Flowers and branches make a natural decorative arrangement in the Roan Mountain forest
Colorful Artwork of Nature
Category Archives: North Carolina
A Bright Spot in the Forest
A white flower offers a bright contrast to the surrounding greenery at Roan Mountain
Wild Flowers at Roan Mountain
Wild flowers are prevalent all around the Roan Mountain area in North Carolina
Moss on the Forest Floor
Filtered light through the trees highlights moss on the forest floor at Roan Mountain
Anchoring a Landscape Image
An artistically formed rock sculpture creates a natural anchor for a landscape image at Roan Mountain Bald
Natural Object Placements in a Landscape Composition
Nature adds elements, a bush and rock, for a landscape composition at Roan Mountain Bald
On Top of Roan Mountain Bald
A dog and owner experience the beauty of mountains and clouds at Roan Mountain Bald
Solitude in the Mountains
Enjoying in solitude the serenity and peace on top at Roan Mountain Bald
Enjoying the Mountains
After a hike up to Roan Mountain Bald people take time to enjoy the mountain ranges. The group on the right is getting a balloon ready for launching it in the sky.
A Smidgen of Color in the Mountains
Roan Mountain features a collection of rare plant life, including some of the most beautiful wildflowers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. During our visit we saw only a smidgen of wildflowers, but rhododendrons and flame azaleas were blooming (as posted previously).
Colors at Roan Mountain Bald
Every year around the middle of June, the grassy balds of Roan Mountain and Grassy Ridge come alive with vibrant blooms of Flame Azaleas.
Hiking Up Roan Mountain Bald
Located on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line, Roan Mountain is actually more of a mountain range about 5 miles long – called a massif – than it is a single peak. Famous for its Catawba Rhododendron gardens with its brilliant purple flowers in spring. Grassy Ridge, along the eastern flank of Roan Mountain, is the longest stretch of grassy bald in the Appalachian Mountains. These treeless mountaintops offer spectacular views, fields of grass waving in the winds, and an alpine-like hiking experience. Will post images from this vista over the next few days.
Butterfly Landing
A swallowtail butterfly lands on a rhododendron flower to taste the nectar at Roan Mountain Rhododendron Gardens, North Carolina
Backlighting a Rhododendron Flower
The sun provides ample illumination to backlight a Rhododendron flower at Roan Mountain Rhododendron Gardens in North Carolina
Attracting a Fly
A fly gets closer to the Rhododendron flower to sample the nectar
Blossoming Rhododendrons
From just blossoming to fully grown rhododendron flowers at Roan Mountain Rhododendron Gardens, North Carolina
Colorful Rhododendron Buds
The texture and colors of the rhododendron buds at Roan Mountain Rhododendron Gardens, North Carolina
Roan Mountain Rhododendron Gardens
From man-made bridges to nature – images of flowers and landscapes from a June visit to the Roan Mountain area.
Roan Mountain is famous for its spectacular natural gardens of Catawba rhododendron. The peak bloom time for the sea of purple-magenta is usually mid June, plus or minus a week depending on weather. The area is located on the North Carolina / Tennessee state line – the Pisgah National Forest in NC and Cherokee National Forest in TN.
Mannon C. Gore Bridge – Sunset Beach
The Mannon C. Gore Bridge, Sunset Beach, North Carolina is the only bridge that connects the main land to the island. This bridge replaced the pontoon swing bridge that was in place from 1958-2010.
Linn Cove Viaduct
The Linn Cove Viaduct hugs the face of Grandfather Mountain and is recognized internationally as an engineering marvel. It is a 1,243 feet long, concrete segmental bridge which snakes around Grandfather Mountain in western North Carolina.
