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Behind Blue Ridge Country

CURRENT Behind Blue Ridge Country

May’s Mountain Wildflower: Smooth Solomon’s Seal

Because these plants cannot tolerate direct sunlight, you will not encounter the Solomon’s seals until the tree canopy has begun to leaf out.

May’s Wild Edible: Gem-Studded Puffball

Numerous species of puffballs are native to the Blue Ridge, and certainly one of the most common ones is the dull-white gem-studded puffball.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Yellow-rumped Warbler

Affectionately called “butter-butt,” the yellow rump on this warbler is hard to miss!

April’s Mountain Wildflower: Serviceberry

Early springtime drives on an otherwise dull and monotonous four-lane highway can be transformed into wondrous trips by hillsides covered with splashes of white serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) flowers.

April’s Wild Edible: Half-Free Morels

For those of us who search for mushrooms in the Blue Ridge Mountains, April means it morel season, all month long.

Current Issue

ca6fd290-2753-11f0-8efc-12163087a831-website_5-2025smoothsolomon_sseal--credt-Joe-Cook-and-Monica-Sheppard_1_

May’s Mountain Wildflower: Smooth Solomon’s Seal

Because these plants cannot tolerate direct sunlight, you will not encounter the Solomon’s seals until the tree canopy has begun to leaf out.
Gem-studded puffballs can be found growing by themselves or in clusters.

May’s Wild Edible: Gem-Studded Puffball

Numerous species of puffballs are native to the Blue Ridge, and certainly one of the most common ones is the dull-white gem-studded puffball.
931ea432-2047-11f0-b2b0-12163087a831-Yellow-rumped-Warbler---photo-by-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Yellow-rumped Warbler

Affectionately called “butter-butt,” the yellow rump on this warbler is hard to miss!
ae8df4ae-0fec-11f0-9860-12163087a831-4-2025serviceberry--credit-Joe-Cook

April’s Mountain Wildflower: Serviceberry

Early springtime drives on an otherwise dull and monotonous four-lane highway can be transformed into wondrous trips by hillsides covered with splashes of white serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) flowers.
Half-free morels growing on the side of a Craig County, Virginia mountain.

April’s Wild Edible: Half-Free Morels

For those of us who search for mushrooms in the Blue Ridge Mountains, April means it morel season, all month long.
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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