forests are comprised of hardwoods and softwoods, including
maple, black cherry, beech, balsam fir, hemlock, Scotch
and red pine and spruces of several varieties. Woodland
wildflowers such as showy ladyslippers bloom in the spring,
while many waterways are graced with white and yellow water
lilies throughout the summer. There are several Alpine
summits in the Adirondacks where rare plants thrive under
adverse conditions. Hikers are cautioned to stay on paths
or bare rocks when visiting these summits.
Adirondacks are part of the Canadian Shield. Contrary to
popular belief, these mountains are not old, "worn
down" peaks, but relatively young mountains born as
a result of orogeny, or uplift, followed by etching and
carving by mile-high glaciers. It is theorized that there
is a geologic "hotspot" beneath the Adirondacks
that is causing continuing uplift. The mountains continue
to grow at the rate of 1.5 millimeters annually.
the mountains themselves are young, the rock of which most
are formed, anorthosite, is among the oldest of the various
types found on earth.
Vultures at Dawn
Great Sacandaga Lake
The turkey vulture is one of the only birds in North America
with a sense of smell. This vulture relies both on its keen eyesight
and powerful nose to search
to popular belief, circling vultures do not necessarily indicate
the presence of a dead animal. Circling vultures may be gaining
altitude for long flights, searching for food, or playing.
These birds soar on thermals of warm, rising air. This
allows them to best conserve their energy in flight.
After rising on the thermal, they glide as
far as possible before they need to gain altitude again. They also rely on
thermals of warm air to remain aloft while scanning the ground for food.
You will certainly see vultures in the air over a carcass,
but in the case of small carcasses, the descent is
rapid. As for larger carcasses, while
remaining on the lookout for food, vultures are equally attuned to their
They note when others' behavior indicates the discovery of a food source,
and will flock to the area. Often, the entire group will remain aloft until
birds have arrived to dispose of the carcass in a timely fashion.
note, however, that American vultures are not known to circle
a dying animal.