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Behind Blue Ridge Country

CURRENT Behind Blue Ridge Country

Birds of the Blue Ridge: White-throated Sparrow

These large, plump sparrows with a small bill scratch backward on the ground and are regular visitors to backyard feeders.

February’s Wild Edible: Turkey Tail Mushrooms

In our region, one of the most common mushrooms during the fall and winter is the turkey tail mushroom.

January’s Wild Edible: Teaberry

Gaultheria procumbens, also known as the winterberry, boxberry, and checkerberry more or less officially goes by the appellation of the Eastern teaberry, but most folks drop the first half of its name.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Red Crossbill

Keep your binoculars at the ready. That “redbird” in the forest may not be a Cardinal!

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Pied-billed Grebe

The envy of all helmsmen piloting a submarine, this grebe is a master of buoyancy control.

Current Issue

70fed52a-a62d-11ed-84a6-12b3f1b64877-White-throated-Sparrow-4---photo-by-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: White-throated Sparrow

These large, plump sparrows with a small bill scratch backward on the ground and are regular visitors to backyard feeders.
Turkey tail growing on a dead hardwood stump.

February’s Wild Edible: Turkey Tail Mushrooms

In our region, one of the most common mushrooms during the fall and winter is the turkey tail mushroom.
Gaultheria procumbens.

January’s Wild Edible: Teaberry

Gaultheria procumbens, also known as the winterberry, boxberry, and checkerberry more or less officially goes by the appellation of the Eastern teaberry, but most folks drop the first half of its name.
844eb1d2-814c-11ed-8fbd-12b3f1b64877-Red-Crossbills-by-Michael-Todd

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Red Crossbill

Keep your binoculars at the ready. That “redbird” in the forest may not be a Cardinal!
0dc1a9de-814c-11ed-9a2f-12b3f1b64877-Pied-billed-Grebe-by-Michael-Todd

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Pied-billed Grebe

The envy of all helmsmen piloting a submarine, this grebe is a master of buoyancy control.
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Departments

Smith Mountain Lake Virginia is a hidden gem within the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful area features boating, sailing, hiking, shopping, fishing, and much more.
From The Editor

Sarah Smiles: The Lake Effect

Growing up, many of my weekends were spent at my late step-grandmother’s house on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

June 26, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS