Natural History Wanderings

October 10, 2016, Report: What a great week for a gorgeous drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway! Leaves are still mostly green with some bright colors evolving south of Craggy Gardens and south of Mt. Pisgah. At Craggy Gardens, find hillsides of red berries of the mountain ash (pic above). Overall, fall color is running about a week later than usual due to the warm weather. Even the highest ridges (including Mt. Mitchell) have just spotty color so far. But this week brings frosty mornings that will speed up the color change. Farther north on the Parkway, Beacon Heights (pic at very top of page) already has plenty of color on its rock summit. Spectacular fall weather is ahead this week with bright blue skies. See more recent photos at our fall photo reports!