Kentucky's Extinct Wild Parrot

When the area now known as Kentucky was covered in virgin forests and "fine cane land", it was home to large flocks of brilliantly colored parrots! Native peoples had many names for the birds but they came to be known as "Carolina Parakeet" as the first specimen for Western study was taken from Carolina. The name is a misnomer as the birds had an expansive range that covered much of the South and...

Natural Arch Scenic Area

The conspicuously named Natural Arch is not the most famous in the state. That distinction would likely go to Natural Bridge (which isn't actually a bridge since it doesn't cross over water). Semantics aside, the impressive sandstone arch is ~100 feet (30.5m) and stands out distinctly from the forest around it. It often reminds me of a great eye of the forest. The arch is easily reached from...

Searching for Lost Arches Along Rockbridge Fork Creek

Winter in Kentucky is always full of surprises. Temps topped the mid-50s, with threats of rain as we headed into Daniel Boone National Forest for a day of hunting off-trail arches. We did a roll call to make sure everyone had rain ponchos, then dove into the tree cover. Dale had optimistic plans to find five natural arches. Some were considered forest "folklore"; their locations only handwritten estimates...