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Botanical Bliss 2008

I was hoping for a bloom report of our area and found there was none last year. I decided to do it myself. Welcome to Botanical Bliss--The Bloom Report 2008. This is the second bloom season I've posted this report. I will keep the photojournal and bloom report updated. Get out there and enjoy the great outdoors and see what's blooming! The report focuses on the Great Smoky Mountains, Blount Co, TN, and the surrounding area.
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  • Happy to welcome all wildflower and outdoor enthusiasts back to the 1st edition this season of Botanical Bliss--The Bloom Report. The 2008 Spring wildflower bloom season has begun at last. Yesterday I continued working on my 900 Miler by completing Chestnut Top Trail from beginning to end. It is 4.3 miles long and a very pretty, easy trail. The best wildflower bloom is in the first 1/2 mile of it starting at the Townsend Wye for anyone who is short on time. http://tinyurl.com/2lrzu8

    Happy to welcome all wildflower and outdoor enthusiasts back to the 1st edition this season of Botanical Bliss--The Bloom Report. The 2008 Spring wildflower bloom season has begun at last. Yesterday I continued working on my 900 Miler by completing Chestnut Top Trail from beginning to end. It is 4.3 miles long and a very pretty, easy trail. The best wildflower bloom is in the first 1/2 mile of it starting at the Townsend Wye for anyone who is short on time. http://tinyurl.com/2lrzu8

  • Cutleaf Toothwort blooming along Schoolhouse Gap Road Dentaria laciniata Brassicaceae Blount Co. TN 2008 Click here for directions to Chestnut Top Trail http://tinyurl.com/2lrzu8

    Cutleaf Toothwort blooming along Schoolhouse Gap Road Dentaria laciniata Brassicaceae Blount Co. TN 2008 Click here for directions to Chestnut Top Trail http://tinyurl.com/2lrzu8

  • Old homestead along here with pear trees blooming in Dry Valley Blount Co. TN near the Smokies boundary line This place is close to my heart since this is what kind of place I come from.

    Old homestead along here with pear trees blooming in Dry Valley Blount Co. TN near the Smokies boundary line This place is close to my heart since this is what kind of place I come from.

  • Old Barn and Peach blossoms along Schoolhouse Gap Road Blount Co., TN 2008

    Old Barn and Peach blossoms along Schoolhouse Gap Road Blount Co., TN 2008

  • Schoolhouse Gap Trail near the junction of Scott Mtn Manway and the park boundary for the Smokies GSMNP TN 2008

    Schoolhouse Gap Trail near the junction of Scott Mtn Manway and the park boundary for the Smokies GSMNP TN 2008

  • Chestnut Top Trail is lovely and smells wonderfully of pine. The treadway here is soft underfoot. I call these kind of woods "Red Ridinghood Forest" GSMNP TN 2008

    Chestnut Top Trail is lovely and smells wonderfully of pine. The treadway here is soft underfoot. I call these kind of woods "Red Ridinghood Forest" GSMNP TN 2008

  • Gorgeous view of blue velvet mountains in the distance from Chestnut Top Trail GSMNP TN 2008

    Gorgeous view of blue velvet mountains in the distance from Chestnut Top Trail GSMNP TN 2008

  • Red Maple Blooms along Chestnut Top Trail Bears love to eat these in Spring. Acer rubrum Aceraceae Plenty of evidence of bears along the trail today. GSMNP TN 2008

    Red Maple Blooms along Chestnut Top Trail Bears love to eat these in Spring. Acer rubrum Aceraceae Plenty of evidence of bears along the trail today. GSMNP TN 2008

