Author: Mike Dunn
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When the North Wind Blows
I went camping last weekend with some friends at Pettigrew State Park and the weather decided to change dramatically during our stay. Saturday was relatively warm and overcast and we just missed the last of the rain when we arrived at the park around noon. Everything was slightly wet as we set up camp, and Read more…
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Tuft Times
Earlier this week I pulled a piece of wood out from under the deck and as I did, I apparently disturbed something that had been attached to the side of one of the boards. It was a cocoon of some sort, but it had a distinctive pupa that had been exposed by my actions. Before Read more…
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A Heap of Hawks
I have seen a bounty of hawks the past few days here in the woods. I got close to a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting out on a snag in the meadow the other day as I was carrying some firewood in the wheelbarrow. The next day, a Cooper’s Hawk blew by me on the deck as Read more…
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Eye Wonder
One of the joys of heating with a wood stove is cutting and splitting wood. There is something satisfying about the pile of logs ready for the fire after a couple of hours of work in the cold, crisp air. But often, I find some interesting stowaways in my firewood. Such was the case this Read more…
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Vines Bearing Grapes
As I mentioned in my last post, I had to leave Cades Cove about noon, and was wondering if my bear mojo was failing me and I would be skunked for bears on this trip (you may recall I am a big fan of bears and enjoy observing them). But, a couple of miles outside Read more…
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Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a 6800 acre valley on the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is probably the most visited area of the park and the Smokies are the most visited national park in the United States with more than 9 million visitors each year (Grand Canyon is second with about 4 Read more…
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The Dance
I love the music of autumn….the tapping of woodpeckers in search of a meal, the rustle of leaves as a squirrel dashes to the safety of a tree, and the crackle of a fire getting started in the wood stove. Along with the music, comes the dance of the season – the shimmer from the Read more…
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No Question About It, It’s Just Chillin’
Sunday afternoon I noticed something as it went to an oak limb over the driveway. I walked over to get a closer look and saw this… You see it, don’t you? Look closely:) Okay, if you did see it, you are good, because it resembles one of the brown leaves on the oak branch. I Read more…
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Night Lights
On Saturday night a couple of friends and I went on an impromptu night hike down the road to see what we might see (plus to help work off a large meal). It was fairly warm for early November but there was not a lot of activity other than a distant Barred Owl calling and Read more…
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Macro Mystery #1 Answer
So, here is the answer to the Macro Mystery. It was found along the Inspiration Trail at Umstead State Park in Raleigh earlier this week. I was struck by the texture which reminded me of wavy golden hair or fur. It was actually a close-up of the underside of a mushroom cap highlighting the wavy Read more…
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Roads End Naturalist 