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June’s Wild Edible: Wineberries

The scarlet red glistening jewels are especially dazzling on an early summer morning before the morning dew disappears.

July’s Wild Edible: Cleavers

With their sticky leaves and stems, cleavers come by their names honestly and are one of the more interesting plants that dwell in our region.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Bald Eagle

This stunning raptor (who is not actually “bald”) is on the I’d-love-to-see-one list of both casual and dedicated bird lovers everywhere.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: American Kestrel

Birding from a moving vehicle is not exactly the ideal circumstance to identify an avian species…unless you’re on the lookout for the American Kestrel.

Waterfall Wednesday: Dry Falls – Nantahala’s Backside of Water Roadside Attraction

Setting alongside U.S. Highway 64 in Highlands, North Carolina, sits nature's premier waterfall attraction.

Current Issue

Wineberries with the morning dew glistening on them.

June’s Wild Edible: Wineberries

The scarlet red glistening jewels are especially dazzling on an early summer morning before the morning dew disappears.
Cleavers growing in the author’s backyard.

July’s Wild Edible: Cleavers

With their sticky leaves and stems, cleavers come by their names honestly and are one of the more interesting plants that dwell in our region.
3ea8cd8e-dd22-11ed-85c2-12163087a831-Bald-Eagle-10-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Bald Eagle

This stunning raptor (who is not actually “bald”) is on the I’d-love-to-see-one list of both casual and dedicated bird lovers everywhere.
814904d2-dd23-11ed-aa16-12163087a831-1American-Kestrel-1-by-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: American Kestrel

Birding from a moving vehicle is not exactly the ideal circumstance to identify an avian species…unless you’re on the lookout for the American Kestrel.
View from deck

Waterfall Wednesday: Dry Falls – Nantahala’s Backside of Water Roadside Attraction

Setting alongside U.S. Highway 64 in Highlands, North Carolina, sits nature's premier waterfall attraction.
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Departments

Vibrant Monarch butterfly clings to its translucent dew covered cocoon
Creature Feature

Monarch Mimickers

It’s easy to mistake other orange species for the king of fall butterflies.

August 26, 2026
At Coopers Rock State Forest, new Stargazer cabins invite guests to look up through skylights and telescopes.
Country Roads

Even Closer to Almost Heaven

New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.

June 29, 2026
©Duncan Seaman
Country Roads

A Mountain Tradition Turns 90 

Visitors flock to Galax, Virginia, each summer for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, a days-long celebration of Appalachian music.

June 29, 2026

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