 |
Morgan County has a variety of ecological niches to explore and understand. Geologically, the northeast trending mountain ridges and broad valleys are cut by two rivers—the Cacapon and Potomac—and a number of streams including Sleepy Creek. Much of the terrain is forested in both pine and hardwoods. The rocks are sedimentary, mostly sandstone, exposed after eons of erosion and weathering and filled with fossils. The Tuscarora sandstone of Cacapon State Park is often covered with lichens. Cacapon Rocks have been notable to visitors since the 18th century and are rare vertical layered slabs. The famous warm mineral springs flow from the sandstone Warm Springs Ridge in Berkeley Springs State Park. Thanks to limited light pollution, the night sky is filled with stars and the county is filled with amateur astronomers, Star Parties and a world class observatory.
Critters calling the county home range from herds of whitetail deer and flocks of wild turkeys to foxes, raccoons, possums, ruffled grouse, beaver and turtles including snapping and box. Hawks often swoop through the clear blue skies and owls compete with tree frogs in a nightly chorus. The occasional black bear, rattlesnake or bobcat stir up lots of interest. There are no zoos and most of these animals can be seen as you drive along county roads or in the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area.
[ Ferns :: Wildflowers :: Birds :: Trees :: Shrubs ]
