I have just purchased a Epson 44" Wide Format Printer. So, I am now able to print the photos posted on these pages and make them available for purchase. If you are interested in any of my photos please contact me at Mountain Nature 706-782-0838. The photo here is the first I have printed.

Spring

Personally, I am looking forward to spring.

Max Patch Mountain, Hot Springs, North Carolina

Max Patch

Max Patch is a "bald" mountain top with a 360 degree view that extends from North Carolina to Tennessee and from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Mount Mitchell and all around. It is maintained as a "bald" by the United States Forest Service. I am told there are Trillium growing here and putting on fruit now but, I did not see any this day. 

Blue Ridge Parkway Storm

Yesterday it stormed when we were on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then last night it rained and rained and rained. Today would be a great day to go see waterfalls in the tri-states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Hurricane Falls

Wildflowers

Many wildflowers are blooming along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here we have Coreopsis and Bee Balm are blooming.

June on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Black Mountain & Big Green Mountain

Part of Panthertown, I believe the Black Mountain is on the left and Big Green Mountain is on the right in back.

Panthertown, NC USA

Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers

Wild Bird Feeding Station

Just put up a new feeding station out the window of our guest bedroom. Goldfinches found it right away!

Triple Treat

 We were happy to have a triple treat last night when we found these three pretty birds all at one overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Waynesville, North Carolina.

It was the first Scarlet Tanager for Jean which made the sighting extra special.

The temperature was about 67 degrees, just right.

Summer Cosmos

I am enjoying the last of spring, thinking about summer.

End of Trillium Season

Yes, it is the end of the Trillium season in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Oh, you may find a few plants with perhaps a last seed pod this time of year. But, for the most part the Trilliums will be unseen until next winter, that is very late winter. Some start in February or in the extreme south even January.

So, for a while I will be focusing on the nature of traveling rather than Trillium wildflowers. Yes, I will blog about Trillium all year but, perhaps far less until next Trillium season.

One of our favorite places to travel is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I have selected one of the photos I shot in the Smokys this spring. In season, it is a great place to see Yellow Trilliums and wild orchids like the Yellow Lady Slippers. I will soon be visiting Greenbrier again as I always do for the enjoyment of any season. Perhaps I will find summer wildflower to blog about.

This is a cropped photo of a stream in Greenbrier. I often use Photoshop to process my photos. This one is right out of the camera without any processing except for the crop, frame, lettering and the drop shadows. It is rather unusual for me to publish photos without post processing to make them more like I saw when I was there. In this case, the lighting was great and so the colors came out very well without any other processing.

I am considering starting a blog on how to process your photos in Photoshop. For now, if you would like to learn how to make a drop shadow, go here:

http://www.dphotojournal.com/adding-border-drop-shadow/

Enjoy!

Oh, oh! Made a mistake. Here is the revised photo. Different location. I travel so much locally I got mixed up. I left the text above as it was. Still fits for Greenbrier even if the photo is Rabun.

We did find Catesbys Trillium at Angel Falls.

Dick's Creek Trillium

I have been having a lot of fun in the woods and have fallen short of my postings. Here we have what I think is a nice Catesbys Trillium we found on the trail at Dicks Creek near Sandy Ford in Rabun County, Georgia USA. I like the tall stalk of this plant.

Deep Gap Trillium

It was raining a bit when we left Mountain Nature & Wild Bird Supply in Clayton, Georgia, this afternoon. We drove on and talked of skipping our ride out to Deep Gap in the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina. At the last minute we came upon our road and lured by the wild skipped the trip on home and were on our way to Deep Gap.

More on this later.

