There is a virgin spruce forest in Randolph County, West Virginia, which I have baptized “The Magical Forest.”
It’s almost difficult to believe the fortunate coincidence that left a piece of forest untouched for centuries. But this is what the sign said:
I am wondering whether this “error” was truly an error of omission or whether somebody a hundred years ago decided to “forget” about this patch of land to allow these spruce trees to continue to stretch towards heaven.
The pictures in this post were taken during two separate visits, one in early November (with more green and autumn colors) and a second one in late December 2013 (including snow and icicles).
I was particularly drawn to the many tree trunks, limbs, and rocks covered with soft, saturated, rich green moss.
And a fallen giant of a tree covered with an emerald crown of moss:
Because the forest has been left untouched as a living experiment, fallen trees have not been removed. Giant rootballs, blackened by age, become part of the landscape for many decades:
In the right light, this one could appear as a threatening monster:
And the holes and openings between the entangled roots form perfect frames and vantage points:
Baby trees take a foot hold anywhere they can and begin to form their own generation. Maybe we’ll call them the Millenial Spruce Generation?
Here is a more detailed look at some spruce branches with their tightly clustered, short needles:
In late fall, green ferns, mushrooms, lichens and colorful leaves enlivened the forest:
In winter, icicles and ice crystals served as decorations:
The never-ending dance of life was beautifully expressed here: from the baby trees to the tallest straight-as-an-arrow spruce great-grandfathers to the fallen giants slowly melting back into the soil that feeds all the living things in this magical forest. I, too, felt nourished by the forest and promised to come back, again and again.
Photos make it all so magical. I wonder what spring would look like, new trees, flowers, birds etc.
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I am planning to go back for the different seasons, to experience and capture the different moods.
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Beautiful fotos! What a slice of heaven …
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That’s what the West Virginians say about their state: “Almost Heaven.”
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Cool shots!
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Thank you, Cee, for stopping by.
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Beautiful!!!!
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Reblogged this on Yarn Around My World and commented:
Our forests are so important and here is a beautiful post about virgin forests.
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Thank you so much, Glenda, for reblogging this post!
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Enchanted! Lovely photos and post!
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I would so love to see this place Annette. I get similar feelings of belonging and self- eradication when inside caves. Every good wish for you and yours for 2014. Will write more when settled back in my own space . Your pix are brilliant. Lolla
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Thank you, Lolla. Yes, there are all kinds of different places left in the world that inspire awe. I know you have seen your share of them….:-) Happy New Year to you!
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It is the plants that transcend our own time horizon that help us understand our very small place in the universe.
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So true, Charlie. Plants have been around 400 million years and they definitely have an intelligence beyond our own.
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Baptizing a forest, I love that, it has some magic within.
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Thanks, Cornelia – something with so much magic needs a name ๐
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It is indeed magical, beautiful photos, amazing place.
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I am always so delighted when I find places like these, Robyn. They lift the spirit and bring new energy.
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So true, I found a little canine escapee doing the traffic dance today. Luckily she had a tag with the owners number. The cool thing was that she knew exactly where to go home and was quite happy to do so, just so long as I followed her… Speaking of lifting the spirit and bringing new energy. I have no doubt I will be seeing her often whether the owner likes that idea or not.
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A new friend for the New Year? Or maybe you need to get one of your own? ๐
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Yes a new friend, it’s becoming a habit – the animals following me around, even birds, my friend who I have coffee in the park with on weekends finds it altogether amazing. I live on a main road hence why I took her home, it would not be wise to try and keep a pet here.
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I am just reading the public blogger awards. Looks like you got it – still wading thru all the different links. If so, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You totally deserve it.
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It was a tie. I won non-fiction, Ryan won fiction.
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Same difference – you are the non-fiction Queen of the blogosphere!
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These photos are breathtakingly beautiful. Made me wish we could stroll under those trees together.
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Thank you, Laura. It made me think of the redwood forests in Calif. Can’t wait to see those again. Those trees are in a class of their own.
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What a beautiful forest, Annette. I love the mosses and the fungi and the tall, tall trees, sweeping the sky. And the icicles are a nice touch too. I’m glad you captured it at different times of year so we can see the transformation. ๐
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I love that place and will be back, definitely in the spring.
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It will be great to experience it again at all times of year! Will look forward to it! ๐
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Happy New Year Annette!
I’ve enjoyed getting to know you–though our friendship is virtual. From your photography to your comments on my blog, your warm nature and good attitude is apparent. I look forward to more of your visionary pictures and words.
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Kristin – what lovely words, thank you. I feel we are kindred spirits in the way we look at life. Too bad we live on opposite sides of the continent. I too have enjoyed ‘meeting’ you and sharing part of your world. May the new year smile radiantly on you and your family.
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Magical indeed! I love the way you captured the different shades of green and the DOP in your photos. Thank you for sharing them with us ๐ And thank you for your encouragements!
/Maria
http://discoveringranchlife.com
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Thank you, Maria. It was a real pleasure to share this beautiful place with readers like you who would appreciate it.
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๐
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Beautifully presented Annette! Love the ancient forests, so rich and still. Have a wonderful new year!
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Thanks for stopping by, Tina. Happy New Year to you and yours!
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Magnificent! What a beautiful tribute to the virgin “error”. I love the contrast between the summer and winter photos. I’d “like” this post, but for some reason my “like” button won’t load, so I’ll just say, I LOVE this post.
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This happened to me recently – I couldn’t see any of the ‘likes’ for a while. Don’t know what’s going on there. Thank you for your LOVE vote!
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Magical Forest. I like that! We have a section of forest in town that I like to visit that feels magical. Though it isn’t untouched, it has never been settled by whites though it is possible native Americans had lived here given the abundant resources in the forest and the river that runs through it has an Abenaki name. The little bog areas between the glacial eskers always make me think of The Hobbit. ๐ Thanks for a beautiful post!
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Forests have their own character, it seems. Their own mood, colors, energies… glad you have a magical forest to visit, too.
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When I enter Dreamland and become a Sprite I now know where I’m going to travel next. WOWzer ๐
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Did I forget there was a sign: “Sprites welcome?” ๐
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For real? I sense some an out of body experience comin’ up, lol!
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I’m pulling your leg, Charly, forgive me….but it is the kind of forest where you wonna build some fairy houses…
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Such beautiful and peaceful images, Annette. ๐
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This is indeed a magickal forest. I can imagine the pixies and fae playing happily here.
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I agree with you, Tree Girl!
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Aren’t these just wonderful spaces. MM ๐
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What a wonderful post, and I’m not sure why I missed it….so many peoples posts seem to be absent from my reader…
You seem to see the forest and the woods in such a similar way to me, the whole overarching cycles of growth and decay. What a wonderful accidental gift that these woods were spared logging….we lost so much of the ancient Caledonian Forest in Scotland the same way.
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I thought you might enjoy this one, Seonaid. When I saw your Oak Kings & Dragons today, I saw the similarities – but that isn’t the first time. Remember our twin waterfall posts?
There is so little old growth forest left anywhere, it is a treasure to come across them. I am hoping to re-visit the redwood forest in Calif. this year; there are the true long-lived giants!
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