The Central Appalachians - by Mark Hendricks (Hardcover)

About the Book

These photograph-laden, episodic essays outline the ecological stories and preservation needs of the Central Appalachians.

Book Synopsis

Beautiful and wild, the Central Appalachians of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia are a hotspot for biodiversity. They also make up a large part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and are responsible for a majority of its freshwater flow to the Chesapeake Bay.

Award-winning author and nature photographer Mark Hendricks spent years documenting life on the mountain trails and underneath Appalachian waters and built camera traps to capture images of rarely seen species. Not only are these images beautiful and fascinating, but they bring more understanding of the environmental importance of the area. Between seasonal portfolios are various essays, featuring

- stories of an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker,
- a biologist dedicated to saving fungus-plagued bats in winter caves,
- an ecologist who protects one of the most rare ecosystems in the region,
- a close encounter with a bobcat, and
- various encounters with other rare and exciting species such as black bear, eastern hellbender and other rare salamanders, and sparring elk.

Well-known locations such as Shenandoah National Park are featured prominently, as are little-known areas such as the Finzel Swamp and the famous reintroduced elk herd of north-central Pennsylvania. It's a wild and wonderful journey for all nature lovers.

Review Quotes

Every image in the book and the accompanying essays are a feast for the eyes, a spark for the imagination, and an adventure for the heart of the reader. The book is carefully researched, the words are well crafted, and the images are imbued with Mark's knowledge and love of the central Appalachian Mountains. Reading this book will guide you through the beautiful wilds of these mountains and introduce you to some of the people and critters who work tirelessly behind the scenes. The hardback book is well bound, lays flat, and feels right at home in the hands. This is the next book you will want to read. It will reveal the next place you will want to go.
--John Canan, South Mountain Journal