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Birds of the Blue Ridge: Black-and-white Warbler

This striped little bird is about the size of our chickadees and “creeps” up and down trees like our nuthatches.

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.

Current Issue

60fdc2cc-2046-11f0-aa8d-12163087a831-Black-and-white-Warbler---photo-by-Robin-Edwards

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Black-and-white Warbler

This striped little bird is about the size of our chickadees and “creeps” up and down trees like our nuthatches.
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.
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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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS