#and i could make a little guide of some plants and wildlife easily found along the trail | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

asgardian--angels · 5 years

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Providing for Pollinators - my Syracuse Wildlife Garden

Hi everyone! Maybe you know me, I am a grad student with a B.S. in Wildlife & Conservation Biology and I study native bees. I am in New York for grad school and my landlady (I live in her personal home with one other PhD student) has agreed to let me turn part of her yard into pollinator habitat. I discussed this prospect a month ago here. On Memorial Day I got to work and finally planted everything!

I thought I would use this opportunity to share my ongoing experience and educate others about the importance and the feasibility of creating pollinator and wildlife habitat in your yard. Please, consider doing even just a little bit to help the natural world this year or in the future. Hopefully the information and resources I provide will be of use.

I will update this post throughout the season as the plants grow and bloom!

This first installment lays out the principles of habitat gardening and thus is pretty lengthy. Part 2 will talk about the plants I chose and include photos of the newly planted garden!

Wildlife habitat in the urban and suburban sphere is crucial going forward in the fight to save our planet from going belly-up. We think of ‘big ag’ as the enemies, and while that’s true, habitat destruction and fragmentation due to development has had just as large an impact, and we are all accountable. Pristine, untouched lawns, silent without birdsong or the buzzing of bees, has somehow become the ideal and a symbol of status and accomplishment (yet another way that western mindset of ‘man vs nature’ rears its ugly head). Few realize the harm that has done, and we’re at the tipping point now. But while we can’t overthrow Monsanto overnight, we can control our own little patch of earth. Reconnect the land, that’s the goal. You’ll find yourself reconnected to it too, in the process. And once you see the amount of thriving life you can support, you’ll never go back to that old turfgrass prison. Creating habitat is its own source of pride, especially knowing you will influence and inspire others to do the same.

There are infinite ways one could construct habitat on their property. It will obviously depend on time, money, desired use of yard (do you have kids? or barbecues? leave some grass), town ordinances, etc. I could have easily ripped up every ounce of turfgrass in the yard, but it’s best to start simple, especially when it’s someone else’s land! I have about a quarter acre to work with - which doesn’t seem like a lot until you realize just how many plants you could fit in there! More so, a quarter acre of habitat where there wasn’t any before sure makes a difference to the wildlife, especially bees, who often nest only a few meters from their host plants and will only travel as far as they need to for food.

Here’s an overview of the ‘before’:

Basically, what we’ve got is a lot of turfgrass and some exotic ornamentals, with a few native trees scattered about at the boundary between the neighbor’s house. Existing plants were hydrangeas, hostas, hellebores, and vinca. I didn’t even know what vinca was (I am rather out of the loop with ornamental plants) so I looked it up, as it seemed very aggressive and had formed a dense mat over much of the ground along the borders of the property. Lo and behold, it is considered invasive in many places, yet it’s sold at pretty much every nursery. It has purple flowers that attract virtually no pollinators, and my landlady loves the darn thing so much she wants it to spread to cover the entire yard if possible. I’ve tried to steer her away from that... a big problem though, was that she did not have any idea what plants were in her yard. Apparently the landscapers did not tell her what they were planting, nor did she seek out the information herself, so I identified them all for her. Maybe it’s just me, but I could never rest not knowing what plants someone put into my ground that I’d have to live with for the next few decades. There’s a huge border of stones at the front of the house, apparently to stop flooding. Let it just be known that stones are pretty dang bad for wildlife habitat, as they do nothing but cover the ground and prevent things from growing. She wanted more stones, I steered her away from that also.

Principles of Habitat Gardening

Insects are good. Insects are what you want. Insects form the foundation of the food web for whatever animals you want to support. This means changing your mindset to see leaf damage as beneficial, something that traditional gardening has drilled into our heads as wrong and ugly. Songbirds rely on caterpillars to raise chicks, and pollinators help plants create fruit, seeds, and nuts, which countless animals rely on. Predatory insects like wasps, mantids, and many true bugs keep populations in check so no plants are ever eaten to fatal levels.

NATIVE PLANTS. How do you attract insects? You plant the things they eat, and that certainly isn’t ornamentals from Eurasia. Insects have long co-evolutionary relationships with specific plants, attuning their tolerance to certain plant defensive compounds. Most butterfly and moth caterpillars eat only a small range of plants, and over half of our bees in North America collect pollen from only one group of plants. These are specialists, and they form a crucial part of biodiversity that’s often left out when habitat is lost and urban sprawl leaves ornamental plants that only a few hardy troopers (the generalists) will tolerate. Native plants are not ~in~ when it comes to gardening though, and it is difficult to find them being sold unless you know where your local native nurseries are. Demanding these plants has slowly begun to change the market, and now some can be found as seeds in places like Home Depot or Lowe’s. Recent studies have shown that songbird nests can fail in suburban areas with a lack of native plants, due to low abundances of insects. If you want birds, once again, provide insects!

Native plants are easier to grow and care for than exotics, because they are adapted to your region, its seasons and climate and precipitation. That’s less manicuring, fertilizing, and pesticide-spraying on your part.

Remember what all animals need - food/water, shelter, and a place to raise young. Providing only one of these things doesn’t do a whole lot of good, as they may stay for a little while but not forever, and you’re not actually creating habitat.

Coarse woody debris - aka logs, stumps, snags, and brush piles - are very useful to wildlife, as sources of food (they host many insects), shelter, and nesting sites (a LOT of birds nest in tree holes and excavated cavities, as well as mammals). Leaving these ‘eyesores’ is doing a lot of good, as well as not raking your leaves (or at least keeping them in a pile) and allowing dead perennial stems to persist through the winter and spring. Bees will be nesting and hibernating inside them!! See? Less work for you, with a hefty payoff.

Diversify as much as you can, in every way you can. Bloom color, bloom time, plant family, leaf texture, growth habit. It will maximize the species you can host in one space.

The goal of creating habitat in your yard is bigger than just inviting pollinators and birds. It’s restoring connectivity to the landscape. Fragmentation of habitat has massive negative effects on wildlife, from mammals and amphibians who need to cross highways and go through yards to get to the next woodlot to the ‘edge effects’ of habitat islands surrounded by parking lots, loud noise, and urban predators. The more people create habitat, the more we ‘plug’ our land back into the larger landscape and help support wildlife at a much bigger scale.

Research, research, research! You need to find what plants are right for your state and region, your soil type and sun levels, and many other specifics only you know. Luckily, there’s plenty of information and books out there to help you (I will recommend some further down).

YOU CAN DO SOMETHING, NO MATTER HOW SMALL. You could own one acre or ten, or maybe just a windowsill or patio garden. Put out a bee hotel. Keep natives in pots (that’s what I do at home). Spread the word (that’s a biggie). You are always able to help.

So, for my situation, we have silty loam soil (you can find yours here), mostly full sun with areas of part-sun and shade. A big problem I had to plan around was the deer, who come through the neighborhood regularly and try to eat the hostas and hydrangeas. Many ornamentals are marketed as ‘deer-resistant’ but a lot of native plants are as well. It has to do mainly with leaf chemistry and texture which equates to some level of palatability. Of course, if they’re very hungry, deer will even eat pine needles. My landlady tasked me with creating habitat that was low maintenance. She is older in age and does not have the time or means to be manicuring everything. Apart from the deer resistance, my landlady also wanted a new groundcover that would thrive in full sun unlike the vinca, because her goal is less lawn to mow. I have a vendetta against the vinca now so I’ve vowed to do all I can do diversify the groundcover. There are many butterflies and moths that rely on various weedy or groundcover plants as caterpillar food (especially violets!). With these criteria, I set out to find a list of plants native to New York available near me for sale that would create a wonderfully diverse wildlife and pollinator garden.

Luckily, central New York has ample resources for this purpose. I utilized the Habitat Gardening in Central New York network heavily, as they have an annual complete buying guide for all native plants in the region being sold by participating nurseries. Audubon, Cornell Habitat Network, Cooperative Extension, Xerces Society, and many others also have information to help. If you’d like a bit of introductory and insightful reading, check this out. Native plants can be bought online as seeds or root stock as well, from places like Prairie Moon Nursery, which caters to the eastern U.S. There are many websites with information on specific plant growing needs, like the Missouri Botanical Garden site.

But wait, there’s more! Don’t forget about our best friend, books! Scientists have been working really hard to gather information and publish it for the public and in the last decade or so a really good handful of books about native landscaping, pollinators, and ecology have come out to aid the everyday person in creating habitat! I want to offer a list of some of my top picks, whether you just want to learn more about the topic or use it as a planning tool, these are pretty readily available at major bookstores.

Books on Pollinators, Ecology, and Native Gardening

#1 - MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!! MY GOSPEL!! Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy (an esteemed professor at U of Delaware, I almost was his grad student). This gorgeous full-color book was the basis for a lot of what we have now and played a major role in introducing the public to the concept of native landscaping. It brought together concepts about the importance of insects, especially herbivorous ones, for birds and wildlife, why and how to support them, the reason we need native plants and why invasives are so harmful, and has a lot of resources and beautiful photos as well. You know how Christopher Lee would read Lord of the Rings every year? Yeah that’s me with this book. Everyone should own this.

#2 - The Bees in your Backyard by Joseph Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril. This is the single best, most informative, well laid-out, usable bee book out there. Stunning portraits of every genus of bee in North America, with a section on their life history and a section (for us scientists!) on how to identify them under the microscope, thus it’s for all audiences. A significant portion of the book is devoted to the ecology and conservation of bees and how to create pollinator habitat.

#3 - Pollinators of Native Plants by Heather Holm. The book I’d write if it hadn’t already been written, this comprehensive book brings together an incredible amount of information and photos in a user-friendly format. It goes through wildflowers of the eastern U.S. from prairies to woods and wetlands, painting an in-depth picture of their ecological relationships with pollinators. Each plant has a profile about its life history and growing requirements, and the many pollinators that utilize it either as a nectar source or a host plant. Incredibly useful when planning habitat, and it has a huge section with a mind-blowing amount of charts and visuals to help you pinpoint exactly the plants right for your site and needs.

#4 - Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees by Thor Hanson. A brand new book that I fell in love with as soon as I started reading it. Not a field guide; a book of science, conservation, and personal experiences told beautifully and full of passion. My favorite work of bee non-fiction! It is incredibly inspiring. It focuses on native bees, not honeybees (none of this work for pollinator gardens is really for honeybees, and there’s plenty of books out there on them if you’re more interested in that). Native bees are poorly known by the public, and this book endeavors to give us a glimpse into their world, from the evolutionary story that begins millions of years ago to the millions of alkali bees that have found a home on one Washington farm. You will come away wanting to start your new garden tomorrow.

#5 - Summer World by Bernd Heinrich. Well, ANYTHING by Bernd Heinrich. He’s a renowned scientist and naturalist from New England who has a heck of a lot of books documenting his observations and discoveries about the natural world over the decades, as well as the challenges it faces in today’s human world. This is one of my favorites. I’ve met him and I am constantly inspired and often brought to tears by his words. He weaves tales of science, history, and his own life together to match that of Thoreau or Frost and offer us insights into nature that we so often pass by in our hurried lives. Other books include Winter World, One Wild Bird at a Time, Life Everlasting: The Animal Way of Death, and The Homing Instinct.

#6 - Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. A groundbreaking classic that follows the principles of E.O.Wilson (one of the fathers of our field!!), that all human beings need nature to be healthy both physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and that we have an intrinsic connection to nature and a drive to have it in our lives. Our separation from it in the modern era has come at great cost to ourselves and the planet. This book sets the stage for serious research and justification for why children need to have contact with nature at an early age, how it affects our whole lives and morals as adults, and how it ultimately decides the fate of our world when those children grow up to either want to save the earth or contribute to its destruction. A fundamental and frankly, earth-shattering read. I read it when I was in high school, and it is so so important to the work I do now. Don’t get all ‘hurr durr Thomas Edison was a witch’ on me. You know we have a problem, and I see it every time a two year old is watching an ipad instead of what’s outside around them.

I hope these resources were helpful. If I think of more, I’ll add them in future installments. Thank you for reading, and I hope you will join me in tracking this garden through the year! I’m so excited :D

#nature #conservation #pollinators #pollinator garden #bees #mine #sorry this is so long i've chosen to break up the actual plants into part 2

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casino-lights · 6 years

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The Pilgrimage of Eden’s Gate

After I liberated the Henbane River, I decided to find Faith’s Pilgrimage and “walk the path” for myself. It’s quite a bit longer than I thought, and it crosses almost the entire region. It is a narrow path, distinguished from other game trails and hiking paths by the white petals on the ground, and you’ll find blood and bodies along its length. It takes nearly a day and a half in-game to follow the entire thing on foot while sprinting, but I took the extra time and walked it without followers to let the scenery sink in and give me time to reflect. If you follow it, don’t forget to look up from time to time. It has some of the best views in the region.

Some meta (with pictures!) is below the cut for anyone who hasn’t yet walked the path.

The Pilgrimage begins here, at a small campsite presumably made by Eden’s Gate.

It’s just below Joseph’s Word, the statue on the mountain called Angel’s Peak. From the fast-travel arrival point of Joseph’s Word, turn around and almost a short distance behind you, you should see a tall crucifix. A footpath runs underneath it, and following that will lead you to the pair of cabins that makes up the camp. One of the cabins is pristine and well cared-for, with garlands and bouquets of Bliss flowers, clean mattresses, sturdy furniture, and some crisp Books of Joseph lying around for perusal. The other cabin, however, is a pigsty. Garbage is lying around, blood splatters line the walls, instead of beds you have sleeping bags and blankets strewn on the floor and on the bed frames, and a couple bedpans are scattered around.

I assume the clean cabin is for people who choose to undertake the Pilgrimage, and the other is for those who go unwillingly. Or, the messy one could be for all pilgrims while the other is for those who guide them along the path. Another possibility is that the messy one is for Angels and the other is for people who still retain their minds. But what complicates these assumptions is the letter found in the messy cabin.

This certainly seems to be addressed to a woman who willingly traveled the Pilgrimage. I know Joseph’s words here would make me want to walk it for myself, provided I had my good sneakers with me.

The stones laid upon the path Joseph mentions are at checkpoints along the Pilgrimage, thirteen in all, like this one.

Each one has a stone laid in the ground engraved with the emblem of the Project at Eden’s Gate and a short description of a significant event in the Project’s lifespan. It begins right outside the cabins with this message.

To start the Pilgrimage, go downhill from this first marker. Once you recognize the path with the white petals, it’ll be easily identifiable for the rest of your journey. Just bring a lot of ammo, as you’ll be ambushed rather often by the local wildlife (I encountered mostly cougars and bison with the occasional turkey) and for the love of all that’s holy, don’t bring Sharky Boshaw. I love him, but I died in too many wildfires while initially trying to follow this path. I didn’t even make it to the fifth checkpoint before I sent him home.

The second checkpoint’s message about Joseph “cleansing” himself could either refer to self-flagellation (which would certainly explain at least some of the scars on his torso, some of which look fairly recent, others look very deep and painful), the tattooing/scarification of at least one of the seven deadly sins on those who join the Project, or a much tamer self-baptism. It’s uncertain, but I’d guess it’s the first one.

As you follow the Pilgrimage, you’ll find that nearly every checkpoint is at or near a fork in the path, where one fork has the white petals and the other does not. More often than not, the plain fork leads to one of the sixteen Shrines dotted across the Henbane River region, but at the third intersection, found next to a Bliss field in an open plain, taking the plain path to the right of the stone marker will lead you to an abandoned chapel. In this chapel, you’ll see a statue of a crucified Christ propped up in a shadowy corner in the back with a cardboard box over its head. Under the box is a key to a safe nearby, but it isn’t the key that interests me. The position of the box AND the statue itself seems to suggest that someone felt like they didn’t want Him watching them, whether that’s because they were doing something they didn’t want seen or they just felt ashamed. Because of the note I found in the room with the safe, I strongly believe it’s the latter.

Whether this Faith is the current one - Rachel Jessop - or one of her predecessors, I can’t say, but based on how the current Faith reacts to the burning of her personal Book of Joseph (”You have no idea what he’ll do to me!”) and what she desperately cries in the final stage of her boss fight (”You will never know what I know!” and “It wasn’t my fault! None of this was my fault!”) this note wouldn’t be out of character for her.

Once you return to the path, you’ll encounter another checkpoint with another marker before you continue on.

The one after this is the one that really interests me, firstly because it officially lists Faith as Joseph’s blood family along with Jacob and John, which implies that she or he (whoever oversaw the creation of the Pilgrimage) or both of them consider Faith a blood relative.

This stone also marks a fork in the path, and stepping away from the Pilgrimage leads to another Shrine - but this one is located in the center of an amphitheater with a well-tended garden of Bliss flowers around it.

It looks far more ceremonial than any of the other Shrines, and this leads me to believe that perhaps Faith and/or Joseph hold sermons for the faithful there. The fact that this is at the location of the family stone doesn’t seem like a coincidence. Because pilgrims are meant to reflect on each checkpoint, it seems fitting for Joseph, Faith, or one of her Priestesses to officially welcome pilgrims into the Eden’s Gate family here with a ceremony or sermon in this amphitheater.

Some time after passing this checkpoint, you’ll cross one of the many bridges you find on this trail, but this one has a small surprise at the end. On top of a Bliss crate, you find a med kit, a stick (for hitting people with) and a letter from the Resistance.

If the amphitheater from the fifth marker is really a place to welcome newcomers into the family, this note could be considered either too little, too late, OR placed in just the right spot to plant doubt in the heart of the pilgrim who reads it.

Now, the next few stones continue with the history of the Project. The sixth marker interests me because of how it describes why Joseph uprooted the Project from its original home in Georgia (so implied in the Book of Joseph). This suggests that someone inside the cult was either a plant by law enforcement or they found a conscience and reported the things they’d seen.

The seventh and eighth stones refer to Hope County as simply “Hope,” which, like “Faith,” likely stands more as a symbol than a place or person. Faith is not only a woman, she’s an icon for the cult. In the same vein, “Hope” is the the New Garden - not just a place to grow their Bliss, their family, and their religion, but also the new Garden of Eden.

The ninth stone also piques my interest because of how it mentions “disciples.” These could be some of (or all of) the cult VIPs we see and kill. They all have the same Bliss haze around their heads as Angels do, and all the ones I’ve seen have the same white eyes. This could be why killing them grants Resistance Points - they were some of Joseph’s first followers, the first and most effective Angels, and their loss hurts the cult more than just an average Peggie. Additionally, the Bliss was said to be “offered” to them. While this very well could be a nice way of saying “we forced it down their throats,” it could also have been taken willingly as a sacrament, as the title implies.

We all know what the tenth and eleventh stones are referring to.

The twelfth stone is very specific in saying that fire will cleanse the earth. In the Bliss vision where Joseph speaks to you personally, you see fire and a nuclear mushroom cloud, implying he feels certain that atomic bombs will be the end of the world.

And finally, the thirteenth stone. The “Gates” mentioned are the Herald’s bunkers.

The end of the Pilgrimage is nearby, and you’ll find yourself back at Joseph’s Word. Staying to the right as you climb the steps seems to be the intended path for pilgrims, and I assume cultists are typically nearby to lead pilgrims up into the statue and out onto the book. And just like the deputy did in their first Bliss vision, it looks like some pilgrims are expected to take a leap of faith.

This is what they’re faced with when they look down.

It’s far less pretty from the ground.

#far cry 5 #meta #faith seed #joseph seed #the project at eden's gate #the pilgrimage of eden's gate #gracelogs #tw: blood

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sweetautumnwine · 6 years

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Music Prompt: "A Little Wicked" -Valerie Broussard

A Little Wicked

Killua trailed his fingers along the craggy wall of his cave, collecting droplets in the grooves of his hand. Storms soaked the soil above, and he found the taste of earth-traveled water more refreshing than that which was dredged up from wells and rivers. Even when served in bejeweled chalices, it could not compare. He would plunge his hands into wooden buckets scavenged from carriage wrecks and drink deeply, spilling some down his chest. The cold would seep through his tunic, but the fire he nursed dried it faster than towels ever could.

He was a long way from the palace. In some ways, Killua had come to appreciate the rustic life, how he’d developed useful skills and learned to survive without tutors and manservants, but the stones he assembled near the mouth of his cave could never compare to the throne he’d lost.

Temptation had ruined him.

Settling onto his malformed chair, he gazed out into the rain, at the flashes of light as they shattered the sky. Absently, he conjured tendrils of dark blue from his fingers, made them dance above his palm, before closing his fist and dispelling them into motes. He’d been so close to receiving the title of heir to the throne, had polished the crown himself and heard his father’s blessing through the cracks in the walls. At night, he practiced his speech to recite at the feast which would follow the announcement, thanking his family, his advisors, and his nation.

But with promise comes fear. His older brother, Prince Illumi, had not been considered for the throne since Killua’s birth. There were rumors of illegitimacy that could not be properly dismissed, and the king determined it would be best to pass on the title to one whose birthright was clear. As much as Illumi feigned acceptance, his neutrality carried with it a bitter edge.

He came to Killua in the evenings, after training sessions, and weave doubts. You’re too weak to lead a nation, he’d say. Father will never trust his council to you. He’ll make you king in name only. You have to prove yourself worthy if you want to rule like him.

Killua scheduled more meetings with retired generals, sparring with soldiers each day until he broke bones and was resigned to bedrest. Not once did the king visit. It was as Illumi said; weakness would never be tolerated on the throne.

Days into his confinement, Killua awoke with a stack of tomes beside his bed and a note from his brother. If you can’t train your body, the note read, train your mind instead.

Magic was forbidden. The people saw it as a defiance of the natural order, and those who pursued its study were often imprisoned, banished, or executed, depending on the extent of their abilities and the severity of their crimes. But Killua, plagued by fear, unlatched the lock on the first book and read under the light of the moon anyway, poring over pages and committing knowledge to memory. As much as he paled in comparison to his older, more experienced brothers, Killua possessed an intellect that rivaled court physicians and scholars alike; unfortunately, it was not simple intelligence alone that made a great leader, and Killua was never recognized for his abilities.

The more he studied, the more powerful he grew. Soon, he was able to conjure a familiar, a spectral shapeless thing dubbed Alluka who demonstrated first the ability to heal wounds. When he emerged from his bedroom weeks sooner than what had been deemed necessary, suspicion arose, and though Killua sensed he was being watched, he assumed more guards had been posted in anticipation of his coronation announcement rather than to investigate him.

He grit his teeth and curled his fingers around a rock by his thigh, expelling dark sparks from his fingertips into the cracks until the stone crumbled under his palm. Three years had passed since he’d been betrayed and discovered, and though the king had been merciful enough to banish him rather than condemn him to death by stoning, Killua couldn’t help but cling to his rage. He’d honed his skills further while in isolation, had strengthened his relationship with Alluka and helped her grow stronger, too, and someday, he would storm the castle and seize the throne for himself, the rightful heir.

For now, he fostered patience, watched the rain just beyond his reach and felt the thunder in his soles. Storms would pass, and night would fall. And soon enough, his time to strike would come.

War was a waiting game, above all else.

At the base of the mountain, Gon planted both hands firmly on either hip and craned his neck back, squinting at the peak. Turning to his trembling guide, he smiled. “And the cave’s near the top?”

“Y-yes, but… You really shouldn’t go up there,” the young man said, fidgeting. “It’s dangerous. No one ever comes back the same as they were when they went up — if they come back at all.”

“Well it is a long trip,” Gon said, shrugging. “They’re bound to be a bit dirty.”

The guide shook his head. “You don’t understand. They come back different, changed. The prince…” He gulped, lowering his voice. “He knows magic, better than anyone in the history of this land.”

Gon’s eyes glittered with excitement. “Really? I really want to meet him then!”

Mouth agape in disbelief, the guide cast his eyes heavenward. “If you’re so keen to die young, go ahead. But if you manage to return and you aren’t exactly right, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I would never lie about something like that,” Gon said. “You’ve been very helpful. Are you sure you don’t want to come with me? It’s gonna be a great adventure, I can tell.”

With a feeble, dismissive wave of his hand, the guide turned back toward the distant town. “You couldn’t pay me enough to join you, kid,” he said, sounding weary. “Best I can do is wish you good luck and say a prayer in our chapel.”

Even though the man had already begun his journey home, Gon bowed his head in appreciation. “Thanks, mister! I’m sure I’ll see you again soon!”

Interlocking his fingers, Gon stretched his arms out in front of himself before bending forward to touch his toes. He loosened up his knees and elbows, and leaned back as far as his spine would allow. The sky above was clear, baring only a few sparse clouds in sight, but Gon’s nose caught wind of a storm in the distance, blowing in from the east; it wouldn’t hit for several hours, and Gon was confident enough in his climbing ability that he was sure the weather wouldn’t affect his goal. With a final, filling breath, he approached the mountainside and reached for a handhold.

For years, Gon had traveled alone, perpetually seeking his next adventure. He’d learned to forage and scavenge, and he was often more comfortable in the forest than in the city; there, among the trees and wildlife, he felt he could truly breathe. Though he lived for the excitement that came with treasure hunts and cryptid chases, he longed to one day locate his father, who followed a similar path long before Gon could even read the wanted posters in the tavern. Still, Gon was determined to strengthen his own skills in strength, stamina, and survival before officially pursuing his goal, and the more dangerous the mission, the better.

His calloused hands easily scoured the wall for ledges, and even the steepest slopes did not deter him. He never feared the height nor even the fall. It was the sight of clouds drawing closer, the sensation of air thinning as he ascended, that drove him higher, as if reaching the peak would grant him something spectacular.

Not halfway to his goal, Gon paused and sniffed at the air, furrowing his brow. The winds had brought the storm much sooner than expected, and if he wanted to beat the rain, he would have to move faster and risk injury or descend and try another day. Admitting defeat was hardly an option, however, so he rolled back his shoulders and hoisted himself higher, scraping his knees against the rough stone and ignoring the path of blood he left behind.

By the time he spotted the lip of the cave, the tingle of electricity in the air raised the hairs at the back of his neck, and he shivered at the sudden drop in air pressure. This storm would be a bad one. Before Gon could even begin to regret his decision, he sucked in a fresh breath and clambered up the rest of the way, tearing open his palms and launching himself over the ledge, rolling into shelter.

Chest heaving, Gon lay by the curved wall, eyes watched the dark expanse of sky now visible. From his angle, he could see nothing by the storm clouds — no trees, no distant mountains, nothing at all. He drew his knees closer to his chest, and with a sigh of relief, let himself shudder into slumber, if only to rest his aching limbs.

From the depths of his cavernous home, Killua sensed the approaching rain. Storms occurred so frequently, it was a wonder how the surrounding valleys had yet to be washed away entirely. Still they stood, resilient as ever. On optimistic days, Killua reasoned he could stand to learn something from them.

It was not an optimistic day.

He’d awoken near noon from a haunting nightmare, one that left him soaked in sweat and with a headache severe enough to rival war injuries. Alluka roused herself from slumber at the first sign of consciousness and brushed his temples to ease the pain, but the effects would linger throughout the day. Even as he studied, practiced conjuring spectral soldiers and communing with disparaged heroes of the past, he couldn’t shake the hollow halls he’d wandered in, how the torchlight painted everything gray, even the familiar tapestries. He’d committed the palace to memory, and such princely measures did nothing but cause him agony in his exile.

When the storm grew closer, Killua wiped his brow with cool water and draped a cloak around his shoulders for warmth. “We’ll watch the storm again today,” he said, motioning for Alluka to join him. “I want to study lightning more, learn to harness it. Imagine my father’s face when I come to the castle gates wielding bolts like a god. He’ll have no choice but to surrender.”

Though Alluka did not respond with words, she brushed against his shoulder as he walked, spreading warmth through the fabric to greet his skin.

As they neared the entrance, Killua slowed, detecting a disturbance. He held out a hand to encourage Alluka to halt. “Someone’s here,” he said, and before she could grow fretful, he bolted forward, summoning a web of magic between his hands to capture and subdue the intruder, while also concealing the sound of his footsteps with a shadowed shroud. Beyond simple strength and wit, Killua had trained extensively in stealth, and magic only enhanced his abilities.

He rounded a corner and emerged, full speed, into the largest hall of the cave, and at the sight of the boy slumped against the wall, he froze.

It was not like Killua to hesitate. But the boy’s eyes had flashed open upon Killua’s entrance, as though he’d sensed his presence in spite of the magical interference.

The boy sat up straighter, eyes wide and mouth hanging open to bear teeth and tongue. “It’s you; it’s really you,” he gushed, leaning forward. He placed both hands on the cave floor for support, wincing when the gravel dug into his wounds. He grinned anyway. “You’re amazing, Prince Killua, you know that?”

Killua dropped the web of magic, let it fade into the floor by his feet. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d spoken to another person who hadn’t immediately demanded a fight, or who hadn’t declared the existence of a bounty in return for his head. Though Killua easily dispatched those who trespassed, this boy was different. He spoke kindly, with something close to reverence in his voice, and showed no inclination of waging battle.

“Who are you?” Killua asked.

The boy chuckled. “Just a traveler,” he said, and Killua recognized this as a severe understatement. “You can call me Gon.”

“Leave,” Killua said. He didn’t like how his senses had grown heightened, how his heartbeat felt thick. “Get out of here and never come back.”

Gon weakly looked out to the rain, at the spears of lightning, and his shoulders shook. “I’ll die if I go out now.”

“So?”

“So,” Gon said, with a surprising amount of vehemence, “I don’t want to die right now. I’ve got stuff I want to do. Can’t I stay until the storm passes?”

Blinking, Killua took a single step back. The boy’s charming adamance and foolish rebellion disarmed him. He swallowed, then turned sharply away. “Fine. Just until it passes. Then leave and never come back. I’ve got my own destiny.”

Relieved, Gon sprawled out on the damp cave floor, stretching his back and groaning one as he extended his legs. “Thanks,” he said, closing his eyes. “You’re a lot nicer than people say. I thought for sure you were gonna turn me into a toad or something.”

“I still could,” Killua said, eying the boy. “Don’t tempt me.”

Gon laughed, folded his arms so that his hands cushioned his head. “Fair enough. I won’t bother you anymore after this. Promise.”

As the boy’s breathing grew steady, Killua faced him fully, noting the dirty clothes, adventurer’s gear, and the raw wounds marring his skin. Drawing closer, Killua raised a hand to summon Alluka to his side. “Heal him,” he said, surprising himself. At her hesitation, he gave her a stern look. “If he dies in this cave, I’ll have to deal with a dead body, and I’m not in the mood to dig another grave. Just do it. Please.”

Alluka obeyed as Killua watched her work, saw the skin expel dirty and stone and replenish flesh as though no injury had ever been there. Her work was always impeccable, supernaturally perfect, and with a start Killua realized that this was the first time he’d extended her power to someone outside himself.

His lips twitched, a sharp breath huffing past his teeth. “Congratulations, Gon,” he said, sweeping his cloak over the boy’s body. “You might be special, or you might just be lucky. Rest well.”

Without sparing another glance back at the boy, Killua ventured deep into the caves, following a path known only to himself, and found himself wishing, if only faintly, for Gon to be still be there in the morning.

#hxh #killugon #killua zoldyck #gon freecs #fanfic some sort of royalty au #my work #idk my tags anymore this is the first thing ive written in AGES IM SORRY #anyway this was fun tysm for this prompt and all the others omg #HAPPY BIRTHDAY KILLUA I'VE GOT THREE MINUTES TO SPARE #fun fact the word count for this is exactly 2468 and this pleases me #inkspillsnotebook

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jrazillashadowworks · 7 years

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Tranquil Hearts: Of Vines and Flame Chapter 3

Well, finally got another chapter of this Punky romance finished! I really hope you enjoy this silliness.

Paul was at a complete loss, as the young man across from him, smiled brilliantly, an air of innocence flashing across his countenance. “I’ve never seen you before!” the new arrival exclaimed excitedly, patting the horse’s neck gingerly. Their voice was soft yet playful, much like a gentle breeze. “Is this your friend?”

The mayor’s mouth moved but no words escaped his dry lips. Befuddled and exhausted, he stood there awkwardly. For some strange reason, a sudden wave of relief washed over Paul, as if the new arrival brought peace with them. “Y-yes,” he replied, finally finding his voice after swallowing. “He got away from me when that roar spooked him. I thought I had lost him.”

Blinking wildly, utterly fascinated, the young man, who looked to be but a couple years younger than the Mayor nodded. “Good thing I found him then! I was able to calm him easily. I’m good with animals, see!”

“Clearly you are. Thank you very much,” Paul said with a warm, grateful smile, the normal, elegant cadence returning to his tone. Remembering the niceties, a rosy blush set into his cheeks. “My names Paul. Sorry for not introducing myself sooner. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Although he reached his hand out stiffly, around the horse’s front, the other simply tilted his head at the gesture before walking before the Mayor.

Paul got a clear view of the young man now, trying his best to not show that he was looking him over. Standing but an inch taller than himself, they wore a dirt splotched, form fitting white shirt, under a weathered, black leather, fur brimmed and cuffed hunter’s jacket. Slightly baggy, faded black pants covered their legs, ripped holes revealing patches of scrapped and bruised skin underneath. Tied haphazardly to his feet were scuffed, high rise, leather boots. Thick, messy, windswept hair crowned his head, black with a strange white stripe down the middle, a few pale strands hanging in his handsome face, as the rest was brushed back. Though he would never admit it, the Mayor was reminded of the skunk that ran across his path yesterday.

“I’m Skunky,” the young man chimed.

The Mayor’s jaw slacked slightly at the name, though he quickly collected himself as to not seem rude. Though it was almost assured to be only a nickname, anyone could understand the reasoning behind it. Before he could focus on it too long, or respond, Skunky suddenly closed the gap between them and hugged Paul tight. Surprised, a blossom of pink, flushed his cheeks, as strong arms wrapped around. Unaccustomed to this impropriety of social norms, Paul hesitated, stuttering softly in the embrace before awkwardly hugging back. However, a sudden whiff of the gentle, pleasant aroma of fresh plotted earth and pine wafting off the young man, cleared his mind, and relaxed him. It was a scent of pure nature.

Pulling away, the one known as Skunky, flashed their glorious smile. “You are the prettiest and best smelling person I have ever met!”

As if he wasn’t blushing already, Paul’s face tinted a deep, beet red now, inwardly giggling that they had the same thoughts about the other. Eyes shifting to the ground, he fidgeted on the spot, even though he heard no underlining meaning to his words, no flirtation. This strange man was simply complimenting him, innocently.

“T-Thank you, Skunky.” Though he wanted to compliment back, finding Skunky more than a little attractive, he kept himself from doing so, not wanting to make the situation any more awkward for himself. Not to mention, it was against the social standards set for him. He even reprimanded himself for even thinking such things.

“You’re welcome!” Skunky’s expression turned thoughtful. “So were you simply taking an enjoyable stroll through the forest?”

“Actually…” Trailing off, Paul reminded himself the reason he had come out here in the first place. “I know it’s going to sound silly but I was searching for the one known as the forest spirit.”

Skunky’s brows shot up, and it was only then that Paul noticed a small scar that cut the right brow in half at its edge. “Forest spirit?”

“Well, let me explain. We were fixing up a wildlife reserve in the forest that a storm had destroyed. I, along with my assistant Amara, paid a visit to the volunteers to see their progress and show our support.” He didn’t have to worry about Skunky losing interest, the young man seemed to be hanging on every word Paul was saying. The absolute focus made him blush more. “However, when we arrived, the volunteers met us with the news that it had been repaired by the Spirit. So I simply left a letter for them as thanks…”

His words dragged as the last of his breath seeped through his lips. Before continuing, Skunky cocked his head to the side. “Letter?” Reaching into his jacket, the young man procured the folded up note. “This?”

Amazed, Paul’s countenance dropped, making Skunky chuckle lightly. “That’s a silly face you are making.”

“Are you?” His voice was barely intelligible. “The spirit?”

“I don’t know what a spirit is, but, I am the one who fixed the um…what did you call it?”

“Reserve.”

“Yes! That!”

The Mayor’s face showed all kinds of emotion now, parched lips muttering over muddled words. The amount of sheer luck was almost fantastical coming out of the disaster that had unfolded only minutes before. Paul had come face to face with the spirit he was searching for after all. Through the flood of pure relief, he felt warm tears well up in his eyes though he quickly wiped them away. A rush of exhaustion followed. Staggering, Skunky nearly lunged forwards to keep him upright.

“Are you okay?!” Genuine worry filled his tone and features, for the person he had just met.

Latching onto Skunky out of reflex, he smiled wearily. “Yes. I’m just very tired.” Feeling the bone dry fingers clawing his scorching throat he added, “And thirsty.”

“Why don’t you come to my house for a bit then? You can relax for a while and I can bring you some fresh spring water! It’s not too far from here.”

Silence ensued as the Mayor looked him in the eyes, glistening emeralds of pure innocence and kindness. Though it went against all sane thinking for him to follow someone he just met into the forest, Paul couldn’t help but feel an unnatural ease around this man. He mustered a nod and Skunky hopped for joy, letting out a jubilant laugh.

“Why don’t you ride on your friend here?” Skunky asked, while patting the saddle. “I can lead him on by the um, the strap things.”

“Reins?”

“Right!”

Paul felt bad that his new companion would be walking alongside him instead of riding, he did not fuss over it however, and carefully lifted onto the horse. Sitting up high, he looked down at Skunky who was stroking the muzzle of the horse gently and speaking very softly. Paul was unable to pick up what he was saying. He wanted to ask but of course kept from doing so. There was no need to pester him about such things. With a gentle tug of the reins, they were off back into the forest.

There was no need to worry about getting lost, this time. His guide, led him into the foliage, and down invisible pathways through the green, Paul had figured Skunky had traversed countless times before. Now, he was able to finally relax and catch his bearings. He looked about as golden beams of sunlight peeked between the branches, creating cones of dancing light on the lush surroundings.

Skunky checked back on Paul periodically through the trip, as if to make sure he was still there. Each time their eyes met, the Mayor would blush again. It was getting ridiculous and oh so embarrassing, though Skunky did not seem to notice. Was he even going to survive this? He wondered. Finally breaking through the tree line, they stepped into a magical place.

The Mayor was awestruck when he viewed the fantastical meadow, nestled perfectly within the forest. Pale, healthy grass, made up the ground, not a single dead or dry blade within the entire vicinity. Beds of yellow, purple, and myriads of other colored flowers spotted here and there, boxed in by tiny stones. Leafy vines, lined the grass, creating designs much like the ones around the habitat. These snaking trails, led up to a decent sized, white stone, circular hut at the very center. The vines clung to its sides, coiling together around the doorway and up to the plank wood roof, which had multiple finches tittering on its peak.

Squirrels, bunnies, chipmunks and even a skunk played about in the area, unperturbed and content. It was a small paradise, Paul had never imagined would be in this forest. Skunky lived up to his title. “This is my place,” Skunky chimed, throwing his hands out, dramatically, showcasing everything between his arms.

Paul tried to reply but was still in a cathartic trance, tears welling up from the sheer beauty. “It’s absolutely astonishing,” he whispered.

“That’s good right?”

Lolling his head into a nod, Skunky giggled. “Yay!”

Leading the horse up to the front door, Skunky held out his hands to help Paul dismount and once he was planted safely on the ground, opened the door for him. “Make yourself at home!”

Stepping inside, his feet clapped against the cracked floorboards that squeaked under his weight. While Skunky hurried around, Paul scanned the interior. It was a very humble abode, compared to what it looked like on the outside, with a very low table in the center of the floor with two, moth bitten, embroidered pillows, he assumed were used for chairs, placed on either side of it. An ashen, fireplace was set inside the left wall with a dull pot, in dire need of polishing, hanging over the burnt wood. Sacks full of different nuts and berries sat on either side, giving off a natural, sweet and hearty aroma that masked the barely noticeable stench of burnt wood.

Skunky’s clothes, riddled with holes, were haphazardly folded on top of a chipped, faded oaken dresser, the drawers missing entirely. There was an overused, wooden bow, resting on top of the clothes, and quivers full of arrows leaning against the shelf, along with an open knapsack, with what looked like notebooks inside. The Mayor’s eyes fell on a pathetic excuse for a bed next, which was little more than a thin, ragged bedroll without a pillow or cover. It made Paul sad to imagine that Skunky slept on something so uncomfortable a thing. Immediately, he wished to help him out, maybe buy him an actual bed sometime. Then he remembered, it was not his place to do so. They were still pretty much strangers to one another.

A single window, cut out of the stone, above the bed, revealed the gorgeous surroundings outside, vined tendrils squirming through the opening, reaching inside and crawling down to the floor. Overall, it was a stark contrast from Paul’s lavish home within Ekard but there was an undeniable charm to this place that was not lost on the Mayor. Skunky pat him on the shoulder, jumping him out of his thoughts, wagging a small cylinder bottle. “I’ll be right back. You can eat whatever you want, however much you want!”

“Thank you,” Paul replied just before Skunky dashed away.

Finding the sack of berries again, he picked out a few, plump blackberries, and raspberries before sitting cross legged on one of the pillows. Examining them, in the light of the window, he noted the moist sheen that coated their exteriors. Plopping one in his mouth, he exclaimed at the burst of tart flavor, the plentiful juices, tickling his taste buds. Feeling the brunt of his hunger, urged on by the sweet taste of the berries, he found himself eating more, mixing them with the fresh nuts for a cornucopia of flavor. It was a wonderful snack that calmed his wailing stomach.

Sitting there silently, he listened to the collection of fluttering birdsong outside, resting his hands on the table. For some reason, his glance kept falling on the knapsack on the floor, to his right. He knew better than to go sniffing through others belongings but the steady current of curiosity got the better of him.

Lifting out the first notebook he got his hands on, bound in a brown, leathery hide, he sat back down, caressing the smooth face with his hand. What lied within, surprised Paul. Flicking through the pages, gently with his fingertips, Paul was gifted with some of the best sketch art he had ever seen. Pictures of all things nature, cluttered the pages, not a single space unused. Expertly drawn birds, plants, trees, animals, came to life on the yellowed paper.

The Mayor was utterly enthralled, taking every single picture in before turning the page. Skunky was clearly a man of many talents, despite his deceiving appearance. He cursed himself for judging based on that fact. Apologies were definitely in order. Turning to the last page, he caught a glimpse of a distinguished, bald man with thick, powerful brows that hid his eyes, and a gruff, bristling goatee.

“I’m back!” Skunky announced in a blaring, sing song that sent an electric shock up Paul’s spine.

Exclaiming, the Mayor slapped the book shut and sat it on the table, covering his hands over it, face burning bright red as Skunky came around the other side of the table and plopped down with a thump. Grinning from ear to ear, Skunky placed the full cylinder bottle of water on the table right before Paul. “Drink up!”

Gulping, Paul shifted uncomfortably on the seat, glancing at his hands, the bottle, and then Skunky who cocked his head to the side, patiently, staring him down. It was indeed a precarious situation, one the Mayor was having trouble thinking through. Surely, he would find out how nosey and rude he was, should he move his hands. Not a picture he wanted painted of himself, especially with such a new acquaintance.

“Oh, w-w-wait,” Paul stuttered. “The box! Would you be so kind to get the box tied to the horse? Please?” He tried his best to give a smile, though it most likely ended up looking desperate and pathetic.

“Of course,” Skunky replied, happily. Then he was up and out in a flash.

With no time to lose, Paul scampered across the floor, replaced the book and scurried back, to compose himself as if nothing had changed. A single bead of sweat rolled down his cheek as Skunky rejoined him, placing the box beside the cylinder. “Aren’t you thirsty?”

“Of course! Thank you.” Taking the long bottle, he hastily uncorked it and shot it up, feeling the ice cold water run down his parched throat. With all propriety cast aside, replaced by burning thirst, he chugged the water completely, until it was bone dry. Not ever, had he tasted something so crisp and refreshing in his life. Pulling away, he exhaled softly, wishing there was more.

“What’s in the fancy box?” Skunky asked, curiously, poking his finger to it.

“I’m not sure. It’s a gift for you, from Kina.” Paul could not deny, that he was very interested in finding out as well.

“For me?!” Hands striking out, he snapped the box to his chest, face alight with unbridled excitement. “It’s wonderful! Thank you Kina,” he shouted, as if his voice would reach her.

Paul giggled as Skunky fumbled with the chord, gloved hands fiddling until finally untying it. Lifting the top off, he gasped as he pulled out a new toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and some wrapped chocolate. Somehow holding everything in his hands, he hugged them all, as if these daily items, people took for granted, were cherished, royal heirlooms. The sight was so pure, it warmed the Mayor’s heart. It was so strange. They had only been together for maybe an hour or two but Paul was beginning to understand that he already had a keen liking to this man.

“I have a gift for you as well,” Paul said. Reaching into his pocket, flashing the certificate before giving a bow as he held it out to Skunky, who after moving the other items to left arm, took it, examining it with starry eyes. “Ooooh,” he cooed. “This is very pretty paper. Thank you so much! I love it, Paul!”

After a minute of watching Skunky look over the certificate, Paul cleared his throat, lightly. “You know what it is don’t you?”

Blinking, Skunky looked up to him, innocently. “Pretty paper, right?”

“Well, yes, but, it is also a gift certificate for the most lavish restaurant in Ekard. They have the most delicious foods you can imagine. This paper gives you an all-expense paid visit, where you can have whatever you’d like.”

Skunky stared in awe. “This paper is magical!” Then he looked into Paul’s eyes, an almost serious glint, deep within them. “Will you go with me?”

Feeling the familiar blush scorch under his skin, Paul gasped, lips twitching. “Uh-Uh-Ah.” His heart pounded in his chest, thumping loudly in his ears, as he fretted, fingers twining together. “O-Of course, he breathed, sheepishly.

“Really?!” Skunky nearly jumped off the ground, brimming with enthusiasm. “Wonderful! I can’t wait!”

This was the most excited reaction, Paul had ever gotten by someone just wanting to be with him. Though it embarrassed him, he did enjoy it immensely, and being in Skunky’s company was refreshing and nice. Taking a second to find his voice again, he sat up straight. “When would be a good day for you?”

“Any day,” Skunky sang, hugging the certificate to him.

“Then, how about Thursday?”

“Perfect!”

At that very moment, Paul had not the mental capacity to wonder what others may think of this-him going on an outing with this strange person. He was much too exhausted to mull over the matter however, barely able to keep his head up. A nap was an increasingly wonderful thought, at that very second. Silence filled the hut as the two sat quietly. Skunky then slapped his own knees, perking the Mayor up. “I forgot to get some water for your horse! I’ll be right back! I’m sure he’s just as thirsty!”

“You are too kind,” Paul said.

Once he was gone, yet again, the Mayor leaned his arms on the table, his head weighing like a block of lead, drooping. It was impossible to think logically when he was this tired and his home was a good ways away. “Maybe only for a few minutes,” he whispered to himself, leaning his head on his arms. Just like that, he was lost to the world.

There was no way of knowing how long he had been out, but when his eyes finally drifted open, it was dark outside, little lights blinking in and out, hovering in the darkness. A candle on the table flickered, casting shadows on Paul’s face as he slowly lifted his head, a string of drool clinging to his chin. Noticing warmth on his back and a weight he did not have before, he turned his head and felt the fur collar of the leather jacket, he remembered Skunky wearing, that somehow hung over his shoulders.

Had he wrapped it around him to keep him warm while he was asleep? Paul wondered, muddled and drowsy. Caressing the leather, it took Paul a minute to realize what had happened before shooting up perfectly straight. “Oh no! I passed out! What time is it?! I have to get back!”

“You are awake,” the light hearted chime of Skunky’s voice said from behind him.

Spinning on his heel, he wiped his lips, trying his best to compose himself even though his nerves wracked his body. “Yes. H-How long was I asleep?”

Skunky counted on his hand, expression suddenly very focused. “About four hours. I was going to move you to the bed but I didn’t want to wake you.”

For the millionth time, his face flushed and then a sharp strain in his back snapped him out of it. Wanting to stretch but feeling awkward being watched, he tried to mask it as best he could. “Thank you for covering me.”