Rabun Beach Campground Hike

Yesterday, from the Lake Rabun Beach Campground, Jean and I hiked to Angel Falls and on to Panther Falls. We have wanted to take this hike for some time. And now, it is trillium and wildflower season in Rabun County, Georgia, USA. At the beginning of the hike we found a blooming Catsby's Trillium. And, along the trail, we found many more trillium plants without flowers. Between Angel Falls and Panther Falls we came upon the Catsby's Trillium pictured here. That was it, there were not but a couple blooms along the trail. As we hiked the stream seemed to get dryer and dryer and it seemed we would find no water for a waterfalls. Fortunately, the rock formations of the falls spread the water evenly and made for a nice photo-op. This evening we had some large storms in the area. I expect these falls are roaring with water now. But, we were off on our next wildflower, trillium adventure by then. See more in my next post.

Chattooga River Trillium

This morning we went to the Chattooga River to find a waterfall. Not this rapid but, a another waterfall. Nearby we found Catesby Trillium.

Greenbriar - Yellow Trillium

Photo Tip #4. To blur the background of a photo use a large aperture and adjust your exposure speed as needed. 

We found Yellow Trillium all over the Greenbriar area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.

Cove Hardwoods Trail - Erect White Trillium

Photo Tip #3. If you miss the best light, let the sun shine thru!

Many photographers say the best light is at sunrise or sunset and I won't argue with that. The light can be amazing early and late. Still, may I suggest, there is always a good light if you can just find it. I know in the middle of a bright day the reflection off leaves or metal can be intense blotting out the color and leaving only brilliant light blinding shine. But, if you look thru your eyes that same time of day that is what you see. This is the time of day to watch for a passing cloud, find a shade tree or just use a piece of cardboard to make your own shade. Here I chose to just use the bright sunlight as a back light. Of course if it work for you, you can use an artificial light to make your own "best light"!

This White Erect Trillium was captured on the Cove Hardwoods Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the the Chimneys Picnic Area.

Sosebee Cove

Photo Tip #2. Regularly break the rules!

I believe this to be a "Stinking Benjamin" but, I didn't smell it to be sure.

Sosebee Cove Trail Wildflower Area

Photo Tip #1. When it too dark to photograph try a flash!

Sosebee Cove Trail Wildflower Area is on Hwy. 180 just about 6 miles east of Suches, Georgia. Great show of trillium and other wildflowers today.

Warwoman Dell Trillium Question

Just to show how difficult identification of different trilliums can be I am posting a question. Is this a Vasey's TrilliumTrillium vaseyi or a Purple Wakerobin? Vasey's is a nodding trillium that blooms below the tri-leaf of the trillium. The Purple Wakerobin (Trillium erectum?) blooms above these leaves. To make matters worse there is more than one species of Purple Wakerobin.

Little River Road

These wildflowers are called Fire Pink Silene virginica. While riding along Little River Road looking for trilliums when I saw them.  Whenever I see them I can't help taking a photo especially when they grow in such large bunches as these. So, I added them here. 

Not far from these we found more White Erect Trillium, Trillium Erectum growing on the cliff side of the Little River Road. 

Great Smoky Trillium Ride

Continuing on in the Smokys up and over New Found Gap you pass into Tennessee. We passed the trilliums blooming from the Chimneys Overlooks, past the trilliums blooming at the Chimneys Picnic Area and the Cove Hardwood Trail. Then as we drive down towards Sugarlands we see Yellow Trillium,  Trillium erectum blooming all along the roadside even in places you would not expect to see them grow like the shoulder of the road. To me it has been quite a surprise to see trilliums of all species growing in disturbed soils along old logging roads, trails and highways. It has been quite a surprise sure enough!

Kanati Trail GSMNP

One of the places to find Painted Trillium is at the beginning of the Kanati Fork Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This fact is fairly well know to people who visit the park looking for Trillium. I think a little lesser known is the fact that instead of the Kanati Fork Trail, just go across US 441 and on that side cross the small foot bridge and follow the small trail that leads to the left without crossing the main stream. Here look carefully for the small but, most beautiful Painted Trillium, Trillium undulatum. Be careful not to step on them or the many other trillium and wildflowers. At first they may be hard to see until you can recognize them in the wild.

