Enchanted Rock: A Natural and Human History (Peter T. Flawn Series in Natural Resources)

With intriguing domes of pinkish granite surrounded by a sea of Hill Country limestone, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area attracts over 300,000 visitors every year who come to the park to hike, rock climb, spelunk, camp, picnic, and observe birds and wildflowers. Geologists from around the world come to Enchanted Rock to examine landforms that were shaped by forces on ancient continents of Earth more than one billion years ago! All of these visitors, however, are only the latest comers in a line of human history that stretches back 13,000 years to early Native Americans and includes Spanish explorers, Mexican and German settlers, and thirteen private and public owners up to the current owner, the state of Texas. Surprisingly, given the area's wealth of unusual geology, native plants and animals, and human history, no comprehensive guide to Enchanted Rock has been published before now. In Enchanted Rock, you'll find everything you need to fully appreciate this unique place. Lance Allred draws on the work of specialists in many fields to offer a popular account of the park's history, geology, weather, flora, and fauna. Whether you want to know more about how Enchanted Rock was formed, identify a wildflower or butterfly, or learn more about plant communities along the hiking trails, you'll find accurate information here, presented in an inviting style. Over a thousand color photographs illustrate the enjoyable text. Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 16 Part One......Page 20 History......Page 26 Part Two......Page 56 Geology......Page 58 Weathering and Erosion......Page 90 Weather......Page 112 Part Three......Page 140 Flora and Fauna......Page 142 PLANTS......Page 164 Trees, Shrubs, and Vines......Page 166 Flowers......Page 172 Cacti and Yuccas......Page 192 Ferns......Page 193 Grasses, Grasslike Plants, Sedges, and Rushes......Page 195 Berries, Seeds, Pods, and Fruit......Page 201 Other Plants......Page 209 Mammals......Page 214 Birds......Page 218 Reptiles, Amphibians, and Water Creatures......Page 223 BUGS (INCLUDING ARACHNIDS)......Page 228 Butterflies......Page 230 Moths......Page 237 Dragonflies and Damselflies......Page 243 Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets......Page 248 Bees, Wasps, Hornets, and Flies......Page 252 Other Insects......Page 258 Arachnids......Page 267 A. Historical Timeline......Page 272 B. Endemic and Unusual Plants......Page 274 C. Enchanted Rock SNA Landmarks and Trails......Page 278 References......Page 280 Illustration Sources......Page 286 Species Index......Page 290 Subject Index......Page 306 This book explores Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Central Texas, including the park's history, geology, weather, flora, and fauna