Thursday, January 5, 2017

Winter 2016-17 Wetness In The High Knob Massif


January 3, 2017
Powell River Basin of High Knob Massif
Wild Whitewater In South Fork Gorge
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved


January 3, 2017
Boulder Garden In High Knob Massif
Wild Whitewater In South Fork Gorge
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

On this day the level was down, relative to recent weeks, and rocks  
along the water were covered by a slick-as-ice fungal & moss-like film.

Following up to 12.00"+ of total precipitation during December 2016 across the head of Big Cherry Lake Basin, the South Fork of Powell has been roaring 
out of the high country.

January 3, 2017
Bottom About To Drop Out
Wild Whitewater In South Fork Gorge
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Dropping 1433 vertical feet in 4 miles, downstream of Big Cherry Lake Dam, the bottom frequently drops out of this whitewater gem.

January 3, 2017
Upper Tennessee River Basin
Majestic Whitewater In South Fork Gorge
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 3, 2017
South Fork Gorge of High Knob Massif
Boulder Garden Near Big Stone Gap WP
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 3, 2017
Remnant Massif of High Knob Landform
Big Boulder Garden In South Fork Gorge
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 3, 2017
Remnant Massif of High Knob Landform
Majestic Whitewater In South Fork Gorge
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 11, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Life From The Tree Tops - Blown Out By Wind
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Strong winds have blown out numerous tree limbs in recent days, with many containing an array of life forms from up in the tree tops!  An excellent chance to show that trees support an untold number of organisms from bottom to top, in all different forms.  Amazing! 

January 11, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Life From The Tree Tops - Blown Out By Wind
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 14, 2017
High Knob Massif of Cumberland Mountains
Wetland Valleys Within Big Cherry Lake Basin
Hemlock Varnish Polypore ( Ganoderma tsugae )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 14, 2017
Wetland Valleys of Big Cherry Lake Basin
Haircap Moss ( Polytrichum commune ) And Others
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 14, 2017
South Fork of Powell River Basin
A Cup Fungus In Big Cherry Wetland Valleys
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 14, 2017
Wetland Valleys of Big Cherry Lake Basin
Remains Of Regurgitated Raptor Pellet
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 14, 2017
Remnant Massif of High Knob Landform
Polypores On Log In Big Cherry Wetland Valleys
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 16, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Mosses On An Old Tree Stump
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 16, 2017
Cold Air Drainage of Cumberland Mountains
Majestic Polypores On A Decayed Cherry Birch
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 20, 2017
Powell Valley Overlook
Maple Trying To Bud Near The Lonesome Pine?
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 20, 2017
Along U.S. 23 In Wise County, VA
Sunset From Powell Valley Overlook
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 20, 2017
Along U.S. 23 In Wise County, VA
Sunset From Powell Valley Overlook
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 20, 2017
Along U.S. 23 In Wise County, VA
Sunset From Powell Valley Overlook
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 22, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Eastern Newt ( Notophthalmus viridescens )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 22, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Eastern Newt ( Notophthalmus viridescens )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 22, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Striped Wintergreen ( Chimaphila maculata )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 22, 2017
Majestic Polypores In Cumbeland Mountains
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 22, 2017
Majestic Polypores In Cumberland Mountains
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 22, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Large Mushroom On Dead Tree Snag
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 25, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Golden Ragwort ( Packera aurea ) - Mosses 
And Fungi During A Mild Mid-Winter Period
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 25, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
A Fruticose Lichen Species
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 25, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Polypores On American Beech ( Fagus grandifolia )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 26, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Front Of Fungus - Around 1.7 cm Diameter
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 26, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Back Of Fungus - Around 1.7 cm Diameter
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Late Winter 2016-17
Tiny Larvae Inside Small Fungus
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 29, 2017
Winter Snow Showers Begin In Cumberlands
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 29, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Snow Crystals Falling On Top Of Accumulation
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

January 29, 2017
Cumberland Mountains
Dendritic Perfection By Mother Nature
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved