Autumn in the Mts.

[mole]

Still SLOWLY working through a big backlog of photos from this bright autumn season. Here are a few snapshots of autumn scenes up in the higher country here in East Tennessee.

First a quick trip up Holston Mountain, from the Bristol TN side, on a fine damp autumn day. We went partly to check on some wildlife populations, but also for the view across Shady Valley. It was a fine, but rather foggy view...

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Fog closing in kept out the broad views, but made for some great light on the details. Here are a few shots of some of the frost-tinted ferns, mostly Hay-Scented Fern (it does smell of sweet fresh hay!)

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And some views of Cinnamon Fern fading into autumnal tints...

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It's been a great crop year for both soft mast (berries and fruits) and hard mast (seeds and nuts) - bodes well for healthy Black Bears and many others. Here are some ripe Maple Leaf Viburnum fruits, with an autumnal background, and two views of Whorled Loosestrife, showing the tiny, but nutritious (for "critters") seeds.

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And a few "late bloomers" - Gentian still blooming in the fall, and Inky Cap Mushrooms ripening their black, spore-filled ooze (what an odd way to spread their spores!)

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Another high country hike took us to Firescald Knob on a clear, sunny morning. Fall colors were just past their peak, with low sunlight rimming the ridges.

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There was still a bit of mist clinging to the cool, shaded "hollers."

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And plenty of detail revealed by the low angle of the sunlight...

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Sun climbed quickly across Firescald Knob, Blackstack Cliff, and White Rocks, clearing out the mist, warming the high dry ridges...and also warming the hikers!!

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Hope you enjoyed these two quick jaunts to the high country, and that you will share your comments & critique!