  • Solitary Pussytoes growing along Chestnut Top Trail Antennaria plantaginifolia Asteraceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Solitary Pussytoes growing along Chestnut Top Trail Antennaria plantaginifolia Asteraceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Trailing Arbutus likes dry woodland slopes such as along Chestnut Top Trail This specimen was especially pink. Epigaea repens Ericaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Trailing Arbutus likes dry woodland slopes such as along Chestnut Top Trail This specimen was especially pink. Epigaea repens Ericaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Rue Anemone or "Wind Flower" growing beside Chestnut Top Trail Thalictrum thalictroides Ranunculaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Rue Anemone or "Wind Flower" growing beside Chestnut Top Trail Thalictrum thalictroides Ranunculaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • These Hepatica blooms were impressive for both their large size, their perfect condition, and their unusual color pattern. Very pleasing to see! Chestnut Top Trail has oodles of them along its slopes. Hepatica acutiloba Ranunculaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    These Hepatica blooms were impressive for both their large size, their perfect condition, and their unusual color pattern. Very pleasing to see! Chestnut Top Trail has oodles of them along its slopes. Hepatica acutiloba Ranunculaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Hepatica cluster--all white variety. Chestnut Top Trail Hepatica acutiloba Ranunculaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Hepatica cluster--all white variety. Chestnut Top Trail Hepatica acutiloba Ranunculaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Hepatica--mostly pink variety. Chestnut Top Trail Hepatica acutiloba Ranunculaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Hepatica--mostly pink variety. Chestnut Top Trail Hepatica acutiloba Ranunculaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Ebony Spleenwort is one of the tiniest of all ferns. It can be seen along Chestnut Top Trail in the moister areas. It is intermingled with stonecrop here. Asplenium platyneuron Aspleniaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Ebony Spleenwort is one of the tiniest of all ferns. It can be seen along Chestnut Top Trail in the moister areas. It is intermingled with stonecrop here. Asplenium platyneuron Aspleniaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Long-spurred violets are coming out along Chestnut Top Trail Viola rostrata Violaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Long-spurred violets are coming out along Chestnut Top Trail Viola rostrata Violaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Very pink striped Spring Beauty lines the slopes at the beginning of Chestnut Top Trail. Claytonia virginica Portulacaceae. That's all for this edition, but stay tuned as the weeks and months unfold. There will be regular updates. GSMNP TN 2008

    Very pink striped Spring Beauty lines the slopes at the beginning of Chestnut Top Trail. Claytonia virginica Portulacaceae. That's all for this edition, but stay tuned as the weeks and months unfold. There will be regular updates. GSMNP TN 2008

  • Welcome to the second edition of Botanical Bliss--The Bloom Report 2008. Spring wildflowers are finally getting started however slowly this year. The drought we suffered last year seems to be ended. The killing freeze of Spring 2007 has been avoided. The bloom season promises to be perfect and enjoyable. Praise the Lord for answered prayer! The barn pictured above is one of many in Blount County and is very close to my house. I hope you will make time to get out and enjoy some of these beautiful Spring flowers and balmy weather. The bloom report will be updated frequently and will continue throughout the entire season ending about September. --Always Remember---The Wildest Flower in Tennessee is ME! Warmest Wishes, Dana Bee Koogler

    Welcome to the second edition of Botanical Bliss--The Bloom Report 2008. Spring wildflowers are finally getting started however slowly this year. The drought we suffered last year seems to be ended. The killing freeze of Spring 2007 has been avoided. The bloom season promises to be perfect and enjoyable. Praise the Lord for answered prayer! The barn pictured above is one of many in Blount County and is very close to my house. I hope you will make time to get out and enjoy some of these beautiful Spring flowers and balmy weather. The bloom report will be updated frequently and will continue throughout the entire season ending about September. --Always Remember---The Wildest Flower in Tennessee is ME! Warmest Wishes, Dana Bee Koogler

  • Trail heading down into Whiteoak Sinks leads through a great smelling, pretty pine forest. It is a peaceful place, but during wildflower season it can be more like party. I had the place to myself today. I sneaked in a quick hike before going to work at night.

    Trail heading down into Whiteoak Sinks leads through a great smelling, pretty pine forest. It is a peaceful place, but during wildflower season it can be more like party. I had the place to myself today. I sneaked in a quick hike before going to work at night.

