Outdoors
The Joyful Botanist: Here grow pinkshells, far from the seashore
If you are driving or walking in the woods in the higher elevations of Western North Carolina at this time of year, you may be treated to the most beautiful explosion of deeply pink azalea flowers blooming in profusion all throughout the woods. And it’s not just any old azalea, but it’s a special and rare species that are often be taken for granted.
A whole lot of heart: WCU softball bat boy defies odds, cheers on Catamounts
Drake Barlow walks up to home plate with the most swagger out of anyone on game days. He sports a sick pair of shades, some Catamount gear and a toothy grin that coaches across the Southern Conference have come to know.
Word from the Smokies: ‘Wildflowering’ with long-time enthusiast Tom Harrington
It’s wildflower season in the Great Smoky Mountains, and beneath the long morning shadows at Chestnut Tops Trail near Townsend, Tennessee, Tom Harrington is in his element. We’ve barely reached the trailhead sign before Harrington, a hiking and “wildflowering” aficionado and park volunteer of 25 years, pauses to point out the colonies of purple flowers painting the path — purple phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatifida), a native wildflower whose nectar is said to make some of the best honey around.
The Joyful Botanist: Robin’s Plantain
Among the earliest flowering members of the Aster Family (Asteraceae) is the robin’s plantain (Erigeron pulchellus). Around Cullowhee, the robin’s plantain begins blooming in early April at lower elevations and can be seen blooming at higher elevations into June.
The Joyful Botanist: Up Moses Creek
I really enjoy and am honored by the fact that I share this column space with Burt Kornegay who writes the fun and informative column. I like sharing this space because I enjoy reading his writing, and because he is a friend and a big influence on me and my work leading plant walks.
The Joyful Botanist: Something Spicy
Many of the first signs of springtime are subtle. There are little shifts in the breeze as the sun begins to feel a bit warmer and remains in the sky a little bit longer each day. Birdsong increases morning and evening, and other flying beings begin buzzing around looking to forage some pollen and nectar.
Wildfire season is here. Helene and DOGE could make it worse.
Limited resources and tricky topography already pose challenges. Now those problems have been exacerbated.
When Chris and Sara Evensen bought their home off Elk Mountain Scenic Highway in 2018, they felt like they’d hit the natural beauty jackpot: a nice home on two acres, ensconced in a gorgeous hardwood forest.
Troxler encourages horse owners to vaccinate against mosquito-borne diseases and rabies
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging equine owners to have their animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus.
Haywood County offers warning amid tick season
Spring and summer mean more time outdoors, but they also mean tick season. Ticks can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease, so take these steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. Haywood County Environmental Health offers these simple tips:
• Dress Smart:
Wear long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes. Tuck pants into socks to keep ticks from crawling up your legs.
• Use Repellent:
Apply EPA-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or permethrin (on clothing only).
• Stay on Trails:
Avoid tall grass, brush and wooded areas where ticks thrive. Stick to the center of hiking trails.
• Check Yourself and Pets:
After being outdoors, do a full-body tick check. Don’t forget behind the knees, underarms and scalp. Check pets, too.
• Shower Soon:
Showering within two hours of coming inside can help remove ticks and reduce your risk of infection.
• Remove Ticks Promptly:
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward steadily. Clean the bite area with alcohol or soap and water.
• Stay safe, stay vigilant and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
For more information, visit cdc.gov/ticks.
