WILDFLOWERS: Pine Mountain State Resort Park - May 4

Wild Geranium

At Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, the mountain hollows are abundantly adorned with wildflowers.   Among the myriad of blossoms to be viewed at this time are wild geranium, golden ragwort, dwarf larkspur, erect trillium, large-flowered trillium, yellow trillium, rue anemone, hairy buttercup, large-flowered bellwort, pennywort, violet wood-sorrel, Jacob’s ladder, purple phacelia, foamflower, stonecrop, wood vetch, wood-betony, Canada violet, arrow-leaved violet, birdfoot violet, downy wood violet, common blue violet, sweet white violet, long-spurred violet, wild ginger, little brown jug, wild ginger and star chickweed.  Pink lady's slippers have been observed flowering in certain locales and the yellow buckeye is in bloom.

In secluded coves a deep green carpet speckled with the scarlet accents of partridgeberry is eye-catching on the forest floor beneath the hemlocks. The dogwoods are at full flower and the redbuds are leafing out as their color fades.

Now is the time for wildflower photographers to flock to the mountains to capture spring greenery and blossoms in their full glory.  An abundance of water and seasonably mild temperatures with ample sunshine has goaded spring into producing some of the healthiest displays of native flora in recent years.  The time is right.  Come to the mountains and see it for yourself!

WILDFLOWERS: Pine Mountain State Resort Park - April 23

Large-flowered Trillium

At Pine Mountain State Resort Park near Pineville, wildflowers continue to emerge as early season sun warms the spring woodlands.

This week's colorful display includes long-spurred violet, sweet white violet, halberd-leaved yellow violet, downy wood violet, blue violet, trailing arbutus, erect trillium, large-flowered trillium, yellow trillium, rue anemone, hairy buttercup, large-flowered bellwort, pennywort, violet wood-sorrel, blue phlox, Jacob's ladder, purple phacelia, Virginia bluebells, foamflower, stonecrop, wood vetch, wood betony, Canada violet, arrow-leaved violet, bird foot violet, golden ragwort, wild ginger and little brown jug.

In addition, lush ferns are everywhere in abundance and orchid greenery can also be observed. Among them are cranefly orchid, putty-root orchid, and rattlesnake plantain.  The silvery-green foliage of Pink Lady's Slipper has also slipped above the leaf litter.

Redbuds and dogwoods are now in full flower across the region making for spectacular spring sightseeing drives. The Cumberland Gap Parkway (Highway 25E), from Corbin to Middlesboro, is particularly lovely at this time.

WILDFLOWERS: Pine Mountain State Resort Park - April 3

Colt's Foot (Tussilago farfara)

As the park and mountain emerges from winter, long dormant flowering plants that slumbered beneath the fallen leaves and snow begin to stir.  It won't belong before warming soils will push the wildflowers above ground and the spring sun will draw their pastel petals forth like milk through a straw.

We're already seeing the first indications that a mountain spring has arrived; the flowering of serviceberry (Sarvis) and the emergence of colt's foot on shale banks at roadside.  They are accompanied by an assortment of violets, the humblest of wildflowers.

The botanical activity in the weeks ahead will be rapid-paced and nothing short of spectacular.  At the height of the season, it sometimes seems as if everything is trying to happen at the same time.  We invite you to visit Kentucky's mountainous, southeastern region.  Revel with us in the bustle and pageantry of an Appalachian spring.

Highlands Hike to Blanton Forest
Enjoy expanded adventure hiking within one of Pine Mountain’s most diverse ecological treasures.  A virtual time capsule, the 3,124-acre Blanton Forest is one of eastern America’s largest old-growth forests.  Total hiking distance is 5 miles.  Hiking boots are recommended.  Total field trip time is 8 hours.  To register, contact the park’s Guest Services Desk at (800) 325-1712 or (606) 337-3066 and mention the Blanton Forest hike.

Click on this link to visit the park's website:
http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/pine-mountain/default.aspx

Click on this link to visit the Naturalist's blog:
http://pine-mountain-naturalist.blogspot.com/

MOUNTAIN EAGLES: Soaring Birds Return

The "Mountain Eagles" are back!  They're Turkey Vultures, of course, and the park’s Mountain View Restaurant annually provides premiere, window-seat viewing of a large gathering of the great soaring birds from mid February through the end of March.

Turkey Vultures

This year, they arrived on February 12th and over the next month and a half, park visitors will enjoy spectacular views of their avian aerobatics.  At Pine Mountain in late winter, a vortex of a couple hundred vultures is observed morning & evening during their period of communal roosting.  By the time March arrives, a menagerie of magnificent soaring birds will dominate the skies.  The birds roost in the crowns of giant, old growth trees nestled in the heart of the park's celebrated Hemlock Garden.

In recent years, the event has been embraced as a natural tradition and the annual occurrence provides excellent opportunities to photograph these lesser celebrated birds of prey, in significant numbers, as they pinwheel and pirouette in casual soaring and aerial play.

Pine Mountain State Nature Preserve

Pink Corydalis

More than half of the park's acreage is designated as a Kentucky State Nature Preserve.  Pine Mountain State Nature Preserve consists of approximately 868 acres.  The preserve is situated on the Pine Mountain fault block, known as one of the most prominent geological structures in the eastern United States.

