Frost Overcame, originally uploaded by Appalachian Encounters.

Via Flickr:
Snow, ice, frost completely covered trees and everything else on my hike up the Elk Knob Trail.

March 2, 2013 and the entire trail was covered in snow; almost every branch in frost or ice. There was just enough snow for me to snowshoe all the way to the summit.
It was an fantastic hike. no one else out there.

Bees on Flowers 2, originally uploaded by Appalachian Encounters.

Via Flickr:
I have no idea what this plant/weed is, but while hiking the Elk Knob Summit Trail (again, I love this trail) it was completely lined with them, all the way to the top. I noticed a few different varieties of bees and bugs on the plants along the way, so no exclusivity here. They have an awesome bloom and new ones come from what looks like a pink and green cocoon (bottom left of this shot).

I thought I would take some time and explore a new appearance for my blog; something to pop the images a bit more and give them some more real estate. So, I think I’ve found something I like but I’ll be playing with it for a while to see if it stays. 

I welcome any comment or input, as well as any theme recommendations.

Thanks!

Joe

I’ve tried lately to find subjects a bit out of the ordinary and away from the landscapes I prefer to look for, and to just get back into taking photographs! So here’s a very unlikely bush/plant growing in the middle of the bushes near my deck. I had never noticed it before, but suddenly, there it was; red and purple amongst the green.

I went on a fantastic overnight on the AT in May. Started at Carver’s Gap and hiked north to 19E. We had a great first day and the 2nd day was quite rich with weather to say the least. Coming towards this landscape was driving sideways rain and high wind. BUT! we were were rewarded with a break in our upward approach to Little Hump & Big Hump…this beautiful scene.

Cliff Views 3, originally uploaded by Appalachian Encounters.

An awesome day hike this past fall led us to Three Top Mtn out the outskirts of Boone and this incredible landscape. Views from all sides, with this one NE toward Va.

Via Flickr:
From atop Beacon Heights along the Blue Ridge Parkway, sunrise hits the massive granite face. Snow filled most of the cracks and scars, and wind above 40mph shook the trees and froze my fingers. It was amazingly clear and not long after the sun rose, a little farther to the southeast, the Charlotte skyline could be seen, 90 miles away.

A great early fall hike revealed more color than I thought we would encounter.