  • Halberdleaf Yellow Violet was the first wildflower I spotted on the path heading into the Sinks. Viola hastata Violaceae Great Smoky Mountains, TN 2008

    Halberdleaf Yellow Violet was the first wildflower I spotted on the path heading into the Sinks. Viola hastata Violaceae Great Smoky Mountains, TN 2008

  • I had lots of squirrels for company today. They were courting and sparking. Secret Squirrel here was hustling acorns which were plentiful along the path. White Oak Sinks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 2008

    I had lots of squirrels for company today. They were courting and sparking. Secret Squirrel here was hustling acorns which were plentiful along the path. White Oak Sinks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 2008

  • Wind Flower or Rue Anemone in bloom. It is so delicate and pretty! Thalactrum thalictroides Ranunculaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Wind Flower or Rue Anemone in bloom. It is so delicate and pretty! Thalactrum thalictroides Ranunculaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Later in the bloom season this path leading down into White Oak Sinks is closed in on both sides by vegetation and flowers! This is the latest bloom season I've observed here in 6 years. There are many limestone sinks present in this place. This is karstland at its finest. You can see one to the right of the path in this photo.

    Later in the bloom season this path leading down into White Oak Sinks is closed in on both sides by vegetation and flowers! This is the latest bloom season I've observed here in 6 years. There are many limestone sinks present in this place. This is karstland at its finest. You can see one to the right of the path in this photo.

  • Hepatica spp? --a very pink specimen. I did not see any foliage around to be able to distinguish if this was the sharp-lobed or round lobed variety of hepatica. Ranunculaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Hepatica spp? --a very pink specimen. I did not see any foliage around to be able to distinguish if this was the sharp-lobed or round lobed variety of hepatica. Ranunculaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Cliffs entering White Oak Sinks. They are coated with deep green moss. Later in the bloom season these will look like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Cliffs entering White Oak Sinks. They are coated with deep green moss. Later in the bloom season these will look like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • These factured rocks covered with moss are typical of what is found in limestone sinks. The moisture and mineral content is conducive to wildflower proliferation. Flowers tend to bloom first at lower elevations moving higher up about 100-200 ft per day. The White Oak Sinks is at one of the lowest elevations in the park making it a sheltered location. It is also a relatively flat area surrounded by mountains all all sides. White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    These factured rocks covered with moss are typical of what is found in limestone sinks. The moisture and mineral content is conducive to wildflower proliferation. Flowers tend to bloom first at lower elevations moving higher up about 100-200 ft per day. The White Oak Sinks is at one of the lowest elevations in the park making it a sheltered location. It is also a relatively flat area surrounded by mountains all all sides. White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • The path leads through trees showing the faintest pea green buds. This is one of my favorite colors of all time.. Spring green! White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    The path leads through trees showing the faintest pea green buds. This is one of my favorite colors of all time.. Spring green! White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Tall trees in the floor of the sink. The path here is heading toward the Blowhole Cave and the cliffs. The Scott Mountain Manway turns right just before the cliff and heads up to Schoolhouse Gap. White Oak Sinks is not a hard hike, but it is not an official trail in the Smokies. If you ever get disoriented in here remember to head downhill! The trails lead down into the bowl if you get messed up. That is one way to right yourself. White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Tall trees in the floor of the sink. The path here is heading toward the Blowhole Cave and the cliffs. The Scott Mountain Manway turns right just before the cliff and heads up to Schoolhouse Gap. White Oak Sinks is not a hard hike, but it is not an official trail in the Smokies. If you ever get disoriented in here remember to head downhill! The trails lead down into the bowl if you get messed up. That is one way to right yourself. White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Green grass edging the trail thru the Sinks. White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Green grass edging the trail thru the Sinks. White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Spring Beauties--the prettiest ones I've seen yet! Claytonia virginica Portulacaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Spring Beauties--the prettiest ones I've seen yet! Claytonia virginica Portulacaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Sharp-lobed Hepatica growing in the rocks of White Oak Sinks. Hepatica acutiloba Ranunculaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Sharp-lobed Hepatica growing in the rocks of White Oak Sinks. Hepatica acutiloba Ranunculaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Toadshade Foliage. There is something to be said for learning the flowers by the leaves. Then you can come back to look again when they are bloomed out! White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Toadshade Foliage. There is something to be said for learning the flowers by the leaves. Then you can come back to look again when they are bloomed out! White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Smooth Yellow Violet Viola pensylvanica Violaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Smooth Yellow Violet Viola pensylvanica Violaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • The purple phlox is just beginning to open. A few weeks from now the entire floor of the sinks will be covered with mayapples and phlox in bloom! White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    The purple phlox is just beginning to open. A few weeks from now the entire floor of the sinks will be covered with mayapples and phlox in bloom! White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Carolina Vetch along Schoolhouse Gap Trail on the way to the sinks. Vicia caroliniana Fabaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Carolina Vetch along Schoolhouse Gap Trail on the way to the sinks. Vicia caroliniana Fabaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Bloodroot opening in the sunshine. Sunshine isn't "supposed" to be good for flower photography, but it sure is good for the flowers and the soul! Sanguinaria canadensis Ranunculaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Bloodroot opening in the sunshine. Sunshine isn't "supposed" to be good for flower photography, but it sure is good for the flowers and the soul! Sanguinaria canadensis Ranunculaceae White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Bloodroot lines the slopes this time of year in White Oak Sinks. Sanguinaria canadensis Ranunculaceae Whiteoak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Bloodroot lines the slopes this time of year in White Oak Sinks. Sanguinaria canadensis Ranunculaceae Whiteoak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Trail leading away toward the waterfall White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

