|
|
"Ridge's Breath" History: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the United States. Its importance as a biological sanctuary was honored in 1976 when it was designated an International Biosphere Reserve. In the Smokies there are: 1500 flowering plants, 130 tree types, 50 ferns and fern allies, 330 mosses and liverworts, 230 lichens and 1800 fungi. More tree species grow in the 800 square mile park area than grown in all of northern Europe-- an area almost 1000 times larger. The park is, perhaps, the best preserved temperate deciduous woodlands in the world. It still contains the most extensive virgin forest left in the East: over 100,000 acres. [1] Fact: The name Smoky comes from the smoke-like haze enveloping the mountains, which stretch in sweeping troughs and mighty billows to the horizon. Along the crest, more than 6,000 feet elevation, are conifer forests like those of central Canada. [1] Taken at sunset 7:30 p.m. from atop Clingman's Dome. Clingman's Dome is, perhaps, one of the most photographed points in the Appalachian mountain chain. Nikon N90s - 28-70mm Nikon Zoom - Gitzo G410 Tripod w/ Studioball and a big wind breaker. Approx. 25 second exposure. [28k] © Brian J. Clark [fusion@greenwood.net], 1997 - All Rights Reserved Feeling of the moment: "I wish I had that 80-200mm ED Lens!." [1] National Park Service. North Carolina/Tennessee, U.S. Department of the Interior. |
 |
 |
 |