saw an egret in the marshland and just as we were leaving I noted a funny looking dead snake out the window, so of course, we had to go back to get a picture of it. I wonder what it is called?

The other animal mentioned in all the brochures is elk. Going through the area north of Eureka called Orick there are designated areas where elk are often seen. Again we turned off Highway 101 and about 200 metres from the road, there was this magnificent elk heading straight to our car. Miss W stayed in the car, with the engine running, as male elk can charge at over 35 mph. Luckily this fellow just dawdled across the road in front of the car to the paddock or field of food on the other side.

Miss W likes to pull off the road before it gets dark – she doesn’t have good night vision like me. So we are staying in Crescent City but I have noticed all up the coastline and especially here, the mention of tsunamis. Apparently people died in Crescent City back in 2006 after a tsunami hit. She has looked in the guest directory and found the route we have to take if a tsunami warning goes off. Hopefully we make it through the night and have a chance to tell you our tales again tomorrow night from somewhere in Oregon.

Please leave a comment about something highlighted in the post.

 

 

 

22 thoughts on “All about nature

  1. Hi Miss W,

    It sounds lovely! It’s been over 20 years since I’ve driven that way.

    The snake you saw was probably a gartersnake, but possibly a striped racer. I am by no means a snake expert, I did however grow up in California.

    I think you are lucky that you don’t need a GPS. I have no sense of direction. None. However, if I’m in a city and am on foot/public transportation, I do alright.

    Enjoy Oregon!

    Kind regards,
    Tracy

  2. Dear Miss W. and Davo,

    I agree with Mrs. Watanabe, which happens all the time, that it is a garter snake. They are very common in North America.

    You two are off to a terrific start! Just to make it through the freeways of Los Angeles is an achievement!

    Looking forward to meeting you two when you are back here!

    Fun Fact: the redwoods are the California state tree!

    Your pal,
    Mrs. Y♥llis
    California

  3. Hello Mr.Davo your blog souned interesting. First I never saw a wild snake that big which would be pretty awesome to see. Second Where did you see th moose at? Last but not least what type of bird was that in the fields. I hope you visit and leave a comment on my blog at 2017tkr.edublogs.org.

  4. Hello my name is Kaylee, Your blog is very interesting. It sounds like you had a lot of fun in Redwoods National Forest. I have never been there before. Was it fun? You are lucky that you got to see a big snake like that. Good thing you got a picture!
    Well it sounds like you had a long and interesting trip to Redwoods National Forest.

    Last year I joined the student blogging challenge that you run. I really enjoyed the challenge. I thought it was a great way for student bloggers to learn a lot of interesting things about blogging. It helped me out a lot last year. I am looking foward to starting the challenge again.
    Hope you had a great time!

    • G’day Kaylee,
      I loved the redwoods especially when Miss W drove our car through the tree. Did you see me in the picture? Miss W says she hopes you enjoy the challenge again this year.

  5. Dear Mr.Davo
    Hear in Illinois you don’t have to worry about tsunamis, you have to worry about tornadoes. Don’t worry it’s not tornado season yet.

  6. Dear Mr. Davo Devil,
    I love the pictuire of the snake it looks like it belongs in a nature magazine! We have snakes in our backyard and they always scare me because I don’t know when I’ll come across one.
    Alessandra

  7. Dear Mr.Davo I thought it was really cool how you were diving though the tree I have never seen a tree that big before that you can dive though.

    • Brianne,
      I think there are lots of garter snakes in America, but I am not sure if they are dangerous or not. In Tasmania, all our snakes are deadly so I stay away from them or screech at them when they get near me.

  8. Dear Mr. Davo,

    I hoped you had a very good trip while you were here. I was wondering what kind of animals you had seen and what you were expecting.

    Chelsey.

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