THE WAR ON MOTHER NATURE: Africa's Western Black Rhino Has Been Officially Declared Extinct - Africa's Northern White Rhino And Asia's Javan Rhino Are "Teetering On The Brink Of Extinction!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: yellow;">November 08, 2013 - AFRICA </span></b>- Africa's western black rhino is now officially extinct according the latest review of animals and plants by the world's largest conservation network. <br /><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph2"><br />The subspecies of the black rhino -- which is classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank">Red List of Threatened Species</a> -- was last seen in western Africa in 2006.<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--p4UxGpKiJs/UnzTvPZW61I/AAAAAAABNa0/7hkxw09Yvus/s1600/blackrhino01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--p4UxGpKiJs/UnzTvPZW61I/AAAAAAABNa0/7hkxw09Yvus/s1600/blackrhino01.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poaching and lack of conservation have made a subspecies of Africa's black rhino (pictured) extinct. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph3"><br />The IUCN warns that other rhinos could follow saying Africa's northern white rhino is "teetering on the brink of extinction" while Asia's Javan rhino is "making its last stand" due to continued poaching and lack of conservation.</div><br />"In the case of the western black rhino and the northern white rhino the situation could have had very different results if the suggested conservation measures had been implemented," Simon Stuart, chair of the IUCN species survival commission said in a statement.<br /><br /><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph6">"These measures must be strengthened now, specifically managing habitats in order to improve performance, preventing other rhinos from fading into extinction," Stuart added.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph7"><br />The <a href="http://www.iucn.org/" target="_blank">IUCN</a> points to conservation efforts which have paid off for the southern white rhino subspecies which have seen populations rise from less than 100 at the end of the 19th century to an estimated wild population of 20,000 today.<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xX3a2TZAqE/UnzT_8CQOQI/AAAAAAABNbE/xZEd9INw4C0/s1600/blackrhino02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xX3a2TZAqE/UnzT_8CQOQI/AAAAAAABNbE/xZEd9INw4C0/s1600/blackrhino02.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Africa's northern white rhino is "teetering on the brink of extinction" according to the lastest IUCN Red List</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Another success can be seen with the <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/7961/0" target="_blank">Przewalski's Horse</a> which was listed as "extinct in the wild" in 1996 but now, thanks to a captive breeding program, has an estimated population of 300.<br /><br /><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph10">The latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reviews more than 60,000 species, concluding that 25% of mammals on the list are at risk of extinction.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph11"><br />Many plants are also under threat, say the IUCN.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph12"><br />Populations of Chinese fir, a conifer which was once widespread throughout China and Vietnam, is being threatened by the expansion of intensive agriculture according to the IUCN.<br /><br /></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph13"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9UE7_a2n60/UnzUHvZ0UaI/AAAAAAABNbM/0V80cZC3XaU/s1600/blackrhino03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9UE7_a2n60/UnzUHvZ0UaI/AAAAAAABNbM/0V80cZC3XaU/s1600/blackrhino03.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 1996 the Przewalski's Horse was listed as "extinct in the wild." But thanks to a captive breeding <br />program its population has risen to around 300, say the IUCN.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Pcztqqky8/UnzUH-Ur40I/AAAAAAABNbQ/Qc30hzymSGY/s1600/blackrhino04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Pcztqqky8/UnzUH-Ur40I/AAAAAAABNbQ/Qc30hzymSGY/s1600/blackrhino04.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coco de Mer has been "uplisted" from vulnerable to endangered due to increased fires<br /> and illegal havesting f its kernels.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxAV2fY8TKc/UnzUH58E09I/AAAAAAABNbY/yvU0R_C0M30/s1600/blackrhino05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxAV2fY8TKc/UnzUH58E09I/AAAAAAABNbY/yvU0R_C0M30/s1600/blackrhino05.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summers' poison frog is a recently discovered amphibian which is classified as endangered. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOlk5uI_o_U/UnzUIb_LoPI/AAAAAAABNbg/v1TTdliQOPg/s1600/blackrhino06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOlk5uI_o_U/UnzUIb_LoPI/AAAAAAABNbg/v1TTdliQOPg/s1600/blackrhino06.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blessed poison frog is currently listed as vulnerable, say the IUCN.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />A type of yew tree (<a href="http://data.gbif.org/welcome.htm" target="_blank">taxus contorta</a>) found in Asia which is used to produce Taxol (a chemotherapy drug) has been reclassified from "vulnerable" to "endangered" on the IUCN Red List, as has the <a href="http://www.bgci.org/ourwork/coco_de_mer/" target="_blank">Coco de Mer</a> -- a palm tree found in the Seychelles islands -- which is at risk from fires and illegal harvesting of its kernels.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph14"><br />Recent studies of 79 tropical plants in the Indian Ocean archipelago revealed that more than three quarters of them were at risk of extinction.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph15"><br />In the oceans, the IUCN reports that five out of eight tuna species are now "threatened" or "near threatened," while 26 recently-discovered amphibians have been added to the Red List including the "blessed poison frog" (classified as vulnerable) while the "summers' poison frog" is endangered.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph16"><br />"This update offers both good and bad news on the status of many species around the world," Jane Smart, director of IUCN's global species program said in a statement.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph17"><br />"We have the knowledge that conservation works if executed in a timely manner, yet, without strong political will in combination with targeted efforts and resources, the wonders of nature and the services it provides can be lost forever." - <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/10/world/africa/rhino-extinct-species-report/index.html?sr=sharebar_facebook"><span style="color: orange;"><b>CNN</b></span></a>.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>

