Bud Ogle's Dogwoods

Here is a photo of Bud Ogle's house (in the Smokies) and a dogwood beside it that was blooming during the wildflower pilgrimage of 2009. The close up (below) shows a pair of flowers from a tree that was behind me (and just up the small hill) as I faced the tree and cabin.

Dogwood

Dogwoods were just passing their peak bloom when I arrived in the Smokies a week ago yesterday. But I got this photo LAST YEAR during the week of the pilgrimage. It was in Bud Ogle's yard.

Smokies Wildflower Pilgrimage

I am back from the pilgrimage. It will take a few days or weeks for me to get to the photos from this year. But it was lots of fun. I met some new people, including photographers, and lots of folks who love wildflowers as much as I do. Stay tuned!

Yellow Trillium

I have not seen it yet this year, but here is a shot from two years ago, about this time, when I found yellow trillium blooming in the Smokies. If I had time, I would post lots more shots. But I have to wait until I return from the pilgrimage (see post below).

Wildflower Pilgrimage in Gatlinburg, TN

I am heading to Gatlinburg, TN this weekend for the 60th Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage. If you surf on line under "Wildflower Pilgrimage" and "Gatlinburg" you should find it. It's run by the Great Smoky Mountain Association. I will be doing two presentations on Wed, April 21, one on wildflower photography and the other on wildflowers.
Sorry I have neglected my blog this spring. I had high hopes of keeping up to date but some stuff happened with my extended family and I was totally distracted by it. However, I can say this: Lots of stuff is currently blooming, including dutchman's breeches and Virginia blue bell. Bloodroot is probably done. Same with hepatica and snow trillium. I am sure that spring beauty is well underway and will be blooming for another week or two (trailing off) here in eastern Iowa. The Smokies are ahead of eastern Iowa and so spring beauty is probably gone. Wild ginger is up, as are many of the Solomon Seal type flowers and trilliums.

Snow Trillium Flowers

I found this group of snow trilliums in full bloom about a week ago in eastern Iowa. It has been a busy week so I am finally getting around to posting it. This is the first trillium to bloom each year and its white flowers can be found blooming along side hepatica. Not far away, spring beauty was about getting started, but still in the very early stages.