    Trail leading away toward the waterfall White Oak Sinks, GSMNP, TN 2008

  • Waterfall in White Oak Sinks GSMNP TN 2008 This falls down into a cave and flows for a distance and re-emerges as Silver Falls in Tuckaleechee Caverns.

    Waterfall in White Oak Sinks GSMNP TN 2008 This falls down into a cave and flows for a distance and re-emerges as Silver Falls in Tuckaleechee Caverns.

  • The "shortcut" out of Whiteoak Sinks. If you climb this steep bank hanging onto roots and limbs...... it cuts off a considerable portion of the trip. It is right alongside the cave and you can get a good view down into the pit! GSMNP TN 2008

    The "shortcut" out of Whiteoak Sinks. If you climb this steep bank hanging onto roots and limbs...... it cuts off a considerable portion of the trip. It is right alongside the cave and you can get a good view down into the pit! GSMNP TN 2008

  • Sunday I hiked the lower 1.2 miles of Bote Mountain Trail. I realized I hadn't hiked that remnant of the trail in completing my 900 Miler. It is not a very good Spring wildflower trail, but it is pretty and I had it to myself! It is across the road from Schoolhouse Gap parking area GSMNP TN 2008

    Sunday I hiked the lower 1.2 miles of Bote Mountain Trail. I realized I hadn't hiked that remnant of the trail in completing my 900 Miler. It is not a very good Spring wildflower trail, but it is pretty and I had it to myself! It is across the road from Schoolhouse Gap parking area GSMNP TN 2008

  • Longspurred violets along Laurel Creek Road Viola rostrata Violaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Longspurred violets along Laurel Creek Road Viola rostrata Violaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Sweet White Violet along Bote Mtn Trail Viola blanda Violaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Sweet White Violet along Bote Mtn Trail Viola blanda Violaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Jeweled Wakerobin or Sweet White Trillium at Tremont Trillium simile Liliaceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Jeweled Wakerobin or Sweet White Trillium at Tremont Trillium simile Liliaceae GSMNP TN 2008

  • Robin's Plantain at Tremont Erigeron pulchellus Asteraceae GSMNP TN 2008

    Robin's Plantain at Tremont Erigeron pulchellus Asteraceae GSMNP TN 2008

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    Schoolhouse Gap Trail near the junction of Scott Mtn Manway and the park boundary for the Smokies GSMNP TN 2008
    Chestnut Top Trail is lovely and smells wonderfully of pine. The treadway here is soft underfoot. I call these kind of woods "Red Ridinghood Forest" GSMNP TN 2008
    Gorgeous view of blue velvet mountains in the distance from Chestnut Top Trail GSMNP TN 2008