The preserve contains an old growth forest of eastern hemlock, tulip poplar, and white oak - many 200-300 years old.  The site is home to an infrequent wildflower known as Pink Corydalis (Corydalis Sempervirens).  In Kentucky it is restricted to the southeastern section and is sometimes locally plentiful on sandstone on Pine mountain.  A significant archaeological site, a large natural sandstone shelter known as Rock Hotel, is also on the preserve and was formerly inhabited by prehistoric Native Americans.

Rock Hotel Natural Shelter

All state nature preserves are special places, but those located within the Kentucky State Parks are particularly unique locales with specific management priorities.  While parks are maintained primarily for outdoor recreation and nature study, nature preserves are set apart for the express use of rare or endangered species or communities that occur there.  The Pine Mountain preserve is managed in cooperation with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

Winter Photo Weekend - January 25-27, 2013

Pine Mountain State Resort Park will again provide cold-weather adventure with Winter Photo Weekend set for January 25-27, 2013.  The event features a digital photography competition with divisions for both amateur and accomplished photographers, impressive evening picture shows, and the exceptional photographic work and instruction of Ian Plant, an acclaimed nature photographer whose been photographing our natural world for almost 20 years.  His photos and instructional articles have appeared in a number of books calendars, and magazines, including Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, Practical Photography, Landscape Photography, National Parks, Common Ground, and Blue Ridge Country, among others.  Plant is the author of eight print books, including Chesapeake: Bay of Light (2007) and is one of the lead authors of The Ultimate Guide to Digital Nature Photography (2009).

Herndon J. Evans Lodge at PMSRP

The weekend event is a quest that leads you on a discovery trek to out-of-the-way places where raw nature resides.  Woodlands, waters, weather, and wildlife are all part of the experience and it all takes place at one of the park systems finest natural resorts.  The evenings feature spectacular picture shows offered by our guest professional, and the wonderful dining and cozy accommodations on hand at the rustic lodge round out the experience.

The park’s weekend event plan generally focuses on nature and offers up four competition categories in two divisions.  There’s both an amateur and accomplished class of competition, so participants are competing only against photographers of similar skill.  In the end, the best shots will emerge as winners in the finale show.  Participants always enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that permeates the mountaintop resort in winter.  Even though the photo competition is timed, the event is hassle-free, and devoid of the pressure that so often accompanies similar events.  The emphasis is on interfacing with nature, finding the best locations, and taking your best shots.  Some say the event is a terrific alternative to being cooped up at home watching the snow fly, and many feel the event’s simplicity may be the best thing about it.

If you’re looking to get out in the frosty air to stretch mind and body, Pine Mountain’s Winter Photo Weekend just may be the adventure you’re looking for.  Don’t worry about the snow.  The park has its own snow removal equipment, and life goes on, regardless of the weather and conditions.  Besides, you just might be lucky enough to be on hand when the snow comes.   An ample snowfall not only enhances the picture-taking prospects, but the brooding evergreens covered in snow on the vaulted slopes and craggy cliffs of Pine Mountain are a truly splendorous sight!

A special package is offered for this year’s event that includes two night’s lodging, two evening meals, and admission to all shows as well as the competition.  The event package for one person is $142 (+ tax) and the event package for two persons is $192 (+ tax).

To make a reservation, contact Pine Mountain State Resort Park’s Guest Services Desk at (800) 325-1712 or (606) 337-3066.

Pine Mountain's Mixed Deciduous Forest

The mixed deciduous forest is at it’s very best on the south slope of Kentucky’s Pine Mountain.  Within the mixed deciduous, elsewhere known as the Appalachian Cove Forest, it's common to find forest communities that boast a shared dominance of 25 or more species of trees.

Huge Persimmon at Pine Mountain SRP

There are five discernible layers in this complex assemblage – a top canopy of mature trees, a mid-story of trees that are aspiring to the canopy, an under-story of smaller trees and shrubs, a ground layer of showy flowering plants, and a surface layer of mosses and lichens.  The mixed deciduous forest, comprised of deciduous hardwoods, towering evergreens, and myriad herbaceous plants is recognized as the oldest and most intricate forest association in eastern North America.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park is a very special place.  Here, ravine gorges and wooded coves are clothed in a rich robe of vegetation that is more stable, complex, and varied than any other in Kentucky.  Region wide, over 130 species of trees and 1400 different species of flowering herbs have found quiet sanctuary in these forest surroundings that date back thousands of years.

Massive trees abound in isolated, undisturbed mature stands throughout the park and include hemlock, tulip poplar, white oak, black oak, chestnut oak, and formerly, American chestnut.  Closely associated with them are a lesser group of trees that include sugar maple, red maple, basswood, yellow buckeye, red oak, black walnut, white ash, and an assortment of magnolias among others.

Fragmented Old Growth Forest at Pine Mountain SRP

Unlike northern boreal forests prehistorically overrun and displaced by glaciers over 12,000 years ago, the forests of the Cumberland Mountains remained untouched by ice.  As the Cumberland Mountains were just south of the glacial ice advance, they served as an important refuge for northern species that migrated southward ahead of the glacier to the less extreme, more hospitable climate.  Now, mixed forests of hardwoods, evergreens, and herbaceous plants featuring northern and southern species living virtually side-by-side is tangible evidence of that relocation.  A hike from the top of Pine Mountain, by traversing the dry upland ridges and descending into the moist ravine gorges is comparable to undertaking a great journey from southern Ontario southward to northern Georgia.