The Most Dangerous Animal in the U.S.

MUIR WOODS--Went on a great hike here among the old-growth redwoods, led by Tom Martell of "Tom's Tours." We even had a close encounter with the most dangerous animal in the U.S. (See my earlier post, "Crikey!") I took several pictures, which I may be able to add in here. Not only that, but it was a young male in the mating season. Tom explained that when these animals are in rut, the male will scrape a hole in the ground and urinate, as a scent marking for the female. Well, this wreaks havoc with other animals' territories, so soon you see animal feces and urine all over the place. Things only go back to normal at the end of the mating season. "Men," one of my fellow hikers murmured. "Always messing things up." What do you think? I could use some comments on my blog...

What's the biggest danger to the redwoods themselves? These trees can withstand moisture, and a goodly supply of tannin give them that beautiful color and render them relatively impervious to fungus and insects. Tom explained how their lack of a deep taproot and top-heavy outstretched branches help them survive the famous earthquakes of the region. But these same qualities that help the trees last to a healthy old age make their long-lasting lightweight lumber extremely valuable. I once toured a lumbermill near Eureka, California. The mill displayed a cross-section of a tree over 2000 years old. It had survived the time of Christ and all the wars, storms, and climate cycles since then, but it hadn't survived my generation.

We have met the most dangerous animal in the U.S., and he is Us. Still, like any dangerous animal, we can act docile given the right habitat and enough food and water. Our home is Mother Earth, and we have been given plenty of trees to regulate the water cycle. It would be our own fault if we lose sight of the value of the forest for the dollar signs in the lumber of ancient trees.