Hiking, Bird Watching & Morrel Hunting in Soutwest Virginia

Well, I went to the Cabin this weekend for some hiking, bird watching and Morrel hunting.

First thing I did Friday has unloaded a very heavy disc. On Saturday, I had two hikes. First with Bax early in the morning and then around lunch with Dad looking for Morrels...we found a couple. I then sawed some wood had a nice fire.

However,  there was some bad news I saw a lot of birds including some new ones like Eastern Phoebe Chipping Sparrow, but no Chuck. The only bit of good news was I saw no Purple Finches, so maybe he still out there. You are in Wood Booger's thoughts Chuck, my old friend!

AT Day Blog On Hike From Hughes Gap To Clyde Smith Shelter

Today I had a between a 6.4 to 6.8 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail from Hughes Gap to Clyde Smith Shelter with a lunch view from Little Rock Knob. More about this hike, coming soon...

Wildlife: Birds Of The Second-Half Of March

March is over, so it is time for part two of the Birds of March. The first half is here and featured plenty of birds from all over...and Chuck. On my last visit to the Cabin I, unfortunately, didn't see my buddy Chuck, so his fate is unknown. Hopefully, he returns, but if he doesn't the top photo is in his honor.

Eastern Towhee

White-breasted Nuthatch

Robin

Titmouse

Northern Cardinal (M)

Chickadee

Purple Finch (F)

Purple Finch (not Chuck)

Wildflowers of March 2019

Spring means wildflowers, and it was a good first month of the season...March. So, let us look back on some of the best wildflowers for the month of March. I found flowers in areas from Southwest Virginia to Upper East Tennessee and the Cumberland Trail near Kentucky. Overall a very good month indeed.

Daffodil

Corn Speedwell

Plum Tree

Mountain Bluet

Twin Leaf

Pink Rue Anemone

Group of Rue Anemone

Spring Beauty #1

Spring Beauty #2

Round-Lobed Hepatica

Periwinkle

Virginia Bluebell

Dandelion

Common Purple Violet

Bloodroot

Star Chickweed

Wild Geranium

Trailing Arbutus

Waterfalls & Wildflowers Highlight Day Hike At Margarette Falls

When I want a short, but rewarding hike there is no better one than Margarette Falls near Camp Creek in Greene County.

I don't know how many times I have done this hike (I think seven, maybe eight), but I have done it in every season and is a great outing every time. Today the weather was perfect, started off cool and warmed up. The water flow on the all the cascades including Midpoint, the Chute, Split Rock and at Margaretta Falls was great because I guess from the snow melt up top. 

There were also plenty of wildflowers, including Rue Anemones, Spring Beauties, a number of different violets, Star Chickweed and Blood Root. It was a great April day on the trail.