“No problem! I hope it kept you warm enough.”

“It really did.” Carefully, he handed the jacket over, Skunky immediately shrugging it on.

“It’s so toasty,” he beamed, pulling it tight, relishing in the warmth.

Definitely a strange but sweet person. “I hate to be rude but I really must be getting back.”

“So soon?” Skunky pouted.

“I’m afraid so,” Paul replied. “But hey, we will see each other again in a couple days.”

“That’s right! If you are in a hurry, I could perhaps ride the horse with you?”

“You know how to ride horses?”

Skunky shrugged. “Well I have ridden an elk before, and a bear. It can’t be that much different.”

Paul’s jaw slacked. He had to be joking, but his face remained unchanged, without a hint of humor. “A-Alright then.”

Saddled up on the horse, Skunky took the reins, Paul sitting behind him, staying upright by tightening his legs. “You may want to hold on,” Skunky grinned, peeking back with a gleam in his eyes.

With a click of his tongue, the horse nearly swung around, Paul nearly falling off, only keeping upright by reflexively, and instantaneously wrapping his arms around Skunky’s firm chest, tightly. Inhaling sharply, the Mayor held on for dear life as the beast shot back through the forest, the darkened surroundings passing in a blur.

Wind whipped at them, as they sped through, Paul holding on tighter and tighter as they jumped over unseen underbrush, and clopping up and down the constantly changing terrain. Though he was scared out of his wits, Paul was utterly surprised by the expert horse handling by Skunky, who responded perfectly with each movement, keeping up the gait. At times, Skunky laughed, voicing encouragement to the beast, urging him to go faster. By the time they made it back to the main path, the Mayor’s head was practically mushed against the riders back, completely adhered to him.

Finally, the ride slowed to a calm gallop and Paul was allowed to lighten his steel, vice grip on Skunky who did not seem to mind in the slightest. “That was fun, wasn’t it?” He giggled.

There was no possible way he could respond, a constant tremor going through Paul’s body. Surely, whatever he would have said would have been a jumbled mess. He simply nodded. Allowing a few seconds to compose himself, Paul finally breathed. “I think I can handle the rest of the way.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind taking you all the way to the gates at least.”

“I’m sure.” There was a lingering foreboding sensation in his mind that it would be best to return alone and not clinging to a random stranger. It was already assured to be much worse. “We can meet at this spot, next time.”

Stopping the horse with a gentle pull of the reins, Skunky then shifted about to where he was sitting, facing Paul. He then proceeded to hug him fondly. “It was so wonderful to meet you, friend! Thank you for coming to visit and for the amazing gifts!”

Hesitantly hugging back, Paul smiled. “My pleasure, Skunky.”

Sliding off the horse, Skunky stood, patting the mane, offering heartfelt praises and appreciation to the beast, while Paul scooted up the saddle. “Will you be safe heading back?”

Smacking a fist to his chest, the forest boy smiled widely. “I’m the spirit or whatever, remember?”

Paul chuckled. “That you are. Take care, Skunky. It was very much a pleasure.”

“You too!”

Urging the horse with a gentle kick of the heels, they moved on, the two watching each other until out of sight. Once the Mayor was by his lonesome yet again, he sighed heavily. What an adventurous day. Surely, the next day would prove just as eventful, for he would need to somehow explain the situation to Amara and get her understanding. Guess sooner rather than later, he thought, as multiple, floating flames came blazing into view, accompanied by darkened forms and raised, alert voices.

“Mayor Paul!” They cried out, repeatedly, moving erratically.

Hands shaking, Paul gripped the reins and steeled himself for the extremely awkward and stressful ordeal ahead. “I-I’m fine,” he called out as loud as he could muster.

Then he was swarmed, all lights coming to surround him, the flames revealing troubled and stressed Ekard guards, practically pale as ghosts. At the sight of their Mayor, they began to express their relief. They marched around him, as he rode to the gate, where a mass of people awaited. In the group, he caught sight of the guard of the gate who allowed him passage, who was sweating bullets, face a strange, blueish color in the dim light. Paul felt bad for him. That was, until his eyes came upon another, in which icy fear was stricken in his veins, stealing its place. His countenance immediately mirrored that of the guard as his stomach plummeted to the ground.

Searing, reddish brown eyes, glowered at him from the very front of the group, arms crossed, countenance, ice cold. “A-Amara…”

#Victubia #fan fiction #my writing #Mayor Paul belongs to Gabbi #My sweet derpy forest child #Punky

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lethaderr-blog · 5 years

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Here are the best things to do in southern for active and outdoor adventurers.

It was my first time visiting the state of and I really didn’t know what to expect. I was in town for the Women in Travel Summit conference (WITS), and it was a great excuse to check a new state off my bucket list. After spending some time in Portland, it was time to venture away from the city. As I had my own car, I had the freedom to go wherever I wanted. Yes, this crazy road trip warrior drove solo on a 10 hour trip from Toronto to Portland. After making this journey, I feel like I can own the term “road trip warrior” and also the “crazy” part of the title, too (though I did break up the drive into manageable chunks).

Anyway, after my time at WITS, I headed south to check out the southern coast on a trip with The Beaches. There are lots of things to do in southern for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. I had the opportunity to check out several exciting places for those wanting to get outside, explore nature, or try a new activity. While there are many attractions in York County, I’ll break up this itinerary by city, starting from south in Kittery to north in Kennebunkport. While you won’t see any beaches on this itinerary, this listing of things to do in southern can be enjoyed from spring right through to the fall.

SOUTHERN MAINE TRAVEL GUIDE

WHERE TO STAY IN THE MAINE BEACHES REGION: I loved staying at The Dunes on the Waterfront in Ogunquit. You can read my review a little further down on this page. Book your stay at The Dunes or read more reviews by fellow travelers. While I highly recommend staying at The Dunes, you can also choose to browse the available listings on Airbnb if you’re looking for a shared room or your own home. Here are some more hotels in The Beaches.

GETTING AROUND SOUTHERN MAINE: I recommend having access to a car when you visit The Beaches. A lot of the places on this particular itinerary are far apart from one another. Having a car makes this trip possible. If you don’t have your own, consider renting a car for this trip.

MORE THINGS TO DO IN MAINE: For all of the best things to do in New York State, check out all of my other blog posts.

PHOTOS OF THE MAINE BEACHES REGION: Check out our entire photo album of pictures from southern to inspire your trip. You can also purchase prints, housewares, and all sorts of gifts made from any of our photos – just click the “buy” button on any picture.

Kittery

Let’s start just about as far south as we can go in the state of : Kittery. The town of Kittery is just across a bridge from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. While Kittery might be known for its outlet shopping, I headed straight to one of the most unique things to do on the coast of .

Take Flight Aerial Park

The aerial adventures and ziplines at Take Flight are one of the most thrilling things to do in southern . Strap on your harness and helmet, we’re going on an adventure! I experienced the Aerial Challenge Course and it was exhilarating, demanding, and even a little bit scary at times. With that said, you can choose how much or little to challenge yourself. It’s an epic journey for kids and adults alike.

The adventure course at Take Flight is a place to climb, swing, and hang around, quite literally. It’s perfect for all abilities, even if you’ve never done a ropes course before. You’ll need to visit with a partner as the course operates on a buddy system where you’ll be responsible for the safety of your partner (and vice versa). There are over 65 elements on the adventure course, including cargo nets, bridges, swinging tires, various platforms, ropes, and all sorts of inventive materials to swing around on.

Some of these are easier to figure out than others. It’s quite simple to realize that you need to climb through a cargo net. But, you might encounter a set of buoys suspended in the air and wonder, “how the heck am I going to get across this?” It’s all part of the fun. I found myself laughing over and over again with the antics I seemed to get myself into on this course.

There are three levels of apparatus and swinging platforms that you’ll encounter. You can choose just how high you want to go and which bridges to cross. When my travel buddy, Retha and I got to a certain spot that was a little too intimidating, we’d exclaim something like, “Oh hell, no!” and choose an alternate route. And then there were other moments where a set of swings looked rather daring and we’d give it a shot. In the end, I felt quite pleased and accomplished that I’d attempted the adventure course. Take Flight is one of the best southern attractions, and I urge you to check it out with one of your friends.

When you visit the Take Flight adventure course, you’ll be able to climb around for a maximum of 2 hours. You’ll receive a “pre-flight” training to prepare you for the excursion. Wear sneakers, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Don’t bring your camera, phone, or anything else with you. Take Flight staff members will take photos of you, so you don’t need to worry about damaging your gear on the course. Thank you so much to the staff at Take Flight for taking these photos of us!

York

Next, we drive a little bit up the road to York where you can find an excellent place to hit the trails. Some of the best hiking in southern is at Mount Agamenticus. My second stop in York isn’t really an outdoor adventure per se, but a beautiful scenic location to view the Nubble Lighthouse.

Mount Agamenticus

If there’s one place where you need to go hiking in southern , it’s Mount Agamenticus. Known as “Mount A” for short, the Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region sprawls across 10,000 acres within a 30,000 acre section of conservation land in southern . In fact, the region surrounding Mount A makes up one of the largest unfragmented forests in coastal New England. Within this unique coastal forest, you’ll find the highest diversity of plant and animal species in the whole state. You might spot whitetail deer, moose, spotted turtles, black racer snakes, or even a black bear. I didn’t manage to see any wildlife this time around, but you never know what you might see on the trail.

Mount A also happens to be one of ’s best sites to watch migrating raptors, including peregrine falcons, bald eagles, osprey, and hawks. In the fall, you can see hundreds of birds migrating within a few hours from the summit. On average, 4000 raptors migrate through this location annually. Make sure you visit Mount Agamenticus in late September through mid October on a clear day with a strong northwest wind.

The trails surrounding Mount A are perfect for hikers, bikers, and even winter activities like snowshoeing. Along with a local guide, we started at the bottom of Mount A and hiked up to the top. It’s a very gradual incline, so it’s not terribly challenging. However, it’s a great location for sightseeing and spending a few hours in nature. There are numerous informative plaques along the way about the history of the region, as well as the kinds of trees you’ll come across on your journey.

Eventually, you’ll reach the summit of Mount A, which is also directly accessible by car. At the summit, there are several interesting features and lookouts. You can soak up views of the mountains in one direction, including Mount Washington on a clear day. From another vantage point, you can see right out to the Atlantic Ocean. There’s a circular deck at the middle of the summit with miniatures of various nearby attractions like Nubble Light and Goose Rocks Beach. Be sure to wander around this vast expanse of land to the various lookout decks and rocky ledges.

Nubble Light

Even though this isn’t technically an outdoor adventure, you really should go to see Nubble Light when you’re in York. You can actually see Nubble Light from Mount A, too! It’s a quick drive down to the ocean to view this beautiful southern lighthouse. Officially named Cape Neddick Light, the lighthouse sits on Nubble Island, about 100 meters off Cape Neddick Point. While the lighthouse itself is inaccessible to the general public, you can easily view it from the edge of Cape Neddick Point. There’s a big parking lot, so you can pull right up and take a look. Going to see Nubble Light is one of the most iconic things to do on the coast of .

Built in 1879, the lighthouse is 41 feet tall but is positioned 88 feet above sea level. It sits up on top of a high, rocky island. Nubble Light is still in use today. It’s a classic example of an American lighthouse. A picture of the Nubble Light is included on the Voyager spacecraft, along with examples of other famous man made structures like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

Ogunquit

Ogunquit has some of the most stunning views that I’ve seen throughout my time in . I recommend that you take a drive over to Perkins Cove to explore this little village. You can also access Marginal Way from this starting point.

Marginal Way

The Marginal Way is a spectacular coastal walk on the Atlantic Ocean. The paved path winds along the cliffs, allowing you to get right up close to the crashing waves. The name refers to the “margin” between the land and the sea. There are 39 benches placed on this 1.25 mile trek, and it’s a very easy walk. With very little effort, there’s a big reward of the beautiful views every moment along the way. While it’s more walking than hiking in southern , I’d definitely add this one to your list of southern attractions. It’s my one of my favorite things to do in southern . Plus, once you’re finished walking the Marginal Way, you can explore the rest of Perkins Cove.

Perkins Cove

Perkins Cove is a small village by the sea in Ogunquit. There are a few boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. Unfortunately, if you visit a little too early in the spring like I did (at the start of May), many things could be closed for the season. Many areas in southern are seasonal and open primarily throughout the summer months when the tourists flock to the beaches. However, it’s still a lovely spot to visit, even if many businesses are closed for the season. I loved walking around this peaceful place after my walk on the Marginal Way.

The focal point of Perkins Cove is the Perkins Cove Drawbridge. It is a historic, wooden footbridge that overlooks the lovely harbor. The Perkins Cove Drawbridge might be one of the only double leaf footbridges left in the United States. It is still in use today to allow tall boats to enter the harbor. While the harbormaster controls the bridge, sometimes it’s up to the average person to control the drawbridge if he isn’t around at that moment. There’s a button on the bridge itself that controls it. The bridge didn’t need to be raised while I was there, but I imagine it’s pretty fun to watch the bridge in action (especially if you get to be the lucky one to push the button!).

Kennebunk

Did you know that there’s nowhere else in the world called Kennebunk except for this village in ? Well, it’s not as though I imagined there was another ‘Kennebunk’ in the world, as it’s such a unique name. But, the residents want to make sure that you know that. There’s a sign on the entrance to town stating: “Welcome to Kennebunk, the only village in the world so named.” So, there you have it. I recommend taking a walk around town as it’s super adorable.

Garden Street Bowl

I know that a bowling alley is not exactly an outdoor adventure. But, it’s a lot of fun after a day of being outdoors, and it’s also a great rainy day activity in southern . Grab your friends and head straight to Garden Street Bowl for an enjoyable evening in Kennebunk. The building is actually an old grocery store, renovated and repurposed into a bowling alley, tap house, restaurant, and games room.

You can order food and drink directly to your bowling lane or feel free to sit at the restaurant or bar. There are 27 taps featuring craft beers and kombucha, and there’s also a wine list. I’ll write a little bit more about the food under the “Where to Eat” heading of this blog post. Once you’re done bowling, head over to the games section, which is set up in the old area of the grocery store where they stored the shopping carts. You can play arcade games, corn hole, bocce ball, skee ball and pinball! Garden Street Bowl is open seven days a week until 11pm (12am on Friday and Saturday). It’s one of the best things to do in southern after a day of outdoor adventures.

Kennebunkport

Down by the sea near Kennebunk, you’ll find the village of Kennebunkport. This is a great place to go for a scenic walk around town. Check out the port village, the sailboats in the harbor, and stroll all over town for glimpses into a relaxed coastal lifestyle. Besides stopping for a coffee, I didn’t necessarily do anything in Kennebunkport. Simply wandering around is sometimes as equally as enjoyable as any activity when you’re traveling!

Scenic Flight of the Coast

And now for what was quite possibly my favorite thing to do in southern – a scenic flight! Hop aboard a small plane that seats only four people (including the pilot). It’s an incredibly unique vacation experience and a fabulous way to view every landmark you just visited from up above. A discovery flight with Southern Aviation can be anywhere from a half hour to two hours in length. You’ll be in excellent hands with a skilled pilot (ours was a former American Airlines pilot with over 25 years of experience).

Flying Over Southern

You can choose your flight path or let your pilot decide. We left it up to the hands of the professional, and he took us right over the southern coast. From up above, we saw Ogunquit, Wells Beach, York Harbor, Kennebunkport, Nubble Light, and traveled all the way down to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The scenery looked absolutely amazing from up in the plane. I loved gazing at the patterns in the sand dunes. It was delightful to see the various colors of the water and the treetops from overhead.

If you’re interested in taking a scenic flight in , head straight to the Sanford Airport (14 miles west of Kennebunk). You can even take flying lessons at the airport if you live nearby or you’re enjoying an extended stay in . This discovery flight actually counts as your first lesson towards earning your pilot’s license. If you’re like me and you’d rather leave the flying up to the pros, I was surprised at just how affordable it was to take a private plane up in the air. It only costs $195 per hour, which can be split between up to 3 passengers.

