John and I had an eventful day touring Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee. Spring wildflowers abound and the bears have come out of hibernation hungry. We were up close (about 12 feet) to a big black bear that was tearing apart a rotting log to enjoy a snack of yellow jacket larvae. Black bears in this park also eat a lot of squaw root which is a parasite on oak roots. They also frequently climb trees to eat the blossoms and then nap. The former favorite food and staple of these bears, the chestnut, is no longer available as virtually all American chestnut trees were killed by an Asiatic fungus that swept through the Appalachians in the 1930's. Kinda like us humanoids loosing all our coffee or chocolate. Likely to make ya very cranky!!
It is such a thrill to see the first signs of spring. The tender green of new leaves on the forest trees is like cool water across the eyes. The blooms of the wild dogwood against the leafy greenness with the occasional giant magnolia blossom popping out are proof of Spring's progress. And wildflowers! Yes!
Giant Magnolia Blossom
Cades Cove
Mountain Music Banjo Player
The dogwood blooms take my breath away every spring! Thank goodness they can even be found here in the Sierra foothills. Haven't seen any bears coming out of hibernation though. I love the photos of Tennessee. Always wanted to see the Smoky Mountains. Thanks for the vicarious travel fun!
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Reminds me of "The Big Rock Candy Mountain"!! A hobo's paradise!
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