There is much more to New York state than just the Big Apple. Indeed flying over the state there are vast areas of secondary forest as far as the eye can see.
- Adirondacks The Adirondacks park consists of over nine thousand square miles of mountains, lakes [Tupper Lake right] and wilderness. Even in the height of summer it is not overcrowded unlike the Catskills which are nearer New York city. There are a wide variety of habitats from high mountains (to 1629m) through coniferous and deciduous native forest to the many lakes and rivers. more pictures.
- Ithaca and Cornell A mixed area with much secondary forest, farming, finger lakes and many waterfalls [waterfall in Taughannock State Park right]. It is rumoured that Cornell has the wettest campus in the USA. However the summer rain certainly helps to bring on a very good flush of fungi in the surrounding woodland and feeds two torrents running in gorges through the campus. A little way out of town is the Cornell bird observatory with its good tracks and walkways through Sapsucker woods and wetland, of course there is also a fine collection of mosquitoes! more pictures.
- Niagara falls [below] Massively touristy but still worth a visit.
- Tionesta (in the Allegheny National Forest). A tiny fragment of the old growth forest which covered much of the USA before loggers arrived. Very large trees and tranquil streams. However there is periodic disturbance to even this area as it is in a tornado zone and the narrow tracks of destruction can be seen looking out over the forest. more pictures.
References
Birds of North America (1987) National Geographic Society. Washington. 464p.
Reptiles and amphibians, eastern/central North America (1991) Conant, R., & Collins J. T. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 450p. (Peterson field guide).
Mushrooms of North America (1991) Roger Phillips. Little, Brown and Company. 319p. Over 1000 colour photographs.
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