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Birds of the Blue Ridge: Common Merganser

Elegant, streamlined Common Mergansers gather on the freshwaters of the Blue Ridge during winter.

March’s Mountain Wildflower: Bloodroot

One of the pleasures of a late winter/early spring walk in the woods is spying the tightly-wound green leaf of a bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) plant pushing its way through the frost-encrusted soil.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Mallard

This dabbling duck, like other bird species, loses its feathers (molts) once per year and becomes flightless during that time.

20th Year of the Hiking Oddity: A Few New Spots and Lots of Family Along*

Most of our every-weekend hikes were local to our home in Roanoke, Virginia, and repeats of ones we’ve done many times, but there were a few new things along the way.

February’s Wild Edible: Fiddlehead Ferns

In decades and centuries past, settlers in these mountains consumed what they called the fiddleheads of ferns. But just what is a fiddlehead?

Current Issue

Female Common Merganser and ducklings.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Common Merganser

Elegant, streamlined Common Mergansers gather on the freshwaters of the Blue Ridge during winter.
901e31ac-f50f-11ef-8d7e-12163087a831-3-2025bloodroot--credit-Joe-Cook-and-Monica-Sheppard

March’s Mountain Wildflower: Bloodroot

One of the pleasures of a late winter/early spring walk in the woods is spying the tightly-wound green leaf of a bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) plant pushing its way through the frost-encrusted soil.
Male and female Mallards.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Mallard

This dabbling duck, like other bird species, loses its feathers (molts) once per year and becomes flightless during that time.
The Greatest Day Hiker of Them All takes the jump at Arnold Valley Pool, June 16 (the family gave her a standing O).

20th Year of the Hiking Oddity: A Few New Spots and Lots of Family Along*

Most of our every-weekend hikes were local to our home in Roanoke, Virginia, and repeats of ones we’ve done many times, but there were a few new things along the way.
Christmas fern fiddleheads are not edible and can be toxic.

February’s Wild Edible: Fiddlehead Ferns

In decades and centuries past, settlers in these mountains consumed what they called the fiddleheads of ferns. But just what is a fiddlehead?
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Departments

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
Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

June 29, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS