Great Smoky Mountains National Park Podcasts & Blog » Ann Froschauer

Smokies Bats Face New Threat

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:15:13 +0000

PHOTO BY ANN FROSCHAUER
Northern Long-Eared bat examined during a survey of bat populations in GSMNP.

PHOTO BY RYAN VON LINDEN
NEW YORK DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Little Brown bat from a New York cave exhibiting the telltale white fungus suggestive of white-nose syndrome.

Great Smoky Mountains Association and Great Smoky Mountains National Park have been working together to produce a video about a deadly threat facing bats in the Smokies.

Bats are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. However a newly discovered disease, white-nose syndrome, is devastating bat populations across the eastern United States, killing millions of bats and threatening extinction for several species of these beneficial creatures. The fungus that is suspected of causing the disease was found on bats hibernating in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in spring of 2010. Watch this short video to learn what the park is doing to help bats in the Smokies. And when you’re in the park, stop by Sugarlands Visitor Center to see the new bat exhibit and learn about these often misunderstood mammals.

Closed captioning is available for this video by clicking the caption button in the lower right-hand corner of the video controls.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK White Oak Sink Wildflower Hike

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:07:08 +0000

Here’s what Ann Froschauer saw when hiking near Cades Cove yesterday:

Check out the pretty phlox

Tulip tree silk moth (Callosamia angulifera)

Yellow lady slipper (Cypripedium calceolus or pubescens)

Columbine and phacelia (Aquilegia candensis)…

Shooting star (Dodecatheon mea…)

Wild blue phlox

Phlox divaricata

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Really Really Red

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:05:50 +0000

This is the reddest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

It’s a Black-Chinned Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber). This one was spotted crossing the road. They migrate this time of year after warm rains to mate. So be careful on park roads, especially at night because there are sometimes mass migrations of these fellows.

So now you have the answer to the age old question: Why do salamanders cross the road?

Photos and salamander info by Ann Froschauer.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK The Park Wakes Up From Winter

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:24:59 +0000

Ann Froschauer captured these wonderful images of the park as winter wanes.

This is Earthstar (Astraeus hygrometricus).

Wild grape vines.

Gee, Ann is so strong!

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Spooky Storm Clouds

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:40:45 +0000

We had a bit of a storm here a couple of days ago. We got horizontal rain and fierce winds. Here’s a photo by Ann Froschauer that gives a sense of the impending storm.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Tiny Tourist

admin — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:21:20 +0000

75th Anniversary Coordinator, Ann Froschauer (the indomitable), took these photos of her hike to Mt. Le Conte. Don’t you just love the brave little mouse and the keyhole view through a rhododendron tunnel to the mountains in the distance?

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Closer Look … Funny Bunny?

admin — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:25:09 +0000

Take a closer look at this bunny as he tours the azaleas on Gregory Bald. I’ve never seen a rabbit with this pattern on his fur before. Photo by Ann Froschauer.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Lovely Lunacy

admin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:06:13 +0000

This pretty creature is a luna moth, photographed by GSMA’s own Ann Froschauer!

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Azaleas on Gregory Bald

admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:16:19 +0000

Photo by Ann Froschauer.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Gregory Bald

admin — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:26:38 +0000

Here’s how it looks!

Photo by Ann Froschauer. Below is a photo of Ann with her Dad!