
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 30, 1994                   TAG: 9411300064
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VIEWERS' GUIDE

"HIKE THE green-blazed Turtle Island Trail or the red-blazed Chestnut Ridge Trail for panoramic water views. Songbird viewing is excellent throughout the park. Near the forest edges in the morning near the campground, look for bobwhite and wild turkey. ... Spring wildflowers, such as bluets and sweet white violets, are impressive and abundant."

If everything you know about viewing wildlife you've learned from TV specials, has Falcon Press got the book for you - assuming you might enjoy the spectacular sights of nature au naturel, complete with the sounds, the smells and the feel of the earth under your feet.

The new "Virginia Wildlife Viewing Guide," 18th in a state-by-state series, features 80 spots in Virginia for viewing, and it tells you exactly how to get there and when to go to see particular animals or plants. The book is organized by region, starting each of six sections with a map dotted with numbers indicating sites of interest. Following that are descriptions, viewing information and directions for getting to each site.

Our region could use more such aids in its pitiful efforts, so far, to promote its rich ecotourism potential. The trails featuring panoramic water views can be found under the Smith Mountain Lake State Park entry, in the state's Central Region. There are plenty of others in the Central, Shenandoah and Southwestern Highlands regions within an easy drive for local residents, ranging from the familiar (Explore Park) right in their back yard to paths less traveled.

Such as those at Fenwick Mines near New Castle: "White-tailed deer, gray squirrel, Carolina chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, eastern bluebird, pileated woodpecker, rufous-sided towhee and wild turkey are present year-round. ... '' The symbols with that entry indicate parking, hiking trails, rest rooms and a picnic area are available, and that it's handicapped accessible.

Which is another convenience: The guide lists amenities and clearly warns if a place is, well, wilder than many have come to expect, outside of New York subways. "NATURAL AREA WITH NO FACILITIES. PUBLIC HUNTING AREA: PLEASE CHECK WITH MANAGER FOR AFFECTED AREAS" is noted where appropriate. Good to know before you get there.

by CNB