Where to Eat

Looking for vegan food in southern ? Plant-based eats are really easy to find in Portland as there are several vegan and vegan-friendly establishments. However, in southern (especially in the off season), it’s a little more difficult. Not to worry, I never starve – there’s always a way to find yummy vegan food. Let me share my top picks for vegan eats in southern .

Squeeze

The Squeeze is a juice bar in Kittery, . In fact, it’s a juice bar inside an old drive thru bank stand. This small stall is repurposed into a juice cafe, and they serve up so many delicious smoothies and smoothie bowls. You really can’t go wrong with an acai bowl. I tried the Bananarama after a long hike, excluding the yogurt, because it includes espresso. Yum!

Heckman’s Pub at Nonantum Resort

If you’re looking for casual dining options or maybe just a pint of craft beer, head to Heckman’s Pub in Kennebunkport. It’s inside the Nonantum Resort, but you don’t need to stay at the hotel to dine there. I recommend ordering the Cauliflower Tacos as a plant-based option. They come in these delightful little round taco shells, topped with roasted cauliflower and grilled pineapple salsa.

Garden Street Bowl

Who knew that a bowling alley could have such delicious eats? The Crotux Kitchen and Taphouse has a huge menu with everything from snacks to entrees. You can dine at a table or even right at your own bowling lane. I opted for something a little more light as I bowled: an order of roasted chili hummus and fries with truffle ketchup. I also ordered a ginger kombucha, which was so refreshing.

Mike’s Clam Shack

Now, what is a vegan like myself doing at Mike’s Clam Shack? Located in Wells, there’s even something for the vegetarians in the crowd from their gigantic menu. I verified with the kitchen that their veggie burger is vegan. While many people flock to Mike’s Clam Shack for the seafood, I highly recommend trying the veggie burger as it’s super tasty.

Norma’s Restaurant

Norma’s Restaurant in York might be a bit of a greasy spoon, but it’s a favorite among the locals for breakfast. There weren’t too many vegan choices on the menu, but I ordered some fried potatoes and some toast with jam.

Cafes & Coffee

I don’t know about you, but I love staying caffeinated on my travels. And in daily life. With a coffee in my hand, I’m going to tell you about the best coffee shops in southern that I personally visited. I am sure there are even more than these ones, and I’ll have to check them out on my next trip to the region.

Lil’s Cafe

Lil’s Cafe is a coffee shop and bakery in Kittery, . While they don’t have any vegan baked goods, they do have lots of fresh bread if you’re hungry. I stuck to a simple Americano at Lil’s, and it was really delicious. I am certain that they have plant-based milks for your lattes and cappuccinos, too. If you feel like you’re in the mood for shopping, Lil’s Cafe has a record shop attached to it. Browse the collection of LPs at Lil’s Vinyl Vault.

Dock Square Coffee House

Dock Square Coffee House is a cute cafe in the heart of Kennebunkport’s tourist shopping area. I stopped by for a cup of coffee and sat by the front window to watch the people walking by. Locals and tourists alike stopped by for a quick pick me up, even with their dogs in tow. I really enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of this cafe, and the coffee tasted really good, too.

Christian’s Cafe and Eatery

Christian’s Cafe and Eatery is right on the main downtown street in Kennebunk. I stopped by for a cappuccino made with soy milk, as well as a quick bite to eat. While there weren’t any vegan items on the menu, the staff were quick to offer to help. They made a toasted bagel with vegetable toppings, like lettuce, cucumber, and onion (instead of the cream cheese). It was a really tasty snack, and the cappuccino really hit the spot, too.

Where to Stay in Southern

I highly recommend staying in Ogunquit during your trip to southern . It’s centrally located right in the middle of this collection of villages. Ogunquit translates to “beautiful place by the sea” and I can’t imagine a better place to spend your holiday. The Dunes on the Waterfront is a stunning resort where you’ll have an extremely memorable vacation.

Cottage Living

At the Dunes on the Waterfront, you’ll stay in your own little cottage. They face the water and the spectacular sand dunes off in the distance. Each cottage comes with a large bed, a flatscreen TV with cable, complimentary Wi-Fi, a wood burning fireplace with logs, and a full kitchen. You could prepare your own meals here if you wish. I also loved the separate screened in front porch where you could enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning as you watched the sun come up.

Exploring the Dunes

There is a river crossing at Dunes at the Waterfront. Depending on the tides, you can either take a rowboat across to the other side or you can walk. The staff members will provide you with a tide chart detailing when it’s possible to walk or take a boat. There are five row boats at the boat dock, and you can sign up to rent them at the front desk.

Watching the Sunrise

If you’re feeling up to it, one of the best things to do in southern is watching the sunrise. The absolutely perfect place to watch the sun come up is right from the comfort of your own cottage. I woke up bright and early at 5:00am to watch the sunrise on two occasions. There was too much cloud cover on the first day (it still looked pretty!). However, there were ideal conditions on the second day. The sky became an intensely vibrant shade of orange as the day began, and it looked so beautiful reflecting off the water.

I can’t imagine that there’s a better place to stay than The Dunes on the Waterfront. It truly felt like a relaxing vacation staying at my own cottage right on the water. With modern amenities, my own kitchen, and even a cozy fireplace, it was absolutely wonderful. Be sure to book your stay at The Dunes or you can check out more reviews written by fellow travelers.

Southern Map

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galacticbugman · 5 years

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Wildlife at TCC South Campus

Here I am on a recent hike with some our our Student Activity members during our recent spring fest. I have always wanted to lead a hike on campus and share with people just just how many organisms we have on site and how important they are to our campus ecosystem. TCC South Campus may not look like the best place for wildlife but you would be totally mistaken. There is plenty of things to look at if you know where to look.

I have been studying Tarrant County Community College Wildlife on two campuses the Southeast and South Campus. I still go to the South Campus but I did go to the Southeast Campus at times. I still go out to their ponds to look for wildlife. I must say that both are rich in wildlife but South Campus holds some particularly special creatures that always make me stop and start observing them. Let me dive into a few from years past and my most recent findings. Let me point out that this is something that was suggested to me in a round about way.

A particular special creature that I always look for in late April to early May is the little chirpy and lively Cliff Swallow. We get two types of Swallow on Campus but these are my favorite. They like to nest at the Technology building often and they gather in great numbers and build their nests from mud and saliva. They often get into minor disagreements and pick on each other if someone winds up at the wrong nest. They are just minor squabbles with very little violence. They may peck a little and may flit around and slap another with their wings but it is over pretty quickly. This year I have not seen them yet which is kind of odd for them. Normally they are here now but this year they are coming in late. We do have their close cousin which is just as lively. The Barn Swallows are there now making their nests. These guy are migratory and come all the way from Capistrano and nest in this area of Texas and a few southern areas. They are one of my favorite things to watch when I am on study break. I always take my camera with me just in case I make some sort of personal discovery. I have to stand back a little because these guys are fast and I have had a few close calls with some of these birds. I had one almost run right into me and let me tell you that wouldn’t have felt good if he hadn’t veered off. Still a fun bird to watch when I am on campus.

On hot and muggy days we get a ton of moths. I was walking around the engineering building which is one of our hot spots for insects and birds. I was walking along the breeze way path that has a solar panel canopy and was walking along the side where the classrooms were and I spotted this moth and almost stumbled. This is Tersa Sphinx moth caught me off guard and I almost fell. This is the first and only time I have ever seen this moth. I have friends who have seen them before many times but for me I don’t get to see big moths that often but we get quite a few big moths as I may have mentioned in the past. There are times where I want to do a moth night on campus and see what goes on in the nocturnal world on campus. It is a world rarely seen by some but in my experience you see some of the coolest things at night. Basically in the day time you see some moths that are sleeping. This guy was waiting for the night to return. I don’t see too many big moths on campus but there are quite a few that I have to say totally blew me away. TCC South Campus has a lot of interesting moths. Let us visit another moth that I saw late summer day.

Here is one that I found near the Nursing Building a couple of semesters back. It was when I was still taking math courses at the Nursing Building and I was outside just before my class started. I had run into a married couple I know from the Texas Master Naturalist program and the Native Plant Society of Texas North Central Texas. They had just walked into their exercise class when I saw it. This guy was on the round wall that looks like something you would see in the film Lord of the Rings the wall looks like something from the Shire. Anyway this Vine Sphinx caught me completely off guard too. I love giant moths and I have documented about five big moths on campus most of them are Sphinx Moths. This guy was easily three inches from head to tail and three inches at widest point. Some of my friends call this guy the “Stormtrooper” or it may remind you of Darth Vader for it looks like one of the masks from the Star Wars franchise. I have to agree that it looks more like a Stormtrooper. South Campus is home to many kinds of moths but there is also some interesting beetles to be found here. Some of them are considered to be rare.

A few projects have been made on the iNaturalist site dedicated to TCC Wildlife. I have actually made one that encompasses all of the colleges in the TCC District. This guy came off to me as a little strange. I was walking one day before class. I was at the library which is another hot spot on Campus. Insects like to hang around on the pillars and just chill. This leaf beetle struck me as very unusual. He has a pattern that make me think of tribal print from Africa or something. This is a kind of Leaf Beetle that is called Zygogramma Heterothecae. I know that is a mouthful but it is the only name that I know this one by. This is one of my favorite beetles for when I documented it on the site it turned out to be the first one on spotted in the Metroplex. I didn’t expect to have such rarities on campus. Before 2016 I didn’t really do photography on campus. I did it else where but not here. It was not until 2016 when I became a Texas Master Naturalist and began to study the wildlife on campus. As they say better late than never. Still I have made over three hundred observations on Campus in just the matter of a few years. I haven’t seen too many rare things on Campus but I have seen a few.

On our recent Spring Fest Hike that I lead we found this guy. This is one of those ant-mimic beetles. When we saw it looked just like an ant; it was small and even moved like an ant but it was far from it. It is a beetle in the Checkered Beetle family and is known but (here comes another technical name) Phyllobaenus unifasciatus. This is one that had never been found in Fort Worth before according to iNaturalist. I use iNaturalist as a guide in many cases. It has become the tool that I normally use in all my outdoor adventures. It was kind of a cool spotting. I know the photo is a little dark but there was a lot of cloud cover. So this is all I got of the beetle.

Today I made a very interesting find at the Wildflower Restoration area at the front of the Campus that goes all the way from the front parking lot to I-20. This guy is the Colorado Potato Beetle. I found him sitting in a Desert-Chicory plant. I wanted to get a better shot of him so without any hesitation. He did wind up barfing orange goo all over my hand but it that is when I put him back. These guys in the wild feed primarily on the members of the nightshade family but in the agriculture world these guys are very devastating to Potato crops. Though not rare this was the first one to be found on Campus grounds. It had been one I had been searching for since high school. I was in the Future Farmers of America Program and I participated in the State Entomology ID Contest and this was one that we had to study about. I had seen it in the contest arena but I have never seen it live until now. It is almost dime sized but much smaller than I had anticipated. I love it when I can find really cool things like this on campus.

Along the exercise track on the left side of the Wildflower Restoration area lies the area I called the “Mud Puddle” It is just a low area that collects with water and last winter I decided to walk around there to see if there was any winter birds that I could see. Ever so often I would walk around the tall grass and a bird would shoot out from the tall grass. This was the only shot I could get of any of the birds. This bird is one of the many winter visitors that TCC South Campus gets called the Wison’s Snipe. I did a report on these back in high school and this one kind of hit home for me. They are know for their elaborate flight displays and often make loud whistling sound with their tail feathers. they maybe a drab colored bird but their patterns (shown here) are dazzling. the dark stripes down the back, the little ruddy colored tail feathers, the black secondaries of their wings. At first I thought they were another bird called the American Woodcock or what some people refer to as the Timberdoodle. It almost has the same body shape but the Woodcock sits lower to the ground and makes a little Weemp! or Meemp! that sounds nasally. These guys let out a loud barking alarm call that sometimes startles me. Sometimes things are so quite and I am focused then I get too close and then I hear that and my heart jumps to my throat. This is one of those special birds I see at Southeast Campus too.

In the summer time we have a plant that grows at the corner of the sceince building nearest to the corridor that takes you down the path to the engineering building. The plant (seen here) is called the Flame Acanthus. One day I was out making my rounds just killing time when I saw something moving with jerky movement. I stopped and got my camera in focus and took this photo of a hummingbird. I am still in a debate if it is Black-chinned or Ruby-throated but it is one of the two. This is the best shot I have of a Hummer feeding on a flower. This is one of the truly magical shots I have ever taken on Campus.

A declining species that we have on Campus is the raptor like Loggerhead Shrike. Some days when I am on my way to school and I come to pull into the campus drive way closest to the Football Stadium across the street I will see these birds on power lines. However on the day I took this one I was walking the track with my mother. We had some time to kill and we deiced to take a brisk winter walk. I spotted this guy in a tree and knew exactly what is was. These guys are known for being a bird of pray (raptor) trapped in a song-bird’s body. These guys have a beak like a raptor and a the sounds of a songbird. They have a problem they can’t tear prey with their small birdie feet but they have a solution. They will catch what they find and impale them on a sharp barb. I have seen mice and snakes on some of the trees on campus and my only thought is that the Loggerhead Shrikes have been there. They are sadly declining due to human interference by architectural advancement. It is a pity really these birds are one of my favorites and we need to do all we can to protect these birds for they keep rodent, insect, and snake populations in check. They are one of the good guys of the open prairie and that is the place they call home. So we should be making more prairie and not tearing up more land to put parking lots and things. The more food that these guys have on a tree will make him more attractive to the ladies as I saw in a PBS nature special. With more food in the fridge so to speak he is stronger and able to provide more for their young.

Let us not forget about the cute little furry guys that call our campus home. This is one that doesn’t always occur on campus but it does from time to time; meet the Striped Skunk. The engineering building is a hive of wildlife like I have said many times. This skunk was just one of the many species I found out there. This guy was in the blue drain pipe when I came around from making a bug run. I saw something black and furry and it didn’t look exactly like a feral cat. So I walked around to see if he would come out again. I then came back and then I saw that white part of his head and I then raised my camera and began to tell myself it was a skunk. He didn’t seem to sure if he wanted to come out of the pipe or not. He was pretty hesitant to come out. He would pull in and come out and make little sounds. Then finally he jumped out and startled himself and raised his tail. I was pretty far back and not anywhere near his firing range for he was turned away from me. This guy is the first wild skunk I have ever seen in my life. May not be a rarity for some people but for me it is. Normally these guys are seen the night so this could have wound up a dicey encounter but he didn’t try anything. Normally they are solitary only coming up to another one during breeding season. The males mate with the females and then wonder off the females raise their young by themselves and then once the young are able to fend for themselves they will leave mom and then she is back to being solitary. Skunks are one of my favorite mammals. I used to feed one at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge so this was a really neat encounter.

Let me take sometime to show you one of the most common of our mammals. We get a lot of Virginia Opossums on our campus. This one I got the day before spring fest. This guy was in a rush to find a place to rest. He looked like he was in a fever state looking for shelter. He was running around the Rotunda and going back and forth not knowing which direction to go. When I took this shot he almost looked like he was at a loss. He put his hand on the outer wall and was looking right at me. It was almost like he was saying “Talk about a rut.” I love the opossum but many people don’t seem to appreciate them because they look like big rats. They are not all that bad in fact you should consider yourselves very lucky to have these in your backyard and in your forests for they are the number one tick zappers on the planet. They eat more ticks than any other animals and that helps cut back on Lyme Disease and other horrible tick related ailments. In my book the Opossum is Awesome! It is one of the heroes of the natural world for it keeps the human and pet pests away and help save lives. So the next time you see an opossum just think it is on the prowl to do you a big favor.

