We've had an amazingly mild winter here in the hills of East Tennessee. Some plants & animals are keyed more to hours of daylight than to temperature, but the warm weather seems to be awakening many things early.

One of our earliest blooms is a tiny member of the carrot family called "Harbinger of Spring." It's only about an inch high, and would be easy to overlook later in the season. But our winter-weary eyes are eager for spring signs these days!




Spring Beauty is another aptly-named early season bloom. Like many early spring blooms, spring beauty grows close to the ground, and easy to miss if you're not watching for it. It's also getting scarcer in many places, because feral wild hogs enjoy the taste of the starchy tubers. This is the Virginia Spring Beauty - our other species (Carolina Spring Beauty) should be blooming soon.






Hepatica is also blooming here and there, mostly on sunny, rocky cliffs. They have three-lobed leaves, which reminded early settlers of our three-lobed liver. Hence this plant was thought to be useful for liver disease!





Early spring is also great for "bugs!" Here's a tiny Mayfly, just emerged from its immature stage in a small stream. Most mayfly species emerge in late spring, but these Baetid mayflies are "early arrivers!" After two years in the stream, the adults only live a day or so. (You can tell his size because he was kind enough to perch on the back of my index finger).






Several species of AngleWing Butterflies spend the winter as adults. Here are several views of one of these anglewings, called a Question Mark - named for a mark on the underside of the wing (not visible in these photos). This little guy was out enjoying the almost-spring sun. He spent most of his time perching on the dry seed-heads of crownbeard, but frequently flew up high and fluttered - probably a way to attract a mate. Kept returning to the same perch, which made it easy for me to get close enough to photograph him...








Spring does not "officially" arrive for a few more weeks, but we sure are enjoying these spring-like winter days! It IS still winter though - these Hermit Thrushes are only here in the wintertime, and the Pied Billed Grebes are still in their winter plumage...






Sure hope you've enjoyed this little stroll across the beginnings of Spring's green across our East Tennessee landscapes, and that you will share your comments & critique.

[dadipentak]

Very nice, set! Spring is sure coming early here--I heard spring peepers on Thursday!

[canajuneh]

I REALLY enjoyed them - it has been cold and snowing all day here. It will be such a treat to start seeing signs of spring (other than lengthening days!).

[Bob Harris]

I always enjoy the great photographs and narrative that accompanies them. Hope those tornadoes stay away from your area.

[baro-nite]

Great set! It has indeed been a mild winter in the south -- I had my first glimpse of Hepatica and Spring Beauty on New Year's Day, in central NC. I'm not familiar with the Harbinger of Spring; I'll have to keep an eye out. Also, I'll have to brush up on the different species of Claytonia... Is that Rue Anemone in #5?

[slowpez]

That first spring beauty shot is stunning. The whole series is beautiful but you may keep the mayflies. I have never seen the Harbinger of Spring either. Obviously that is its common name but do you know its real name?

[paulh]

Beautiful photos. I've been to E. Tennessee a few times, but always in winter. Hopefully I can visit your part of the country again soon. TFS!

[stormtech]

Thanks for posting your tease of spring! It seems the older I get the more I hate winter and the more I look forward to spring.

Tennessee is only ~ 600 miles south of me, so with your photos I know that spring is on its way eventually.

I'm a big fan of barn and farm photos - could you share what lens you used on those two photos?

[stormtech]

Very nice, set! Spring is sure coming early here--I heard spring peepers on Thursday!

Peepers......did someone say they heard peepers...??

[dadipentak]

did someone say they heard peepers...??

Yup, I was amazed. I can't say I've paid close attention but it seems to me they're at least six weeks earlier than usual (probably more like 8 weeks) Crocus were 6 weeks early, too. Has anyone been successful in photographing peepers, btw?

[stormtech]

Yup, I was amazed. I can't say I've paid close attention but it seems to me they're at least six weeks earlier than usual (probably more like 8 weeks) Crocus were 6 weeks early, too. Has anyone been successful in photographing peepers, btw?

Heck, I don't even know what they look like - I'm assuming they are of the frog/toad variety. I do know that if I even step quietly out on to my back porch, they shut up immediately so I certainly can't go by their sound to track them down.

I get all excited with the talk of peepers as in my mind that is the definite passage of winter into spring. At my house, they are just deafening - just music to my ears!

Sorry to take your thread off topic mole.

[mole]

Thanks so much for all the kind words!

Dadipentak - We've had 'Peepers and also Chorus Frogs singing for weeks now...

Canajuneh - So glad to be able to brighten your (cold) day!

Bob - Thanks for your concern. Several tornadoes in our region, but none close to us. Kentucky and SW Virginia got hit very hard...

Baro-Nite - Indeed an early spring across our region! (although we are expecting a bit of snow in the mountains tonight). Here's a link to the 2 species of Claytonia in Tennessee: University of Tennessee :: Herbarium - TENN
PS - #5 is also Hepatica - just a very pale specimen.

Slowpez - so glad you enjoyed Spring Beauty #1 - it's a lovely (though tiny) flower. Harbinger of Spring is Erigenia bulbosa. Here's a link:
University of Tennessee :: Herbarium - TENN

Paul - East Tennessee is great at any season, but springtime especially nice. Let me know when you are coming, will be glad to suggest some good spots for exploring...

Stormtech - Glad the "tease" brought you some warmth! The last two photos were taken with my only two LTD lenses - little red shed with the DA 15, Silos with the DA 35.

PS - you asked about spring peepers, and other spring frogs.

Here's a Spring Peeper:


Here's an Upland Chorus Frog:


And here's a young Gray Tree Frog:

[8540tomg]

Great series Mole.

Flowers, amphibians and such still under the snow in my part of the world.

Tom G

[dadipentak]

Here's a Spring Peeper:

So that's what the little buggers look like--knowing what I'm looking for should help. Nice shooting in that series!

[baro-nite]

Here's a link to the 2 species of Claytonia in Tennessee: University of Tennessee :: Herbarium - TENN

Thank you! Hopefully I'll make it up to the mountains this spring and will look out for Claytonia Caroliniana.

Here's a link to the 2 species of Claytonia in Tennessee: University of Tennessee :: Herbarium - TENN
PS - #5 is also Hepatica - just a very pale specimen.

[Face palm]. I'd have known if I saw the leaves, honest!