2. Nature

Balsam Mountain

Wildflowers and what is to see in the Balsam Mountain and Blue Ridge Parkway Area through the seasons.
Includes photos from Blue Ridge Parkway segment from Oconaluftee to Waterrock Knob, Balsam Mountain spur, and Heintooga.
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  • Bracken Ferns and Golden Alexanders Balsam Mountain Road, GSMNP 6/17/07

    Bracken Ferns and Golden Alexanders Balsam Mountain Road, GSMNP 6/17/07

  • Indian Paintbrush, Yarrow Milfoil, chickweed, wild geranium, golden alexanders. Balsam Mtn Road, GSMNP 6/17/07

    Indian Paintbrush, Yarrow Milfoil, chickweed, wild geranium, golden alexanders. Balsam Mtn Road, GSMNP 6/17/07

  • Flame azalea and ferns along Balsam Mtn. Road The ground here was spaghnum moss and very spongy on the roadside! Balsam Mountain Road, GSMNP 6/17/07

    Flame azalea and ferns along Balsam Mtn. Road The ground here was spaghnum moss and very spongy on the roadside! Balsam Mountain Road, GSMNP 6/17/07

  • Yellow Flame Azalea and butterfly Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Yellow Flame Azalea and butterfly Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Flame Azalea Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Flame Azalea Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Ebony Spleenwort Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Ebony Spleenwort Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Old Man's Beard Lichen Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Old Man's Beard Lichen Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Mass of large ferns not sure what kind Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Mass of large ferns not sure what kind Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Mile High Overlook Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Mile High Overlook Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Dwarf Potato Dandelion Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Dwarf Potato Dandelion Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Possibly fly poison and broad beech ferns old nature trail at Mile High Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Possibly fly poison and broad beech ferns old nature trail at Mile High Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • fly poison? Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    fly poison? Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • closeup fly poison? Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    closeup fly poison? Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Wall of black balsams Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Wall of black balsams Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Gopher Weed Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Gopher Weed Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Penstemon canescens Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Penstemon canescens Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Catawba Rhododendron Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Catawba Rhododendron Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Closeup Catawba Rhododendron Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Closeup Catawba Rhododendron Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Blue Skies and Sushine Today at Heintooga Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Blue Skies and Sushine Today at Heintooga Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Stately row of balsam trees Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Stately row of balsam trees Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • nature trail near picnic area Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    nature trail near picnic area Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Looking up the slope from Flat Creek Trail toward the picnic grounds Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Looking up the slope from Flat Creek Trail toward the picnic grounds Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • This lush green grass is evidence of this forest having been logged in the past. Grass doesn't usually grow in a red spruce forest. Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    This lush green grass is evidence of this forest having been logged in the past. Grass doesn't usually grow in a red spruce forest. Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • What is that? Either speckled wood lily or small false hellebore? Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    What is that? Either speckled wood lily or small false hellebore? Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • thickly bloomed out closeup Purple Fringed Orchid Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    thickly bloomed out closeup Purple Fringed Orchid Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Purple Fringed Orchid 2 Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Purple Fringed Orchid 2 Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Small Purple Fringed Orchid P. psycodes Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Small Purple Fringed Orchid P. psycodes Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Tassell Rue trautvetteria caroliniensis Ranunculaceae Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Tassell Rue trautvetteria caroliniensis Ranunculaceae Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Looking up through Heintooga Picnic Grounds Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Looking up through Heintooga Picnic Grounds Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Mossy picnic table Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Mossy picnic table Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Stone Picnic Table Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Stone Picnic Table Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Nature Trail leading from picnic grounds to Flat Creek Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Nature Trail leading from picnic grounds to Flat Creek Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Heintooga Overlook View Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Heintooga Overlook View Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Bench for relaxing and enjoying the view at Heintooga Overlook Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Bench for relaxing and enjoying the view at Heintooga Overlook Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Heintooga Nature Trail 2 Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Heintooga Nature Trail 2 Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • This giant birch tree was healthy looking up top. Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    This giant birch tree was healthy looking up top. Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Deep dark woods of Summertime Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Deep dark woods of Summertime Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Red Riding Hood Forest Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    Red Riding Hood Forest Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • View into the distance of the red spruce forest along Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

    View into the distance of the red spruce forest along Heintooga Nature Trail Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07

  • Cluster of Crimson Bee Balm near Chimneytops Picnic Grounds GSMNP TN 6/17/07

    Cluster of Crimson Bee Balm near Chimneytops Picnic Grounds GSMNP TN 6/17/07

  • 2nd shot Crimson Bee Balm Chimneytops Picnic area GSMNP TN 6/17/07

    2nd shot Crimson Bee Balm Chimneytops Picnic area GSMNP TN 6/17/07

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    Looking up the slope from Flat Creek Trail toward the picnic grounds Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07
    This lush green grass is evidence of this forest having been logged in the past. Grass doesn't usually grow in a red spruce forest. Balsam Mtn Road GSMNP NC 6/17/07