To the left is a photo of a Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum. Trout Lilies grow at the beginning of the Kanati Fork Trail. While they are not a trillium I added them here because they often grow near trilliums. And, they are in abundance at this location. The name, Trout Lily is named after leaf of this plant because of it's resemblance to a trout.







Below Jean starts up the Kanati Fork Trail looking for the small Painted Trilliums and other wildflowers.

Trilliums of the Smokys

If you go to the Smokys this is a good time to pick up a free Smokys Guide "The Official Newspaper of Great Smoky Mountains National Park". Inside the current issue you will find maps and lots of information about the Smokys and the wildflowers found there. There is a page with discriptions of these trilliums and where they can be found. Many of these can be seen without even getting out of your car. Of course, it is a lot more fun to walk the wildflower trails seeking that special find.

Here is a list of trilliums shown on the special trillium page that includes where to find them and photos of the flowers. You can find many of these same wildflowers already on this blog. More to come as the season progresses.

Sweet White Trillium, Trillium simile
Wakerobin, Trillium erectum 
Catesby's Trillium, Trillium catesbaei
Sessile-flowered Maroon Trillium, Trillium cuneatum
Vasey's Trillium, Trillium vaseyi
Yellow Trillium, Trillium luteum
Large-flowered Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum
Painted Trillium, Trillium undulatum
Southern Nodding Trillium, Trillium ruglii

Smoky Mountains National Park Trilliums

After leaving Black Rock Mountain State Park I went home got Jean and we drove to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is about 1 hour from home and we go there often. This, however, is the peak of the wildflower season in the Smokys. Especially, the Trillium wildflowers.
First stop was near the Collins Creek Picnic Area. This is normally the firs place we see trillium in bloom each year. Not so this year. The first trillium we saw was on the Tennessee side of the park. Now, Collins Creek is loaded with Great White Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum. These are in the photo on the right. Notice the center parts are yellow.

Another white trillium grows here also. That is White Erect Trillium - White Wakerobin, Trillium erectum. These are generally a bit smaller and have a dark center. There is also a Purple Wakerobin aka Stinking Benjamin, Trillium erectum 


In all three of these trilliums notice that the flower stands well above the whirl of three leaves of the trillium. This helps in identification of the this wildflower. Of course in the case of the Stinking Benjamin, you could get down and smell the smell of rotting meat to make the identification. This smell attracts carrion seeking flies and insects that help pollinate the flowers.

To the left are White Erect Trillium, Trillium erectum found just before the entrance of the Collins Creek Picnic Area.

Black Rock Mountain - Again!

After hiking the Tennessee Rock Trail on Saturday afternoon I wanted to go back and shoot some trilliums blooming along the trail near the Eastern Continental Divide. So, I got up early and headed up Black Rock Mountain again.

Driving to the top of the mountain I hiked out to the monument shown here. Along the way I found Yellow and Maroon Trilliums growing side by side. Here is where Identification becomes difficult.

Found here are two (or who knows even more) very similar trilliums.

Purple Toadshade - Sweet Betsy, Trillium cuneatum


Sessile Toadshade, Trillium sessile 


Yellow Trillium, Trillium luteum

The hard part is figuring out which is which. It seems some Toadshade Trilliums may have maroon or yellow flowers. There are other differences we will have to learn about along the way!

Roaming

I spent today roaming Rabun County. Went to Black Rock Mountain and found some Sessile-flowered Trillium Trillium cuneatum along the road. These were blooming all along the Tennessee Rock Trail.

Then took a trip to the Tallulah Gorge Short Line Trail where I found several Catsbys Trillium just beginning to bloom. These you can find along the trail at the north parking area and here and there elsewhere along the Short Line Trail.

Nantahala River

Last Sunday we took a drive with one of our children and his family to the Nantahala River in Bryson City, North Calolina. From the Nanahala Outdoor Center along the Nantahala River to the Wayah Road there were white trillium all along the way. We didn't stop to take photos but, this is a good time to travel that route if you want to enjoy them.

Warwoman Dell Picnic Area

We zipped out to Warwoman today. There are lots of trillium but, no trillium flowers, yet. Maybe a week away or just a few days. Still, this is a really nice place to take a short walk.

Betty's Creek and Mulberry Road

Finally, I am feeling better and hopefully will be out with my camera again. I was this morning. We took Mulberry Road in North Carolina which runs into Betty's Creek Road in Georgia on the way to Mountain Nature this morning. Sure enough we found trilliums blooming in the United States Forest Service area, still in the NC portion of the road.

Great White Trillium,Trillium grandiflorum

Black Rock Mountain State Park - Georgia USA

Black Rock Mountain State Park is open again after being closed all winter. I found this trillium on the Spring House Trail.


Last year Rabun County had several tornados that took out trees all over as it crossed diagonally across the county southeast to northwest. Along the Spring House Trail several trees were blown over in the botanically sensitive wild flower section. There are signs asking people to stay on the trail. When removing the trees it seems someone did not heed the message. There are track hoe tracks right over some of the most sensitive trillium areas. Fortunately, the trillium did not seem to be hurt by this and are quite abundant in the same tracks put there by the hoe.

This trillium is a Little Sweet Betsy Trillium Tillium cuneatum.  It is a mottled trillium that has an erect stem and blooms just above the whirl of leaves.

Smoky Mountains - Again!

Last night we did it again. Left the Mountain Nature around 4pm. Things had slowed for the afternoon so we headed out to do a bit of wild flowering. We decided to go into the Smokys after seeing some of the blooms last week we knew the time was here. We couldn't pull ourselves to stop on the way over toward Sugarlands. Jean had heard there were Bleeding Hearts blooming on the Little River Road. We didn't find any but, we did find loads of Trillium just about everywhere, as well as, other wild flowers. More on this later.

Sweet White Trillium Trillium simile. Notice the broad white petals with a dark purple ovary and cream colored stamen define it from other white trilliums. These are found now along the Little River Road.

Smoky Mountains

I was feeling a bit better last night about quitting time and Jean wanted to go wildflowering - in the Smokys. I knew I wouldn't have to walk much to find wildflowers so, I agreed to go. I really didn't expect to see many trilliums blooming since we were there just last Sunday. We didn't see many blooms that day. I was wrong.

On the Tennessee side near the Chimney Tops Picnic area we found Great White Trillium blooming and a little farther down we found lots of Yellow Trillium. So, now is the time to go trillium hunting in the Smoky Mountains. By tomorrow you should be able to find trillium on the North Carolina side near the Kephart Trail, the Kanati Trail and maybe the Collin's Creek Picnic area.

Get out there! You may want to try the Cove Hardwood Trail (pictured here) next to the Chimney Tops Picnic area.

Persistent Trillium

Yesterday, much to my dismay, we hiked down the Tallulah Gorge. I was sick with the remnants of some winter cold? Don't know but, it just about did me in climbing out of the gorge.

On the flipside, that is the south side, pardon the pun, we found the Persistent Trillium blooming. Knowing I wasn't feeling well I didn't carry my camera with me. Still I knew we might find them and I also knew I had a photo from previous years and you will see it here.

The Persistent Trillium, Trillium persistens grows only within 4 miles of Tallulah Gorge, a Georgia favorite. 

And, you can go see them right now. You will find them about half way up the stairs on the south side of Tallulah Gorge.

US Hwy. 76, Mile Marker 24 in Rabun, County, Georgia, USA

It seems that this trillium doesn't mind growing on the roadside fill. There are lots of them here along the south side o US 76, Rabun County, Georgia, USA

Folks don't mind throwing their trash off the side here among the wild trilliums. Did they not learn anything in school!