Category: Field Notes from Floyds Fork

We have evidence that Squire Boone once owned a piece of The Parklands property—his signature crosses one of our deeds. We have no evidence, however, that he, or his more famous brother, Daniel, ever set foot on the property. We … Continue reading

In a forest, trees grow skyward, reaching for gaps of light in the canopy. Most tree species have is a single “leader” that dominates by chemically suppressing side branches from bending upward and reaching higher. Conifers, such as pine and … Continue reading

In deep shade along Floyds Fork, just downstream from Broad Run is the park’s only stand of river cane (Arundinaria gigantean). The patch, a trifling 200 square feet, seems to be hiding, trying to stay unfound, and wondering where its … Continue reading

Seeking refuge from sweltering summer heat in the deep shade of the Fork one cannot miss the eastern sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). In all of the eastern forest the sycamore tree may be the easiest to identify. It is the largest … Continue reading

My first encounter with an eastern box turtle occurred in the forested Trestle Pointe property near Fisherville. I was surveying the property for the first time when I nearly stepped on the cryptically colored, yellow and black domed shell (called … Continue reading

Perhaps more than any other animal, the white-tailed deer needs little introduction. We see deer in our yards, feeding in fields and along the highway, and unfortunately, often hit by cars. Some animal lovers feed them, while gardeners scorn them … Continue reading

The narrow window of time between the short, sometimes snowy, days of winter and when leaves emerge on deciduous trees is a busy one. The days warm as the sun climbs higher in the sky and its warmth penetrates to … Continue reading

Arguably, the only rule in nature is that change is constant.  The Floyds Fork landscape is no exception.  For this landscape clearly presents a case study in the interactions of climate, vegetation, and human land use and the story is … Continue reading

This spring The Parklands gave birth to 13 coyote pups from two dens. I captured one of the dens on video. But before we get to that, let’s review the story of the eastern coyote. Coyotes are a new phenomenon … Continue reading

The geologic foundation of Louisville contains beautifully stacked layers of sedimentary rocks, much like the Grand Canyon, just not as deep. Limestones, shales, and sandstones deposited 450 million to 300 million years ago during an era called the Paleozoic pressed … Continue reading