So this is a representation of the three main groups of animals we have on campus. I wish I could go into all of them for they all have something wonderful to tell. Each animal and person have a story. TCC South Campus is known for its quite atmosphere, clubs, and its bell tower but for me TCC South has a lot more to be recognize for. It may just be a school to some but to me it is a wildlife hot bed, a wild place; a place for wildlife to thrive. It is a habitat for countless species. Many people don’t take the time to notice the wildlife on campus. However when I am on campus I am always checking out every nook and cranny that I can get to to find the next best thing. Their is a magic to TCC South and it is not too hard to find it. The wildlife on campus is really special to me for I have been studying it for a while. It is vital that we take care of it and keep planting native vegetation and keeping it clean so that way more things can show up. Most of the things we get are arthropods but we get a lot of birds too. We get a good cross section of things. Some people don’t take the time to enjoy what I think is the most special thing about the campus. It is a hidden world to most but for me it is a world I love to lose myself in. Observing these things and documenting and discovering what other creatures call this campus home. For me this the true magic of TCC. Sure it is a peaceful place but the animals that we share with it add to that natural ambiance of the campus. The South Campus is by far the wildest place I have ever attended for schooling. It has a whole plethora of wildlife that I love to explore and even if it is just for a few minutes a day or about an hour a day I never miss out on personal discovery. This is what I want to share with people on campus. There is a whole world different from our own out there and that is why I created the South Nature Club to help people understand and appreciate the world of wildlife on campus and beyond. It is a wonderful feeling to meet a new creature on campus and it makes me want to tell people the value of that creature or organism. I hope this has been a little window to my feelings on Campus wildlife. A little window from the eyes of a student and a budding naturalist.

I am Zachary Chapman and I will see you on the trail.

#campus #wildlife #nature #birds #bugs #mammals #school #hikes #nature walks #photography #all seasons #documentation #inaturalist #birding #bug hunting #exploring #connections #making a connection #natural wonders

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topfygad · 5 years

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Don’t look down: the most dangerous hikes in the world

It’s not just dizzying heights that make these the most dangerous hikes in the world. Prepare to contend with extreme weather, erupting volcanoes and dangerous wildlife on these hair-raising hikes.

Just back from Ethiopia, we thought we’d update the most dangerous hikes in the world to include our latest vertigo-inducing adventure, hiking Abuna Yemata Guh.

Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia

Biggest danger: narrow ledges, deep chasms and hiking in bare feet

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This rock-hewn church in the Gheralta region of Ethiopia is carved into the side of a vertical spire of rock with 200m (650ft) drops on all sides. To reach it, hikers must scale a sheer wall of rock and inch along a precipitous ledge, all in bare feet as footwear is not allowed in Ethiopia’s holy places. In fact, Abuna Yemata Guh is said to be the world’s least accessible place of worship.

The first part of the hike is relatively gentle: steep but perfectly doable. However, soon enough, hikers encounter a sheer section where ropes are required. It’s here that climbers must remove their shoes. Finally, a precariously narrow ledge which dips into a hole in the cliff face must be overcome before entering the world’s least accessible church with triumph.

Further reading:

Vertical Ethiopia, Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa

Shackleton’s Route, South Georgia Island, South Atlantic/Antarctica

Biggest danger: exposure, crevasses and a very remote location

In the footsteps of legends on South Georgia Island

On 20th May 1916, Sir Ernest Shackleton and two others stumbled into the whaling station on South Georgia Island, starving, exhausted and suffering from extreme exposure. They had just made the first ever crossing of South Georgia Island. Shackleton and his team’s classic story of survival has come to symbolise this period of heroic Antarctic exploration.

Today, guided expeditions retrace one of the most dangerous hikes in the world traversing this treacherous, windswept and mountainous remote island. The trek comes in the form of a “self-contained” expedition where clients must carry their own clothing, food, fuel and tents. No sherpas here!

Further reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage

Darién Gap, Panama and Colombia

Biggest danger: unmapped jungle, threat of kidnap and poisonous flora and fauna

Unmapped: the Darién Gap is between 100km and 160km (60-100 miles)

Explorers have always been drawn to the Darién Gap, but the results have mostly been disastrous. The wild tropical forest has defeated travellers for centuries.

Stretching from Alaska to the end of the world in Argentina, the 48,000km (29,800mi) Pan-American Highway holds the record for the world’s longest drive-able road. However, there is a gap in the road where Panama meets Colombia. The gap is between 100km and 160km (60-100 miles) and there is no easy way through. You can take the ferry around it or… you could hike it. But you’ll probably die.

The route is often used for drug and people trafficking and the FARC rebels of Colombia were once active in the region (and possibly still are). The area is also home to some pretty unpleasant wildlife including the poisonous Panamanian golden frog, lethal jungle scorpions and the rather unpleasant black palm tree.

Further reading:

Crossing the Darien Gap: A Daring Journey Through a Forbidding and Enchanting and Roadless Jungle That Is the Only Link by Land Between North America and South America

The Maze, USA

Biggest danger: flash floods, rock falls and disorientation

The Maze in Utah is prone to flash floods

Canyonlands National Park in Utah is home to the rocky labyrinth known as the Maze, the least accessible district of the popular national park. The jumble of colourful canyons are rugged, deep and very easy to get lost in. GPS is often unreliable and the area is prone to flash floods and rock falls – think canyoneer Aron Ralston depicted in the movie 127 Hours. If you’re going, take a penknife with you. Ouch!

Further reading:

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Mount Hua Shan, China

Biggest danger: rickety wooden platforms, vertical stairways and tricky handholds

It’s estimated that Mount Hua Shan claims 100 lives per year

The western mountain of the Five Great Mountains of China has a long history of religious significance… and death. There are no official statistics on fatalities on Mount Hua Shan, but it has been estimated that the mountain claims around 100 lives per year! The trails up to the highest point of South Peak at 2,154m (7,000ft) involve steep stairways, vertical ascents and “trails” consisting of wooden platforms bolted onto the mountainside.

Further reading:

Celestial Realm: The Yellow Mountains of China

Snowman Trek, Bhutan

Biggest danger: capricious weather, extreme cold and altitude sickness

Gangkhar summit in Bhutan as seen from the Snowman Trek

This is one of the most dangerous hikes in the world as thru-hikers must stay above 4,000m (13,000ft) for a prolonged period of time – about 21 to 30 days. Staying at this altitude for any protracted length of time can lead to acute mountain sickness (AMS) or even high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Additionally, the steep assents, high-level passes (11 in total), remoteness of the locale and ever capricious weather conditions ensure an extremely challenging trek.

Further reading:

Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan

Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

Biggest danger: molten-hot lava, toxic vapours and crumbling terrain

It can be hot underfoot on Pacaya

After being dormant for over a century, Pacaya Volcano erupted violently in 1965 and has been erupting regularly ever since. The volcano, located just 30km (19mi) southwest of Guatemala City, is a popular tourist destination where guided groups pay a fee to be taken up to a crater. But this is not the most active (or most dangerous) crater on Pacaya.

The original “trail” has been officially closed to tourists although hard-core dedicated trekkers still make the covert hike up to the top of the mountain’s primary cinder cone. It’s best completed at night when the lava flows are more easily spotted.

Further reading:

Silence on the Mountain: Stories of Terror, Betrayal, and Forgetting in Guatemala

Chadar Trek, India

Biggest danger: severe cold and crossing frozen rivers

A hiker alongside the icy River Zanskar

One of India’s toughest treks is also one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. The route requires hikers to cross the frozen River Zanskar where the unnerving sound of gurgling water can be heard just below the ice sheet.

Once across the river, hikers still can’t relax. Much of the remaining route involves shimmying along the slippery rocks that line the riverside. Temperatures average below freezing throughout the trail, falling to -35°C (-30°F) at night when hikers usually sleep in caves below tapering icicles. Expect your nerves to be well and truly shot if you make it to the end.

Further reading:

Trekking in Ladakh

El Caminito del Rey, Spain

Biggest danger: narrow walkways over a 100m (330ft) drop to the river below

A climber below the pathway on El Caminito del Rey

Spain’s answer to Mount Hua Shan in China, El Caminito del Rey (the King’s little pathway), is not the daredevil hike it once was, but it still gets the adrenalin pumping. The 3km (1.8mi) concrete and steel path was built over 100 years ago to serve workers on a local hydroelectric plant.

The walkway fell into disrepair and was officially closed for over a decade. After extensive restoration, it reopened in 2015. Once known as the “world’s most dangerous hike” following five deaths in 1999 and 2000, it is now becoming a popular tourist attraction.

Further reading:

Rick Steves Snapshot Sevilla, Granada & Southern Spain

West Coast Trail, Canada

Biggest danger: steep ladder sections, storms and animal attacks

One of the more “stable” pathways now in place

Despite a relatively low death rate compared to some of the other hikes on this list, the West Coast Trail’s long, almost vertical ladder sections make it a real thrill-seeker’s hiking trail. The terrain is consistently uneven.

Hikers should be equipped to wade through rivers, scramble across steep slopes and be prepared for slippery conditions throughout. Storms regularly damage the trails and structures, making them even more dangerous or often impassable. Oh, and did I mention that one may encounter the odd bear or cougar en route?

Further reading:

Blisters and Bliss: A Trekker’s Guide to the West Coast Trail

Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa

Biggest danger: exposed rock scrambles, shaky chain ladders and bandits

Cathedral peak in the Drakensberg

Up until recently, the ‘only’ thing a hiker had to be concerned about was the terrifying fatality rate for which this hike was famous. Fifty-five people died on the route to year end 1985 – nearly always from falls. For some reason, official figures don’t exist from 1985 onwards, despite deaths being reported almost every year. Because of this, the route through KwaZulu-Natal province, known as ‘the garden province’, is regarded as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world.

To add to the dangers, in May 2016, reports surfaced of hikers being attacked and robbed by bandits wielding clubs and accompanied by fierce dogs. Judging by the comments in some of the reports, it wasn’t an isolated incident, reinforcing the Drakensberg’s place among the most dangerous hikes in the world.

Further reading: Walking in the Drakensberg: 75 walks in the Khahlamba-Drakensberg Park

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ghostwise · 6 years

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“You know, that’s not what an apology sounds like.”

He wouldn’t have thought it was possible to feel nauseous without a body.

Didn’t make sense, but that was before he’d experienced one of the teashop’sjumps. He could now jot that down as one of those things he never needed toknow, never wanted to know; but now knew, with dreadful intimacy at that.

“Quit holding it in.” Morana stared at him. “Zirnitra! Quit holding it in. Iwanna see what happens when a ghost throws up.”

“Go away.” He swatted at hermiserably.

“Okay. But call me if you vomit! I really, really wanna see.”

Zirnitra groaned, curling up on the floor and laying there motionless, content to beundisturbed while Morana checked the shop for damage.

Jumping through dimensions, he’d quickly learned, was no small feat. Beforehis first jump, Morana had explained all the many things that could go wrong.

For one, they were never guaranteed to land on solid ground. Landing in openseawater or a drop down the side of a cliff was not unheard of. That, along withthe sheer force of tearing through the fabric of space and time, would have long agodemolished the building were it not for Morana’s countless spells and wards. At this point the shop was more magic than architecture.

Then there was the wildlife and the people they might encounter... all who reacted ina perfectly understandable way to a building crashing in from thin air.

Laughing, Morana had assured Zirnitra that he would soon adjust and get his “sea legs”. But that remained to beseen.

When the witch reappeared at the window he had barely begun to feelbetter. He squinted blearily through the glass she was knocking at. She seemedto be shouting excitedly.

“I can’t hear you,” he said, sitting up and opening the latch. Letting in the alien scent of another world.

“Mandrakes!” Morana shouted simply before darting away.

“Ugh…” He groaned, stumbling to his feet. “Fine. I’m coming.”

It was no wonder she was so excited. It was unlike anything either of them had ever seen.

Outside the shop the mandrakes’ root systems wereeverywhere, like little highways criss-crossing the land. Zirnitra had to step over them, then heremembered he could float, and he did that instead, trailing behind Morana likean odd parade float.

“There are so many,” he said appreciatively, looking down at his friend as they explored.

“A whole mass of them,” she agreed.

“Like a herd.”

“Or a pack.”

“A pack of mandrakes. A murder of mandrakes.”

“An intrigue of mandrakes, ifyou will.”

Zirnitra laughed quietly. “Probablyjust a colony, really.”

“I’m gonna grab one,” Morana said.

Mandrakes were slow moving creatures. The adults roamed about freely whilethe young plants remained underground; it was these that were prized for theirmagical properties, though the adults were good for medicine too. Of course,all of them could scream, but usually only the little ones were dangerous.

“They’re so cute,” Zi sighed. “Just grab one of these wobbly old onesclosest to us. They look like they’ve had a long and fulfilling life.”

“What?” Morana snorted. “No. I’m getting a fresh one.”

“Mori!”

“Stop me,” she dared him, turning gracefully away and casting a lowvisibility spell on herself.

Whether reacting to movement or magic, or just the intense aura ofZirnitra’s pouting, the mandrakes huddled and rummaged about, closing in aroundthe nursery where the young mandrakes were planted. Still, they could not seeher, and she found her way around them easily.

Zirnitra briefly marveled at how such a colony had managed to grow. In hisexperience, mandrake colonies were rarely so well established.

“Pull the mortar and pestle from my pack,” she whispered.

“Sure, fine. Walk me through the plan please?”

“We’ll try a quick getaway. If it works, we may be able to come back and grab more later.They might not even notice one of their roots missing if we’re far enough away when itstarts to scream!”

“I see…” Zirnitra pulled the items from her pack, saying nothing else.

Positioning herself over a promising specimen, Morana crouched and grippedone hand around the base of the plant. She used her dagger to loosen the soil,working as gently as possible; mandrakes were skittish by nature. When that wasdone, she put her dagger back, and took the mortar and pestle.

“You have to be the one to pull it,” she said.

“Why me?”

“Because I only have two hands, and I need them to fly,” she said. “ThoughI can divide my attention between these two delicateprocedures, if you like.”

Crouched as she was, she didn’t see his answer; only heard a mournfulsigh before his hands came into view, grabbing the leaves.

“Fine.”

“On three,” she said, readying herself. “One. Two. Three.”

Thepestle struck the mortar, resounding with magic, and instantly they crashed through the canopy of trees abovethem.

Well, Morana crashed; Zirnitra didn’t feel it, immaterial as he was.

“Fuuuck that hurt,” she hissed, the words barely audible over roar of the windaround them.

Then, another more dreaded sound greeted them: the mandrake had begun toscream. It was sharp and relentless and keening, much too loud for something that small. But were they far away enough from the colony? Had the plan worked?

Zirnitra chanced a quick peek. They seemed to be pretty high up, which gave them a good look at the surrounding area. The new vantage point revealed some surprising features.

“There’s something strange—some kind of building in the forest! We shouldcheck it out, but I’m gonna land us at the shop first!” Morana yelled.

Even without eardrums the sound was unpleasant. Zirnitra clung to theplant, his arms tight around Morana’s waist, his senses already overloaded, but thescream seemed to somehow get louder, and it was—echoing?

“What is that? What’s happening?” he shouted, unable to turn around andsee.

“Oh, fuck me,” Morana said, as their descent gave them a closer look at the construct of wood and rock thatrose above the treetops. “It’s an amp.”

The rudimentary amplifying structures were spaced out evenly as far as she could see,catching any sound in the forest and broadcasting it, so that every mandrake in the forest knew toscream in unison. By this point she couldn’t even hear herself, the sound wasso intense.

“Fuck! Fucking hell.”

So the plan hadn’t quite worked. Struggling to land them down safely, Morana cupped her hand over themortar and held the pestle aloft, guiding them into a controlled fall.

It was still a bit of a tumble when they landed, but at least she had managed to get them onto the roof ofthe shop. They laid there, stunned, and more or less in one piece.

Impressive, considering her burst eardrums and the screaming of hundreds of mandrakes in the forest around them.

Adding insult to injury, the screaming mandrake kicked her in the stomach, and rolled out of Zirnitra’shands.

It rolled down the angled rooftop and landed on the ground below, stillshrieking. Then it waddled into the treeline.

Neither of them made any move to stop it. It must’ve made it back to itscolony, because the screaming soon died off—though its echoes were stillharnessed in that network of amplifying structures throughout the forest.

Zirnitra crawled feebly toward the edge of the roof, unable to resist any longer.

“… Are you doing it?” Morana asked, looking over. “I wanna see.”

“Fuck you,” he wheezed.

“Show me.”

“I am not showing you. I told you to leave the baby ones alone.”

“But the baby ones… are the best ones,” she countered weakly.

“You know, that’s not what an apology sounds like.”

Morana clambered over to his side. She peeked over the edge of thebuilding, looking down at the ectoplasm on the ground. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But I donot control the technological advancements of mandrakes.”

