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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Hiking in the Rain

Here are some lovely photos of flora and fauna in the park taken during the rain this weekend by Ann Froschauer.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum commutatum)

Great Blue Heron (Area herodias)

Large Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Greater Yellow Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium pubescens)

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
White Oak Sink Wildflower Hike

Here’s what Ann Froschauer saw when hiking near Cades Cove yesterday:
Check out the pretty phlox
Tulip tree silk moth (Callosamia angulifera)
Yellow lady slipper (Cypripedium calceolus or pubescens)
Columbine and phacelia (Aquilegia candensis)…
Shooting star (Dodecatheon mea…)
Wild blue phlox
Phlox divaricata
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Hiking to Albright Grove

 

Take a quick jaunt with Mari to the beautiful and lush Albright Grove. Click here or on the photo to see some beautiful old growth trees and to have a relaxing moment in the Smokies.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
It’s Dogwood Season!

 

Spring is here and the Flowering Dogwood trees are in full bloom! Click here or on the photo to see to see “America’s best-loved flowering tree” up close and personal.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Elk Corps Volunteers Sought

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Volunteers-in-Parks program is currently enlisting volunteers to assist with the experimental elk reintroduction project in Cataloochee Valley, N.C.
The “Elk Bugle Corps” program was created in 2007 to assist rangers with providing visitor information on responsible elk viewing practices and elk behavior and to help with parking and traffic [...]

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Really Really Red

This is the reddest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

It’s a Black-Chinned Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber). This one was spotted crossing the road. They migrate this time of year after warm rains to mate. So be careful on park roads, especially at night because there are sometimes mass migrations [...]

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Cultural Heritage Site

GSMA store manager Marti Smith discovered one of the rarely discussed cultural heritage sites inside the park while hiking with the indomitable Smoky Mountains Hiking Club in the Greenbrier area a few days ago.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Early April Snow

 

Winter made a brief return this week in the Smokies. Click here to see the early spring snowfall that surprised us on April 7.