Hiking Hacks

Foggy views down a black rocky knob in North Carolina.

There is nothing more exciting to me than heading out on the trails as a new day begins.  The possibilities of wildlife encounters, beautiful views, and that adventurous feeling when exploring the wilds of a new landscape inspire me to no end!  In that same breath, there are those challenging moments that are almost promised […]

Hyperphagia: The Feasting Season

Most of us have heard the phrase “hungry as a bear”, but this phrase really resonates with me each fall as I observe and photograph the American black bear furiously foraging through the landscape. The biological need for bears to increase their caloric intake exponentially in time for winter is called hyperphagia.  I have witnessed […]

A Misty Hike within the Great Balsam Mountains

Smoky ridges in the mountains of Western North Carolina

Solo hiking through the Great Balsam Mountains was as beautiful and challenging as it was misty.  While hiking several miles on the Art Loeb trail towards the Black Balsam Knob summit, I stood in awe of the beautifully sloped forests filled with balsam fir trees that merged with grassy, wildflower-covered landscapes.  Once on the ridge […]

Where are Bears in North Carolina?

Throughout North Carolina, from the mountains to the sea, the American black bear population continues to grow. These highly intelligent animals captivate the imagination of the public who may encounter them in the mountains, on trails, near campgrounds, in the forest and through swamps and marsh. One of my favorite ways to learn about these […]

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