“Ugh,”

“It was a good plan. But we miscalculated. They’ve evolved. Who knew they had it in them!”

“Please, just,” he groaned, nauseous again, “Make it sto-o-op.”

“Okay.”

Morana willed a soundproof barrier of air around them.

She did not miss the long-suffering look Zi shot her. She was justthankful neither of them said anything more about it, or acknowledged that shecould have done that all along.

#therebewhaleshere #rinnywrites #oc: morana #oc: zirnitra #thank youuu! <3 #i spent days pondering ideas for this then i realized it worked for a bit i've been dying to write for years lol #i'm always excited to write a solid four pages of my ocs being dumb

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andrea-cristina-travel-blog · 6 years

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The Elephants are returning: Visiting Cambodia’s Chi Phat Eco-tourism project

Read our wonderful and slightly scary journey to Chi-Phat community based eco-tourism project in Cambodia’s Cardamon Mountains. “The elephants are returning” our guide Leeheng smiles proudly, waving an outstretched arm across the open plain before us. “You know, a few years ago there were none here. They got scared by the hunting and the guns and moved away, into Thailand. Now, they’re starting to come back again”. His smile is one of those enthusiastic ones that sweep you along with it, helping to dissipate the memory of the steaming hot jungle-clad incline we’ve been scrambling up for the last hour. It’s hard to imagine that merely a decade ago, our presence on this peaceful grassy hilltop plain in Cambodia’s Southern Cardamom mountain region would have been impossible at best, deadly at worst. After the collapse of Pol Pot’s murderous communist regime in 1979, his loyal guerrilla fighters quite literally fled for the hills – choosing the thick jungle cover of the Cardamoms as their last stronghold. What followed was nearly 15 years of violent war and chaos for the region; mines were laid, villages attacked, locals murdered in grisly clashes. When the last of the Khmer Rouge fighters were finally driven from the area, the locals who remained were left impoverished. With few options available for survival, many had no choice but to enter the lucrative poaching and logging trades to support their families. Surprisingly, despite the ensuing destruction, the 1443 sq km mountain area has remained home to many a rare and endangered species. Big cats, elephants, gibbons, deer, wild pigs, snakes, and the extremely threatened Pangolin have survived amongst some of the most unchartered flora in the world. A chance at lasting positive change came in the form of an approach to village elders by American-based conservation NGO Wildlife Alliance. Together, they developed big plans for a community-based ecotourism (CBET) project in the Cardamoms and Leeheng’s village, Chi Phat, that set the wheels in motion for Cambodia’s most successful conservation project, transforming the lives of its residents completely. OUR VISIT TO CAMBODIA’S ECO-TOURISM SUCCESS STORY, CHI PHAT COMMUNITY-BASED ECOTOURISM IN CAMBODIA Today, Chi Phat welcomes fighters of a very different kind with open arms; those workers, volunteers, and travellers interested in the battle for environmental conservation. It’s this goal and a promise of world-class hiking that has brought us to our current grassy plain and the first of our three-day hike into the mountains surrounding the village of Chi Phat. Getting to Chi Phat is half the adventure. It’s a 4-hour bus ride from Phnom Penh to the small highway town of Andoung Tuek, and (having missed the 2-hour boat ride alternative) a white-knuckled 45-minute ride through fields of sugarcane and patches of sand on the back of a local motorbike to this pretty community of 500 families. Colourful bamboo houses on stilts line the two dusty red streets, giggling children wave sous-dey (hello) enthusiastically, and all around us are the genuinely welcoming, happy smiles of locals. Villagers, like Leeheng, who once roamed the forests in search of a quick payday are now wildlife warriors, now lead educational cycling, kayaking and trekking tours, training as cooks, opening guesthouses, learning English and computer skills, and working together to protect their futures. Under his knowledgeable eye over the next few days we explore the stunning and diverse ecosystems on offer; thick jungle, mountain ranges, grasslands, lush river systems; eagerly observing animal tracks. We camp in hammocks under the stars and swim in refreshing waterfalls. While we have the time of our lives, we’ll also be supporting a community working tirelessly to protect their environment, helping to provide them with a livelihood far removed from those of their pasts. Read more | Our guide to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh Leeheng opens up about the huge shift he’s seen take place over the last few years. A former hunter (mostly deer, wild pig, and Pangolin) and logger himself, he knows first-hand what it signifies for him and his young family. “It was hard at first, some people had no choice but hunting or logging – we had to make money. “Everyone thought they’d lose their income, so only 20% of the community supported it at first. But now almost 100% support it because the tourists come. We have jobs and opportunities again,” he shares. Not only do they have opportunities again (over 5,000 people have benefited from the creation of sustainable jobs in Chi Phat), they are passionate about sharing their expert knowledge of the area with visitors. That passion has been helped along by intensive conservation and guide training programs established by the CBET and Wildlife Alliance. We pause regularly to inspect the day-old tracks of a herd of elephants, taste a Tamarind pod, discover a new plant species. We eat a meal made from root vegetables found in the forest and drink water from vines one afternoon. “City people don’t know how to do this,” Leeheng winks, “this is something you grow up learning around here”. As we eat lunch, sitting cross-legged in the middle of a dry river bed one day, we ask him whether there’s a downside to this huge change. To him it’s extremely simple; “In the past, if I killed a deer I might make $100USD. But now if I bring people here and they don’t see any animals, I feel pretty sad. If someone visits and sees lots of animals, they might tell their friends and encourage other people to come here. Our community could earn $10,000, maybe $20,000 USD instead”, he tells us. The community is now starting to show signs of prosperity, and it’s obvious that they realise they have a stake in the protection and health of their home. Last year, the Chi Phat community celebrated 10 years of zero elephant poaching in the Southern Cardamom Forest region; a monumental achievement. We get an incredibly authentic taste of the returning elephants on our second day, when Leeheng stops abruptly in front of us, holding up a hand for quiet. He’s spotted fresh tracks and believes a wild elephant could be in the area – confirmed by the faint sounds of the ground being trampled and low grunts about 300 metres away. Our excitement at the find turns to something a little more serious when he warns us quietly that we have to walk quickly, a sober expression on his normally cheerful face. As we move forward, he swings the back of an axe hard against a tree, a gunshot-like sound ringing out through the thick forest. Cambodia’s Islands | Why you need to visit them now The elephants here haven’t forgotten the hunting days when bullets fired by humans would land amongst their herd. It makes them a dangerous animal for a human to encounter in these forests today, but Leeheng hopes their fear of the sound of guns will keep them well away from us. Pausing frequently to take stock, he inspects tracks, listens to the low grunts in the distance. When we come across a strong earthy smell – a mound of very fresh droppings – and damage to ferns, tree trunks and plants reminiscent of a rogue ride-on mower, he gathers us around urgently. He thinks it’s a mother and child, meaning protective aggression is a real risk. “They’re extremely close now, maybe 100 metres. If you see the elephant on the path, drop your bag immediately and run through the jungle. They can’t turn easily, so find the biggest tree you can and run behind it. Then move to the next and do the same. If you get lost, get to the river and head downstream. We’ll find you”. Senses sharpened, we move stealthily along the paths to the nearby soundtrack of grunting and Bush-bashing(while hoping the fact we haven’t showered in a few days won’t give us completely away). With Leehengs help, we escape any face-to-face meetings with a territorial mother – but if our close encounter is the price to pay for CBET and the Wildlife Alliance achieving their goals of protecting the area’s remaining elephant population, we’ll happily take it. Since its inception, the program has resulted in the reforesting of 733 hectares of degraded areas, cancelled 36 land concessions, and protected 720,000 hectares of tropical forests from illegal loggers and industrial encroachment. It’s a success story that leads the way in eco-tourism initiatives around the world. But sadly, not everyone values their incredible successes; during our time in the mountains, there were whispers of devastating Chinese development threatening to destroy the region with mining and dams. There is a chance that the long-term future of CBET is again at the very real risk of crushing environmental destruction and financial uncertainty. They’re fighting hard though, with many protests and legal cases underway. In the meantime, the elephants are returning, and the community of Chi Phat is on the rise. Thinking of visiting Cambodia? Don’t miss Chi Phat for an incredible, unique experience in the Cardamom Mountains. Have you been before? Share your stories in the comments below! Visiting Cambodia? You might like these posts: Why you need to visit the Cambodian Islands now 16 incredible useful things to know before visiting Cambodia 30 photos that will make you want to visit Cambodia Need to book accommodation in Cambodia? Check out Hotel’s Combined for the best hotel deals Cambodia has some of the best hostels in Asia – check them out via Hostel World FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES ON FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST LIKE THIS POST? PIN AND SHARE IT! JOIN OUR TRIBE & WANDER WITH US Join 30,000+ people and receive travel stories, tips + hacks, and stunning photography to inspire your wanderlust. Straight to your inbox We hate spammers. We'll never be those people. The post The Elephants are returning: Visiting Cambodia’s Chi Phat Eco-tourism project appeared first on The Common Wanderer.

https://www.thecommonwanderer.com/chi-phat-eco-tourism-project-cambodia/

#Asia #Cambodia #Destinations #Featured #Cardamom Forest #Cardamom Mountains #Chi Phat #Eco-tourism #Elephants #environmental travel #responsible travel #South Cardamom Mountains #Wildlife Alliance

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louisjhwk651blog-blog · 7 years

Text

The Ultimate Guide To test brand

Ecuador is the next smallest place in South The usa, with Colombia to its north and Peru towards the south. The Galapagos Islands, which lie a little bit about 600 miles to the west during the Pacific Ocean, are a Component of Ecuador. The place enjoys moderate, tropical local weather within the coastal locations and the lowlands of your Amazon, and cooler temperatures during the Andean highlands. With all the equator passing appropriate through it, Ecuador would not working experience temperature fluctuations or incredibly chilly climate. That's why, the ideal time to go to can be nicely, at any time! All you need to know is that you need to be properly Geared up with the rains or perhaps the significant heat on the Sunshine. Are you aware that Ecuador is without doubt one of the megadiverse countries of the planet, due to its astounding ecological diversity? Being a vacationer, the region will enthrall you with its mix of unique plant and animal existence. By using a loaded cultural heritage, Ecuador has ample issues in retailer to satisfy your cultural thirst. And for The journey freaks out there, the nation delivers loads of prospects for an adrenaline rush. Quito The funds and the next-most populated city in Ecuador, Quito was declared as being a Globe Heritage Site by UNESCO for its well-preserved architectural web sites courting again on the Spanish colonial period. Nestled in the Andean valley, Quito is simultaneously a city with a quaint attraction, in addition to a present day, bustling metropolis with high-rises and crowded streets. Quito is quite perfectly-noted for its church buildings. Pay a visit to the Basilica del Voto nike bot partial Nacional, certainly one of the largest church buildings on this planet! The other immensely well-known churches are Church of La Compania de Jesus, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Church of El Sagrario, as well as the Church of Santo Domingo. Into the north of the town lies the Mitad del Mundo, which means Middle of the entire world. The monument There's built to denote The purpose over which the equator passes via Ecuador. The put is brimming with vacationers who uncover it thrilling to really stroll in both of those hemispheres simultaneously! It is usually the very best location to invest in lovely souvenirs and flavor some nearby Ecuadorian fare. Quito is likewise home to various parks, Using the Parque Metropolitano Guanguiltagua acquiring the distinction of currently being the biggest public park in South America. Parque la Carolina, El Ejido, and La Alameda are some other parks you'll be able to take a look at, not just for character viewing, but routines such as boating, picnics, and biking. Correct mother nature fans really should make their solution to the Mindo, which is residence to a cloud forest and constantly protected with mist, and teems with a wonderful range of crops and trees endemic to the position. The Pichincha province, where Quito lies, also boasts with the Rucu and Guagua volcanoes. The Pulalahua Geobotanical Reserve also features a crater which travelers can watch since it is easily available by highway. This region, interestingly ample, Regardless of becoming close to a volcano, continues to be inhabited by individuals. Quito also features a lively nightlife, so for those who need to check out stylish pubs, clubs, and cafes, head to La Mariscal Sucre, a colourful place extremely popular with Global holidaymakers. It is additionally fondly referred to as gringolandia by the locals, the phrase gringo which means foreigner. You will certainly not would like to skip the aerial tram ride TeleferiQo, which will take you from the city Heart to Cruz Loma, a hill just exterior Quito, where by you could find numerous places to eat and procuring retailers, and which also provides a breathtaking perspective of the town from best. Have a journey up north for the compact town of Otavalo, famed with customers, where the indigenous people in the town manufacture and provide colorful conventional clothes, musical devices, jewelry, local spices, and picket statues. Guayaquil The country's premier city, which lies around the financial institutions from the Guayas river, is witnessing a gradual shift, quickly emerging as being the number 1 Intercontinental vacationer destination in South The usa. Guayaquil is the commercial capital of Ecuador, and to witness town's transformation from a small town to a world tourist scorching spot, it's essential to take a look at the Malecon 2000, a river boardwalk, and the ideal location to see both of those the historic landmarks and fashionable higher rises of Guayaquil. You normally takes a leisurely stroll and dine within the eateries lining the pathways. Parque Seminario is a large park in town, the exciting feature staying it can be dwelling to many iguanas, so you are allowed to feed them fruit slices that happen to be marketed by nearby sellers. A statue of Simon Bolivar on horseback is additionally a outstanding landmark during the park. If you're an artwork lover, you should have a journey to Las Penas, the creative hub of Guayaquil. There are plenty of art galleries. When you are interested in purchasing (who is just not?) head towards the Bahia, Mercado Artesanal, and Urdesa localities, and try to remember, these are generally destinations in which you can haggle! A climb to your Cerro Santa Ana will go away you weary, but the journey is worth it. There are in excess of 400 stairs (which might be numbered!) foremost up on the watchtower from wherever you can find some gorgeous sights of the city underneath. Vividly coloured residences and cafes line either side of your measures, so be sure you prevent at one of the eateries to appreciate genuine Ecuadorian Delicacies. There isn't any dearth of botanical reserves in Ecuador, and you also are sure to stumble upon various of them, whichever Section of the place that you are in. So head into the Cerro Blanco Guarded Forest, situated over the outskirts of Guayaquil, which hosts more than three hundred plant species and five hundred animal species! Banos This one particular is definitely to the adrenaline junkie! Extremely preferred with international vacationers, persons from everywhere in the environment appear right here to take pleasure in outdoor routines. People today confer with Banos given that the gateway into the Amazon forests, as well as the town is positioned at the base with the Tungurahua volcano. You could wish to rent a mountain bicycle and take a hike during the mountains, or hire an ATV and roam round the position. Banos is heaven for those having a sweet tooth, since it is environment-renowned with the taffy it produces, recognized locally as melcocha. Llanganates Countrywide Park, A different haven for admirers of wildlife, is found close to Banos. A pay a visit to to your San Martin Zoological Gardens provides you with an insight within the wildlife located in the Amazonian jungles, and it is a Middle for nursing injured animals again to health and fitness. These gardens also offer you safety to endangered Amazonian species of wildlife. Look through the small retailers lining the streets for silver jewelry and local handicrafts. A short length from Banos is Puyo, plus the roads main you'll find dotted with amazing waterfalls, not to be missed by travellers. Do not forget to experience along the Ruta de las Cascadas (Highway on the Waterfalls), and Pailon del Diablo. Cable autos (regionally referred to as tarabitas) are operational around the hills resulting in the waterfalls. You usually takes a trip in them to see the amazing check out of the cascades operating below. The other highlight with the town could be the hydrothermal springs, Along with the drinking water getting heated naturally via the volcano. These are identified through the entire town, and folks flock to them to appreciate thermal baths. Galapagos Islands And eventually, we arrive at the earth-renowned Galapagos Islands, exactly where Charles Darwin designed his observations, main him to think of the revolutionary concept of evolution. Teeming with many species of flora and fauna, a trip to Ecuador is incomplete with no checking out the Galapagos Islands. San Cristobal, the second of the biggest inhabited island, homes the Frigate Chook Hill, the most beneficial put to observe frigate birds in all their glory. The street downhill will lead you to Las Tijeretas Bay in which you can love snorkeling! Playa Cabo de Horno, another place on San Cristobal island is actually a haven for surfers. With some Excellent breakers, you will certainly Have got a intellect-blowing surfing experience. For that scuba diving fanatics, Kicker Rock is definitely the spot! Notable for its scenic attractiveness, this rock reminds one among a sleeping lion suitable in the course of the ocean, and divers from all over the environment come below to dive. Check out the Charles Darwin Exploration Station to the Santa Cruz island, named following the islands' most popular customer. Experts Here i will discuss associated with conserving the biological variety of the world, especially in the treatment and breeding of huge tortoises. Tourists also delight in browsing the lava tubes, underground tunnels made by molten lava movement. Wildlife explorers can appreciate seeing animals in their purely natural habitats, like equally land and marine iguanas, Galapagos tortoises, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos environmentally friendly turtles, endemic species of Darwin's finches, as well as the Galapagos sea lions, which can be extremely curious. Punta Cormorant, over the Floreana island, is bestowed with two vastly different beach locations. A person is actually a dim, sandy Seashore, that is definitely scattered with olivine crystals, remnants of a volcanic eruption. The second 1 is a virginal golden sand colored Seaside with crystal apparent h2o, and also the encompassing hills carved outside of black volcanic rock are a stunning distinction along with a delight to view. The area is perfect for recognizing reef sharks, stingrays, shiny pink sally lightfoot crabs, and various colourful fish. Ecuador, a relatively tiny country has a little something in keep for all types of vacationers, whether It truly is the warm and inviting Pacific coasts, the Amazonian rainforests, or even the Andean highlands, never to forget about the splendid Galapagos Islands. So pack your bags and be with your way, for the reason that a magical and actually unforgettable holiday getaway knowledge awaits you in Ecuador.

