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Behind Blue Ridge Country

CURRENT Behind Blue Ridge Country

November’s Wild Edible: Sourwood

The sourwood is only found in Eastern North America and is most abundant in the Blue Ridge – making it a quintessential Southern Appalachians tree.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Pileated Woodpecker

As one of our largest and most strikingly decorated forest birds, the Pileated Woodpecker is a delight to see and hear.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Red-winged Blackbird

This species is known for their bold demeanor, particularly when there’s a nest to defend.

October’s Wild Edible: Black Trumpets

In the Blue Ridge Mountains, chanterelle family members such as the smooth and cinnabar light up the forest floor with their yellow and red hues, respectively. But their close relative the black trumpet is anything but flashy.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Northern Flicker

The first flicker I remember seeing confounded me. With binoculars in one hand and my favorite field guide in the other, a positive ID was made: Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker.

Current Issue

Sourwood leaves are edible and the blooms attract honeybees.

November’s Wild Edible: Sourwood

The sourwood is only found in Eastern North America and is most abundant in the Blue Ridge – making it a quintessential Southern Appalachians tree.
cb418c6c-55f1-11ed-91d7-12274efc5439-Pileated-Woodpecker-female---photo-by-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Pileated Woodpecker

As one of our largest and most strikingly decorated forest birds, the Pileated Woodpecker is a delight to see and hear.
b9cc4ccc-4a27-11ed-8733-12274efc5439-Red-winged-Blackbird-1---photo-by-Mike-Blevins-_1_

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Red-winged Blackbird

This species is known for their bold demeanor, particularly when there’s a nest to defend.
Black trumpets often grow in small colonies.

October’s Wild Edible: Black Trumpets

In the Blue Ridge Mountains, chanterelle family members such as the smooth and cinnabar light up the forest floor with their yellow and red hues, respectively. But their close relative the black trumpet is anything but flashy.
e2c11504-3dd4-11ed-a2f7-12274efc5439-Yellow-shafted-Flicker-1---photo-by-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Northern Flicker

The first flicker I remember seeing confounded me. With binoculars in one hand and my favorite field guide in the other, a positive ID was made: Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker.
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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