Now here is a Smoky Mountains wildflower with a dramatic name! One-flowered Cancer Root (Orobanche uniflora) is one of the root parasites. The tiny pale-white or lavender blooms sit atop hairy leafless stalks. They come up in clusters in rich, damp woods and stream...
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, one-way loop and a wonderful opportunity for Smoky Mountains photos. Start from stoplight number 8 in Gatlinburg, proceed up the hill and enter the Smokies at the Cherokee Orchard entrance. The six-mile route will take...
It's Spiritual Sunday again, with a couple of Smoky Mountains photos to talk about how there is always something new. Earlier this week I took three hikers up to Newfound Gap early in the morning to start their Appalachian Trail adventure. It was wet and misty, and we...
Roaring Fork Sunrise is a featured photo at the William Britten Gallery. It is offered in all sizes up to 20x30. Details of sizes and prices can be found on the How to Buy page. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store This...
If you follow this blog, you know that I enjoy volunteering to help shuttle Appalachian Trail hikers between Gatlinburg and the Trail. I love to get up early, pick up the hikers at their hotel, and head up the mountain. Everyone has a story, and they are all happy to...
It's another Spiritual Sunday. Today we are in the Deep Woods. Something about being among Big Trees speaks to a person's soul. If you've ever stood in a grove of California Redwoods, you know the feeling. They've lived for so long, and withstood so many of nature's...
Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) is one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom in the Smoky Mountains. All of the photos on this page were found near the top of the Chestnut Top Trail, starting to bloom in mid-March. The blossom tends from white to pale pink. There are...
Last week we had a Spiritual Sunday with dramatic light out in Cades Cove. This week's Spiritual Sunday features the dramatic conditions that came with an early spring cold-snap and snow in the high elevations. There were wonderful opportunities for Smoky Mountains...
The trail to Abrams Falls is one of the most popular Smoky Mountains hikes. Get to the parking area at the western edge of Cades Cove early, and enjoy this easy-going hike before the crowds arrive! Abrams Creek and the waterfall are named after Chief Abram, leader of...