Exhausted tonight, the good kind. Spent the day on the mountain, taking photos of plants. I saw things I didn’t know happened in nature. Acres of medicines… Both Blue and Black Cohosh, Soloman’s Seal and dozens more. Even went to a couple secret spots full of ginseng, it hasn’t leafed out yet.
That was the problem all day, I was there too early. Spring is late this year, still cold on the mountain. First pic, I could see the spring line on the mountain side, below the forest floor was covered with green, above the line… nothing but brown. Didn’t see a single morel mushroom either, bummer. I was hoping to bring home a bag of it. I did see a couple dozen species I’ve never seen before like Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica), tastes like lemons.
The biggest disappointment was no Ramps! We were in a 4-wheel drive truck, when the truck couldn’t go further we walked just over a mile. A raging creek stopped us, we couldn’t get across to the ramps! This is the same creek further down mountain… Pics 2&3 Black Creek, Noccalula Falls.
Anyway, had a wonderful day, to tired to think tonight.
Spring line on the mountain..
View attachment 83076
Noccalula Falls... Black Creek, a raging torrent today after 4 inches of rain.
View attachment 83077View attachment 83078