Quote:
Originally Posted by Allen Repashy
I think if you take a hike and get more than a mile or so from any road or well beaten path, that you will find they are for the most part, still there in their glory. Most plants are taken from places you can drive to or at least see from a road..... poachers are lazy for the most part... but so are most people that want to only see plants.... I encourage people to get off the trail (bring a compass and water of course) and do some exploring. There are still plenty of wonderful places to see.
|
Allen - Agree. There was a "law" that Bob Stebbins proclaimed for herpers many years ago after spending days and hours in the desert collecting herp specimens with his long time friend Nathan Cohen. Whilst he was out and about and not finding anything, he comes back each time to the car, where Nate has not left more than 100 yards in either direction and has a slew of specimens in his bags and jars. So Bob defined Cohen's law as the farther you get away from the vehicle, the less you find. The cactus law must be the opposite. The nearer you are to your car, the less you will see.
Fieldwork with Bob was always a blast and everytime we would venture farther and farther from the car, I would remind him of Cohen's law. We would still press on. I learned a lot from the "Dean of Western Herpetology".
For those interested in the Anza Borrego - there was a newer publication released on the Fossil Treasures of Anza Borrego that would be a real eye opener for most. The times have changed and this is a new desert for all intents and purposes. Great reading on the area, plus the benefits of explaining some of the soils and morphological features.