Africa Asia Endangered Species Extinction IUCN Javan Rhino Mother Nature Natural Habitats Nature Poaching Przewalski's Horse Threatened Species Western Black Rhino White Rhino Wildlife THE WAR ON MOTHER NATURE: Africa's Western Black Rhino Has Been Officially Declared Extinct - Africa's Northern White Rhino And Asia's Javan Rhino Are "Teetering On The Brink Of Extinction!

November 08, 2013 - AFRICA - Africa's western black rhino is now officially extinct according the latest review of animals and plants by the world's largest conservation network. The subspecies of the black rhino -- which is classified as "critica…

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Summer escape to Big Meadows

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cDA7bHM1v_HnYP56b7L-rPK9FF4si-IHLK8CrJVv84Ir3yCeHtyxgX04CT3HQI4SS5WwG4GwhV4OMDQvfV24sOjrXJu7RRbjOCq8CH_To53nZcjtbsFum3JpCUlCQjXZgUQsVAbtL5zD/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cDA7bHM1v_HnYP56b7L-rPK9FF4si-IHLK8CrJVv84Ir3yCeHtyxgX04CT3HQI4SS5WwG4GwhV4OMDQvfV24sOjrXJu7RRbjOCq8CH_To53nZcjtbsFum3JpCUlCQjXZgUQsVAbtL5zD/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen">Shenandoah National Park </a>... this black bear crossed the Skyline Drive in front of us on Friday, stopped to look, and then disappeared into the underbrush. I only had time to snap one quick blurry photo through the windshield. The speed limit is 35 ... the Park requests that drivers observe it because a record number of bear cubs, deer, and other wildlife have been killed by vehicles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-Vb4rnx7kgyHE0AxaSUkXYQX-vKOPdQguMixFjOldC7X1IVIEq2vPle5gDRJ-_QgW4jhTpmFWTGnYmSNtl1abTQRJ44gOLFYCRu_a3htE92wJucS9PVnsrJtQm3bOlYAudO_w7PABgDV/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-Vb4rnx7kgyHE0AxaSUkXYQX-vKOPdQguMixFjOldC7X1IVIEq2vPle5gDRJ-_QgW4jhTpmFWTGnYmSNtl1abTQRJ44gOLFYCRu_a3htE92wJucS9PVnsrJtQm3bOlYAudO_w7PABgDV/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had decided to take advantage of the cooler temps and low humidity from a cold front that passed through western Virginia. Our destination was Big Meadows picnic ground and the surrounding area. The "big meadow" is behind the sign. When I was a kid, temporary overflow parking was in the field for those who arrived late after the campground was full. Today it is burned periodically to keep it open as it has been for centuries.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMxDub40imTL0HgnfNiEATg132i9RAWiE7UdGpvGwPB6XAOYcyY9pNfk1apt0uoFFKecj_YpPJqFtH5Rs0J4QpGfFwAkeFaw5aS7z8SQawGH1p6Y-QScHxTHTaiWZQmkC_bASBGE4Nqxz/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMxDub40imTL0HgnfNiEATg132i9RAWiE7UdGpvGwPB6XAOYcyY9pNfk1apt0uoFFKecj_YpPJqFtH5Rs0J4QpGfFwAkeFaw5aS7z8SQawGH1p6Y-QScHxTHTaiWZQmkC_bASBGE4Nqxz/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Blue Ridge Mountains ... layers of historic scenery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33Y3HJfBNAlLqek82dSpGb8WRGqMszdp2wq-ZS6rX1N2VHVCzkGWvQbQJDAdPJ4MRk9bQ0XCa67drH28lUWiXcSZGvOwDyMbChJ3dhoN1mtPMAEeYywKW_jJXuNPwbPs57pPAW6Gam-uM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33Y3HJfBNAlLqek82dSpGb8WRGqMszdp2wq-ZS6rX1N2VHVCzkGWvQbQJDAdPJ4MRk9bQ0XCa67drH28lUWiXcSZGvOwDyMbChJ3dhoN1mtPMAEeYywKW_jJXuNPwbPs57pPAW6Gam-uM/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lF2DQ9s_iNZREidz55ivxWctMV9QeJbC04T7LnLLzMldv6GTJPUd382BvKY-anpb78iY47mvSH4BLYioY2SUibx8kV5fl0E-Onyibz21yBk-01I10z4YfhmusryN5AXf5essc3CaDpFL/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lF2DQ9s_iNZREidz55ivxWctMV9QeJbC04T7LnLLzMldv6GTJPUd382BvKY-anpb78iY47mvSH4BLYioY2SUibx8kV5fl0E-Onyibz21yBk-01I10z4YfhmusryN5AXf5essc3CaDpFL/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers were in abundance as were butterflies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwjUfV-BnLRCCTAUY8mv_SH_4cqnFRRmjMzXM3Wb_LJgtEr-_cvbl7Kl2AzbUuCRIMN-rmKoQH1gys_RwrfhgZNiN3xt21Q-5N7PvFXa6tOx5qBZuedPQ0B0muhvGP5OvqRPaaOaQcdRh/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwjUfV-BnLRCCTAUY8mv_SH_4cqnFRRmjMzXM3Wb_LJgtEr-_cvbl7Kl2AzbUuCRIMN-rmKoQH1gys_RwrfhgZNiN3xt21Q-5N7PvFXa6tOx5qBZuedPQ0B0muhvGP5OvqRPaaOaQcdRh/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The trail invites to explore the big meadow. On a July day with temps in the 60s and low humidity, it was perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqHsLEK7mNWdEfn8-26RyAjPUmN_yh2bmD0f9m4BUUBurgtFkyxP3SX7w-LJGAe-EqTTzKREpPTpA7cYMOdqFVezNMobPnD1dKlxwGAg-GOPRy2StWjM8xfnEGCJu0en0Kw9LLN0FAFe0/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqHsLEK7mNWdEfn8-26RyAjPUmN_yh2bmD0f9m4BUUBurgtFkyxP3SX7w-LJGAe-EqTTzKREpPTpA7cYMOdqFVezNMobPnD1dKlxwGAg-GOPRy2StWjM8xfnEGCJu0en0Kw9LLN0FAFe0/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://usparks.about.com/od/shenandoa1/qt/Dark-Hollow-Falls.htm">Dark Hollow Falls</a> was a favorite trail with my family while growing up when our destination was the falls and coolness deep in the forest on warm summer days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnssRtp6hbdR3QS_zSpGT7r_WcdvNLJY6gLISmaoCoSMhWxgGYiqyxBiQBjElLrlBJFmjKzkAMw4FNQElOvzkLSVEM5BmWu6XG8oqE1ST-VRKFJmTGX2geiV0JWx9-suOHue3ibA2QG2W/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnssRtp6hbdR3QS_zSpGT7r_WcdvNLJY6gLISmaoCoSMhWxgGYiqyxBiQBjElLrlBJFmjKzkAMw4FNQElOvzkLSVEM5BmWu6XG8oqE1ST-VRKFJmTGX2geiV0JWx9-suOHue3ibA2QG2W/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the Byrd Visitor Center, there's a great view of the big meadow. Follow the seasons from the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/common/commonspot/customcf/webcam/dsp_webcam_image.cfm?webCamURL=http://www.nps.gov/webcams-shen/bvc_800.jpg&refreshRate=60&title=7C9B93D2819B8E7B53C42E&width=800&height=450&altText=7C9B93D2819B8E7B53C42EC7BA1CBF7C479FE93BDBA8DEA19AEF3083AB03C97FDBE8D78E9689DB3CC99D030094DE9B948851B05D505CFF898652A7D0F947B5998906999393B88EC6929DCAA69697869517BE98BD9FDEE9AF9AA8A9A47082AE9D&description=7C9B93D2819B8E7B53C42EC7BA1CBF7C479FF57489EE83F0B1BD1D97F925905BD6BBE8938A928F10DED33400888A9289C756B65C5C15C281D375A089AD7CE19E9547D8C9AFB18388BD92DAA09891C7B7569A90A09A93A5D9A3BBBCA632CB99DA4119F670F0DFDA9085EF5607&256919">webcam at this location</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GSXuPjeFz-dnaRYJiLaHqh97mZp8pXmnYSjQ_M-hr9exFroWfNe5GmrjWPYHfDpSKBnWKPbcgswOBlqXkbNqbxA6NJfOAPGakk5J0bsW7PVY0ve-iA_yJRK-rgzD7jlwhQ8j1mLtiEAG/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GSXuPjeFz-dnaRYJiLaHqh97mZp8pXmnYSjQ_M-hr9exFroWfNe5GmrjWPYHfDpSKBnWKPbcgswOBlqXkbNqbxA6NJfOAPGakk5J0bsW7PVY0ve-iA_yJRK-rgzD7jlwhQ8j1mLtiEAG/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Busy butterflies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfnG-fqkQm36RWGGZpSSZeCpK8OFEzoi8AQj8CoiEZqYmXcrMXUshejVJTGlkv6AIwYE0haUKT4fc4GF7q8p6sYZ-PgDGSika6BFd6PIXWyf3zspdji-JbZD9aZz1IvfDxd2DSDssysaS/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfnG-fqkQm36RWGGZpSSZeCpK8OFEzoi8AQj8CoiEZqYmXcrMXUshejVJTGlkv6AIwYE0haUKT4fc4GF7q8p6sYZ-PgDGSika6BFd6PIXWyf3zspdji-JbZD9aZz1IvfDxd2DSDssysaS/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Water in a rock ... this intrigued me as a kid.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlwrjAG3o_0vgoGr_MQOvWi9InUrXq55itN_21eIeSJiJVWfT6xErmZJ63F5okWmQ30oAmyKZMbRhd4p3ft4wFgWZ18RwAhoK2qU3KJMfrZPx7WfPEzDD7XjnOAdPeGWP6wOJ5OSznZrK/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlwrjAG3o_0vgoGr_MQOvWi9InUrXq55itN_21eIeSJiJVWfT6xErmZJ63F5okWmQ30oAmyKZMbRhd4p3ft4wFgWZ18RwAhoK2qU3KJMfrZPx7WfPEzDD7XjnOAdPeGWP6wOJ5OSznZrK/s400/14.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alone on a trail in the quiet woods.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAoE1apWVo-bYqCw7hqxoQukBUuq5TW7kT4qhvxnYmzMp-Tui6fjVdOPo0ydeFfHGHIRbi2Xg8CaZbWzrZi7MbCUPP1dCpwQK4e1JjEk8XxLRJRK_M-dvSdClESEZ7KtiSW88NKVI5jJ4/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAoE1apWVo-bYqCw7hqxoQukBUuq5TW7kT4qhvxnYmzMp-Tui6fjVdOPo0ydeFfHGHIRbi2Xg8CaZbWzrZi7MbCUPP1dCpwQK4e1JjEk8XxLRJRK_M-dvSdClESEZ7KtiSW88NKVI5jJ4/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goshenandoah.com/Big-Meadows-Lodge.aspx">Big Meadows Lodge </a>where my parents honeymooned as young twenty-somethings. I never tire of its rustic wood-and-stone architecture, views from the terrace, walking its hallways, and thinking of my parents when they were just kids. My dad absolutely loved these mountains and passed along that love to me. They began taking me camping at Big Meadows when I was one, making many, many happy memories of spending time in Shenandoah National Park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFQGxGy1JgsJtA-zNP2KcVEOpB-nDv6iZERajHck70qTX6HdXhthGvQvQPx1zVVPMEiq0bpZnfPcHBDTLqjzutZ0UCf_TPCHaTZKvYQ9jER_HWJUZDnmafwoQ08tW6cmhgiY-OtZGGMTx/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFQGxGy1JgsJtA-zNP2KcVEOpB-nDv6iZERajHck70qTX6HdXhthGvQvQPx1zVVPMEiq0bpZnfPcHBDTLqjzutZ0UCf_TPCHaTZKvYQ9jER_HWJUZDnmafwoQ08tW6cmhgiY-OtZGGMTx/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sign says it all. The running joke was always that, as campers headed to the evening amphitheater program, the resident bears headed to the campground. How do you scare away a bear from the camp site? Bang on a pot with a big spoon. We never had any problems but definitely didn't take chances ... no food in tents, and coolers were kept safely in vehicles. Fun times!</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park<br />July 26, 2013

Big Meadows Blue Ridge Mountains Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Wildlife Summer escape to Big Meadows

Shenandoah National Park ... this black bear crossed the Skyline Drive in front of us on Friday, stopped to look, and then disappeared into the underbrush. I only had time to snap one quick blurry photo through the windshield. The speed limit is 35 .…

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