Hemlock Bluff Part I: Nature and Feline Friday

Thanks Comedy Plus for hosting

Thanks LLB Gang for hosting

Finally on Monday, March 9, my guy took me on a short road trip that we have been

trying to take FUR EVER..the wet weather kept us away.

We traveled 20 miles west to the Town of Cary to visit

There are two metal leaf sculptures like this on either side of the

entrance to the parking lot

Are you asking what makes Hemlock Bluffs so unique..well I'll tell you what I read in the pamphlet:

A system of north-facing bluffs along Swift Creek supports a population of Eastern Hemlocks and other vegetation which are unusual to this area, thriving more than 200 miles from their typical habitat in the Appalachian Mountains.  The origin of this phenomenon can be traced back ~10,000 years to the last glacial period during an era when average temperatures for this region were significantly cooler than those of today.  The usually mountainous plant communities of Hemlock Bluff are believed to be one of these unique relics of ancient past, surviving in this particular location due to the protective nature of the north-facing bluffs which provide a relatively cool, moist environment for these species to survive our typical NC summers.  

  All visitors are encouraged to enjoy this beautiful 140 acre 

preserve helping us to maintain the fragile landscape by remaining on the trails rather than disturbing the flora and fauna that call Hemlock Bluff home.

Today I'll start sharing some of the beautiful (108) photos I took...and continue to do so on

Nature Fridays, Awww Monday or Happy Tuesday Trail.
Here a few photos I took inside the visitor center.
Note: wildlife cameras have documented that these animals live throughout Hemlock Bluffs
Thankfully we did not see any especially coyote

 Hemlock Bluff is also the home of the largest populations and diversities of salamanders in the state, outside of the NC Mountains.

TO BE CONTINUED next week....

Grandkitties...