Was back up at Holston Mt recently, checking on some rare plants and also on trail conditions. Enjoyed a fine little 7 or 8 mile loop that included climbing up (very steep) Flint Mill Trail and climbing down (almost as steep) Josiah Trail.
Not a lot of time for photography on this trip, but we had to stop and enjoy the early morning light and low clouds from Flint Rock.
We've had an unusually wet summer here in East Tennessee (something like 15 or 16 inches ahead on rainfall for the year already!), which makes for excellent mushroom conditions. Here are just a few of the amazing diversity of mushrooms - mostly along the Josiah Trail.
Wet conditions are also great for many amphibians. This fat old American Toad almost became a snack - one of my dogs dug it out from under a log while I wasn't watching! Fortunately (both for toad and for dog) the toad was rescued unharmed, and even consented to a few poses.
We noticed one large salamander that appeared to have an eye infection. These amphibians are so sensitive to changes in environmental conditions - hoping this is not a sign of some environmental problems in the area...
We finally found some good views of the caterpillar of my favorite butterflies. We often see Pipevine Swallowtail adults up in the mountains, but usually miss the larvae. This very cooperative Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar was resting on a Dutchman's Pipevine stem. Perhaps the bizarre color and pattern are a warning that, like its food plant the pipevine, these caterpillar taste terrible.
Also noticed some berries with an unusual name. Can you see why they are called "Doll's Eyes?"
Plenty of small creeks along the trail, lush with late-summer green...
Many folks call these blooms "Farewell to Summer," because Ironweed begins blooming as summer fades. This rather faded Tiger Swallowtail was enjoying the Ironweed nectar.
And here are three more almost-autumn blooms, Great Lobelia, Brown Eye Susan, and Passionflower (our Tennessee state wildflower).
Will close with two last insect shots. We've seen a recent emergence of LOTS of one species of butterfly. Northern Pearly Eyes are scarce here some years, very common other years. This must be a good year for them. They never seem to visit flowers, but do enjoy a variety of animal droppings. This crowd was working on some Coyote droppings...
And finally, here's a Dragonhunter - one of our largest and most powerful dragonflies. You can guess from the name that they eat other dragonflies! They also eat large butterflies. This one was sunning on a wet rock, but also watching the passing smaller dragonflies very carefully.
Hope you enjoyed the hike, and that you'll share your comments & critique!
(I'm over here in Knoxville.)
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