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topfygad · 5 years

Text

Don’t look down: the most dangerous hikes in the world

It’s not just dizzying heights that make these the most dangerous hikes in the world. Prepare to contend with extreme weather, erupting volcanoes and dangerous wildlife on these hair-raising hikes.

Just back from Ethiopia, we thought we’d update the most dangerous hikes in the world to include our latest vertigo-inducing adventure, hiking Abuna Yemata Guh.

Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia

Biggest danger: narrow ledges, deep chasms and hiking in bare feet

youtube

Further reading:

Vertical Ethiopia, Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa

Shackleton’s Route, South Georgia Island, South Atlantic/Antarctica

Biggest danger: exposure, crevasses and a very remote location

In the footsteps of legends on South Georgia Island

Further reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage

Darién Gap, Panama and Colombia

Biggest danger: unmapped jungle, threat of kidnap and poisonous flora and fauna

Unmapped: the Darién Gap is between 100km and 160km (60-100 miles)

Explorers have always been drawn to the Darién Gap, but the results have mostly been disastrous. The wild tropical forest has defeated travellers for centuries.

Further reading:

Crossing the Darien Gap: A Daring Journey Through a Forbidding and Enchanting and Roadless Jungle That Is the Only Link by Land Between North America and South America

The Maze, USA

Biggest danger: flash floods, rock falls and disorientation

The Maze in Utah is prone to flash floods

Further reading:

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Mount Hua Shan, China

Biggest danger: rickety wooden platforms, vertical stairways and tricky handholds

It’s estimated that Mount Hua Shan claims 100 lives per year

Further reading:

Celestial Realm: The Yellow Mountains of China

Snowman Trek, Bhutan

Biggest danger: capricious weather, extreme cold and altitude sickness

Gangkhar summit in Bhutan as seen from the Snowman Trek

Further reading:

Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan

Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

Biggest danger: molten-hot lava, toxic vapours and crumbling terrain

It can be hot underfoot on Pacaya

Further reading:

Silence on the Mountain: Stories of Terror, Betrayal, and Forgetting in Guatemala

Chadar Trek, India

Biggest danger: severe cold and crossing frozen rivers

A hiker alongside the icy River Zanskar

Further reading:

Trekking in Ladakh

El Caminito del Rey, Spain

Biggest danger: narrow walkways over a 100m (330ft) drop to the river below

A climber below the pathway on El Caminito del Rey

Further reading:

Rick Steves Snapshot Sevilla, Granada & Southern Spain

West Coast Trail, Canada

Biggest danger: steep ladder sections, storms and animal attacks

One of the more “stable” pathways now in place

Further reading:

Blisters and Bliss: A Trekker’s Guide to the West Coast Trail

Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa

Biggest danger: exposed rock scrambles, shaky chain ladders and bandits

Cathedral peak in the Drakensberg

Further reading: Walking in the Drakensberg: 75 walks in the Khahlamba-Drakensberg Park

Lead image: Dreamstime

As Amazon Associates, Atlas & Boots may earn commission from qualifying purchases. More information can be found here.

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/2PmaCuy via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Cheapr Travels

0 notes

topfygad · 5 years

Text

Don’t look down: the most dangerous hikes in the world

It’s not just dizzying heights that make these the most dangerous hikes in the world. Prepare to contend with extreme weather, erupting volcanoes and dangerous wildlife on these hair-raising hikes.

Just back from Ethiopia, we thought we’d update the most dangerous hikes in the world to include our latest vertigo-inducing adventure, hiking Abuna Yemata Guh.

Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia

Biggest danger: narrow ledges, deep chasms and hiking in bare feet

youtube

Further reading:

Vertical Ethiopia, Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa

Shackleton’s Route, South Georgia Island, South Atlantic/Antarctica

Biggest danger: exposure, crevasses and a very remote location

In the footsteps of legends on South Georgia Island

Further reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage

Darién Gap, Panama and Colombia

Biggest danger: unmapped jungle, threat of kidnap and poisonous flora and fauna

Unmapped: the Darién Gap is between 100km and 160km (60-100 miles)

Explorers have always been drawn to the Darién Gap, but the results have mostly been disastrous. The wild tropical forest has defeated travellers for centuries.

Further reading:

Crossing the Darien Gap: A Daring Journey Through a Forbidding and Enchanting and Roadless Jungle That Is the Only Link by Land Between North America and South America

The Maze, USA

Biggest danger: flash floods, rock falls and disorientation

The Maze in Utah is prone to flash floods

Further reading:

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Mount Hua Shan, China

Biggest danger: rickety wooden platforms, vertical stairways and tricky handholds

It’s estimated that Mount Hua Shan claims 100 lives per year

Further reading:

Celestial Realm: The Yellow Mountains of China

Snowman Trek, Bhutan

Biggest danger: capricious weather, extreme cold and altitude sickness

Gangkhar summit in Bhutan as seen from the Snowman Trek

Further reading:

Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan

Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

Biggest danger: molten-hot lava, toxic vapours and crumbling terrain

It can be hot underfoot on Pacaya

Further reading:

Silence on the Mountain: Stories of Terror, Betrayal, and Forgetting in Guatemala

Chadar Trek, India

Biggest danger: severe cold and crossing frozen rivers

A hiker alongside the icy River Zanskar

Further reading:

Trekking in Ladakh

El Caminito del Rey, Spain

Biggest danger: narrow walkways over a 100m (330ft) drop to the river below

A climber below the pathway on El Caminito del Rey

Further reading:

Rick Steves Snapshot Sevilla, Granada & Southern Spain

West Coast Trail, Canada

Biggest danger: steep ladder sections, storms and animal attacks

One of the more “stable” pathways now in place

Further reading:

Blisters and Bliss: A Trekker’s Guide to the West Coast Trail

Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa

Biggest danger: exposed rock scrambles, shaky chain ladders and bandits

Cathedral peak in the Drakensberg

Further reading: Walking in the Drakensberg: 75 walks in the Khahlamba-Drakensberg Park

Lead image: Dreamstime

As Amazon Associates, Atlas & Boots may earn commission from qualifying purchases. More information can be found here.

source http://cheaprtravels.com/dont-look-down-the-most-dangerous-hikes-in-the-world/

0 notes

andrea-cristina-travel-blog · 7 years

Photo

The Elephants are returning: Visiting Cambodia’s Chi Phat Eco-tourism project

“The elephants are returning to Chi Phat” our guide Leeheng smiles proudly, waving an outstretched arm across the open plain before us. “You know, a few years ago there were none here. They got scared by the hunting and the guns and moved away, into Thailand. Now, they’re starting to come back again”. His smile is one of those enthusiastic ones that sweep you along with it, helping to dissipate the memory of the steaming hot jungle-clad incline we’ve been scrambling up for the last hour. It’s hard to imagine that merely a decade ago, our presence on this peaceful grassy hilltop plain in Cambodia’s Southern Cardamom mountain region would have been impossible at best, deadly at worst. After the collapse of Pol Pot’s murderous communist regime in 1979, his loyal guerrilla fighters quite literally fled for the hills – choosing the thick jungle cover of the Cardamoms as their last stronghold. What followed was nearly 15 years of violent war and chaos for the region; mines were laid, villages attacked, locals murdered in grisly clashes. When the last of the Khmer Rouge fighters were finally driven from the area, the locals who remained were left impoverished. With few options available for survival, many had no choice but to enter the lucrative poaching and logging trades to support their families. Surprisingly, despite the ensuing destruction, the 1443 sq km mountain area has remained home to many a rare and endangered species. Big cats, elephants, gibbons, deer, wild pigs, snakes, and the extremely threatened Pangolin have survived amongst some of the most unchartered flora in the world. A chance at lasting positive change came in the form of an approach to village elders by American-based conservation NGO Wildlife Alliance. Together, they developed big plans for a community-based ecotourism (CBET) project in the Cardamoms and Leeheng’s village, Chi Phat, that set the wheels in motion for Cambodia’s most successful conservation project, transforming the lives of its residents completely. OUR VISIT TO CAMBODIA’S ECO-TOURISM SUCCESS STORY, CHI PHAT COMMUNITY-BASED ECOTOURISM IN CAMBODIA Today, Chi Phat welcomes fighters of a very different kind with open arms; those workers, volunteers, and travellers interested in the battle for environmental conservation. It’s this goal and a promise of world-class hiking that has brought us to our current grassy plain and the first of our three-day hike into the mountains surrounding the village of Chi Phat. Getting here is half the adventure. It’s a 4-hour bus ride from Phnom Penh to the small highway town of Andoung Tuek, and (having missed the 2-hour boat ride alternative) a white-knuckled 45-minute ride through fields of sugarcane and patches of sand on the back of a local motorbike to this pretty community of 500 families. Colourful bamboo houses on stilts line the two dusty red streets, giggling children wave sous-dey (hello) enthusiastically, and all around us are the genuinely welcoming, happy smiles of locals. Villagers, like Leeheng, who once roamed the forests in search of a quick payday are now wildlife warriors, now lead educational cycling, kayaking and trekking tours, training as cooks, opening guesthouses, learning English and computer skills, and working together to protect their futures. Under his knowledgeable eye over the next few days we explore the stunning and diverse ecosystems on offer; thick jungle, mountain ranges, grasslands, lush river systems; eagerly observing animal tracks. We camp in hammocks under the stars and swim in refreshing waterfalls. While we have the time of our lives, we’ll also be supporting a community working tirelessly to protect their environment, helping to provide them with a livelihood far removed from those of their pasts. Read more | Our guide to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh Leeheng opens up about the huge shift he’s seen take place over the last few years. A former hunter (mostly deer, wild pig, and Pangolin) and logger himself, he knows first-hand what it signifies for him and his young family. “It was hard at first, some people had no choice but hunting or logging – we had to make money. “Everyone thought they’d lose their income, so only 20% of the community supported it at first. But now almost 100% support it because the tourists come. We have jobs and opportunities again,” he shares. Not only do they have opportunities again (over 5,000 people have benefited from the creation of sustainable jobs here), they are passionate about sharing their expert knowledge of the area with visitors. That passion has been helped along by intensive conservation and guide training programs established by the CBET and Wildlife Alliance. We pause regularly to inspect the day-old tracks of a herd of elephants, taste a Tamarind pod, discover a new plant species. We eat a meal made from root vegetables found in the forest and drink water from vines one afternoon. “City people don’t know how to do this,” Leeheng winks, “this is something you grow up learning around here”. As we eat lunch, sitting cross-legged in the middle of a dry river bed one day, we ask him whether there’s a downside to this huge change. To him it’s extremely simple; “In the past, if I killed a deer I might make $100USD. But now if I bring people here and they don’t see any animals, I feel pretty sad. If someone visits and sees lots of animals, they might tell their friends and encourage other people to come here. Our community could earn $10,000, maybe $20,000 USD instead”, he tells us. The community is now starting to show signs of prosperity, and it’s obvious that they realise they have a stake in the protection and health of their home. Last year, the community celebrated 10 years of zero elephant poaching in the Southern Cardamom Forest region; a monumental achievement. We get an incredibly authentic taste of the returning elephants on our second day, when Leeheng stops abruptly in front of us, holding up a hand for quiet. He’s spotted fresh tracks and believes a wild elephant could be in the area – confirmed by the faint sounds of the ground being trampled and low grunts about 300 metres away. Our excitement at the find turns to something a little more serious when he warns us quietly that we have to walk quickly, a sober expression on his normally cheerful face. As we move forward, he swings the back of an axe hard against a tree, a gunshot-like sound ringing out through the thick forest. Cambodia’s Islands | Why you need to visit them now The elephants here haven’t forgotten the hunting days when bullets fired by humans would land amongst their herd. It makes them a dangerous animal for a human to encounter in these forests today, but Leeheng hopes their fear of the sound of guns will keep them well away from us. Pausing frequently to take stock, he inspects tracks, listens to the low grunts in the distance. When we come across a strong earthy smell – a mound of very fresh droppings – and damage to ferns, tree trunks and plants reminiscent of a rogue ride-on mower, he gathers us around urgently. He thinks it’s a mother and child, meaning protective aggression is a real risk. “They’re extremely close now, maybe 100 metres. If you see the elephant on the path, drop your bag immediately and run through the jungle. They can’t turn easily, so find the biggest tree you can and run behind it. Then move to the next and do the same. If you get lost, get to the river and head downstream. We’ll find you”. Senses sharpened, we move stealthily along the paths to the nearby soundtrack of grunting and Bush-bashing(while hoping the fact we haven’t showered in a few days won’t give us completely away). With Leehengs help, we escape any face-to-face meetings with a territorial mother – but if our close encounter is the price to pay for CBET and the Wildlife Alliance achieving their goals of protecting the area’s remaining elephant population, we’ll happily take it. Since its inception, the program has resulted in the reforesting of 733 hectares of degraded areas, cancelled 36 land concessions, and protected 720,000 hectares of tropical forests from illegal loggers and industrial encroachment. It’s a success story that leads the way in eco-tourism initiatives around the world. But sadly, not everyone values their incredible successes; during our time in the mountains, there were whispers of devastating Chinese development threatening to destroy the region with mining and dams. There is a chance that the long-term future of CBET is again at the very real risk of crushing environmental destruction and financial uncertainty. They’re fighting hard though, with many protests and legal cases underway. In the meantime, the elephants are returning, and the community of Chi Phat is on the rise. Thinking of visiting Cambodia? Don’t miss Chi Phat for an incredible, unique experience in the Cardamom Mountains. Have you been before? Share your stories in the comments below! Visiting Cambodia? You might like these posts: Why you need to visit the Cambodian Islands now 16 incredible useful things to know before visiting Cambodia 30 photos that will make you want to visit Cambodia Need to book accommodation in Cambodia? Check out Hotel’s Combined for the best hotel deals Cambodia has some of the best hostels in Asia – check them out via Hostel World FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES ON FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST LIKE THIS POST? PIN AND SHARE IT! JOIN OUR TRIBE & WANDER WITH US Join 30,000+ people and receive travel stories, tips + hacks, and stunning photography to inspire your wanderlust. Straight to your inbox We hate spammers. We'll never be those people. The post The Elephants are returning: Visiting Cambodia’s Chi Phat Eco-tourism project appeared first on The Common Wanderer.

https://www.thecommonwanderer.com/chi-phat-eco-tourism-project-cambodia/

#Asia #Cambodia #Destinations #Featured #Cardamom Forest #Cardamom Mountains #Chi Phat #Eco-tourism #Elephants #environmental travel #responsible travel #South Cardamom Mountains #Wildlife Alliance

0 notes