Soldiers Delight Journal: Exploring a Globally Rare Ecosystem

[Tom]

This book is a series of journal entries about the author's hikes thru the Soldier's Delight Natural Area Park in the Owings Mills (Deer Park Rd.) area of Baltimore County. I had picked this up several years ago but hadn't read it. After the ORNC Trail Guide Outing there in September I thought it was time. Plus I'm now retired and have more time.

Wennerstrom walked in the park several time a week through out the year the book covers. About half way thru I became a little disenchanted with the book as it seemed more of a species list seen on the hikes along the parks various trails and at the nearby Liberty reservoir. That didn't bother me until I got to the mid point of the book but I found it missing the little antidotes and histories that tie species to this rare and unique environment.

It did encourage me to visit the park again in different seasons and explore the habitats (which haven't done yet) but it didn't give the linked facts, antidotes, and framework that I like to really understand what I am reading about and why it exists. It is nice to read about an area you can actually visit with a short drive. In addition to the natural history of the area some of the human history is also covered. Wennerstrom obviously knows and loves the park but I can't give it an unqualified recommendation as something you should read unless you develop an interest in this environment and want to get to know it better.

This book is avail from BCPL.