Saturday, October 31, 2015

Beauty Along Pine Mountain ( Post-Peak 2015 )


October 30, 2015
Highest Point In Dickenson County, Virginia
Looking At Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Observe that the metal Lookout Viewing Deck,
high atop Birch Knob, is visible on the peak.

The High Knob Landform

The High Knob Landform WebCite Permalink

The Appalachian Climate Center

I would like to thank the Childress & Stone families for allowing me to photograph from this beautiful mountain farm nestled amid the base of majestic Pine Mountain in northern Dickenson County.
Beauty Along Pine Mountain
Pound River Watershed of Dickenson County

The peak of autumn color has passed following strong wind and rain; however, there is still plenty of beauty to be found.  I spent a few hours shooting near the Adam Childress home place in northern Dickenson County late on October 29 and observed a beautiful array of changing sky conditions amid this always picturesque place.

October 29, 2015
Along Scenic State Route 611
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Along Scenic State Route 611
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Along Scenic State Route 611
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

This beautiful area is just north of Pound River, along scenic State Route 611, and is part of the same watershed holding North Fork of Pound Lake, John W. Flannagan Reservoir and rugged Breaks Interstate Park.

October 29, 2015
Upper Big Sandy River Basin
Pound River of Russell Fork Watershed
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Gusty Wind Filled The Air With Leaves
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Although the day was dominated by clouds, some intervals of blue skies and sunshine were observed along with strong gusts of winds that would occasionally fill the air with swirling leaves.

October 29, 2015
Along Scenic State Route 611
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
A Little Sunshine Before Sunset
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Development of Sunset
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Development of Sunset
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Development of Sunset
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Development of Sunset
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 29, 2015
Development of Sunset
Pastures Below Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved




October 30, 2015 Photographs
Beauty Along Pine Mountain
Pound River Watershed of Dickenson County

October 30, 2015
Pound River Watershed
Cliff On Lower Georges Fork Creek
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015
Near Confluence With Pound River
Reflections On Lower Georges Fork Creek
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015
Near Former Low-Water Bridge
Water Reflections On Pound River
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

I am always looking for water reflections when 
I am out, and captured some very nice ones near the Pound River & Georges Fork Creek confluence.

October 30, 2015
Near Confluence With Georges Fork Creek
Beautiful Water Reflections On Pound River
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015
Pound River-Georges Fork Creek Confluence
Sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis ) Along With
Canadian Hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ) And
American Beech ( Fagus grandifolia ) & Others
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015
Near Pine Mountain
Brilliant Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Despite frosts, freezes, rain and wind 
there remain a few hold out beauties.

October 30, 2015
Near Pine Mountain
Brilliant Sugar Maple Acer saccharum )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015
Adam Childress Farm & Homestead
Shooting By Maples To See Birch Knob
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015
From Adam Childress Farm
Rugged Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015 at 3:46 PM
Between Airplane Rock & Birch Knob
Looking Toward Birch Gap of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015
From Adam Childress Farm
Rugged Birch Knob of Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015 at 4:40 PM
Majestic Pastures & Pond Below Birch Knob
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015 at 4:30 PM
Looking Upward Toward Airplane Rock
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015 at 3:13 PM
Beauty Along Pine Mountain
Airplane Rock To Right of Classic Peak
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015 at 3:39 PM
Looking SW Along Pine Mountain
Adam Childress Cemetery & Homestead Farm
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 30, 2015
Late Afternoon Light
Along Scenic State Route 611 & Pine Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved



This section is under construction.  Please check back.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

More Beauty Scenes From Autumn 2015

October 17, 2015
Stone-Pickem Mountain
Autumn Beauty of High Knob Massif
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

The High Knob Landform

The High Knob Landform WebCite Permalink

The Appalachian Climate Center

There is still an abundance of beautiful color in the High Knob Massif, with brighter color developing at lower elevations as highest elevations past peak 
( along & mostly above the crestline visible above ).

The best color since October 17 has developed downward from Flag Rock into lower-middle elevations ( which have peaked ) as upper elevations are past peak.

A major leaf fall is expected during the October 27-30 period at all elevations with strong winds & heavy rain to colder air.

Strong and gusty winds behind a couple of 
cold frontal passages during the past week are beginning to take a toll on trees, especially at elevations above 3000 to 3500 feet.

October 17, 2015
Stone-Pickem Mountain of High Knob Massif
Beautiful October Skies & Chilly Conditions
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 17, 2015
View From Flag Rock Recreation Area
The Flume-like Gorge of Benges Branch
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 17, 2015
Stone-Pickem Mountain
Autumn Beauty of High Knob Massif
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Many of the gorgeous maroon-purple White Ash 
( Fraxinus americana ) trees are now fading at the Upper Norton Reservoir, with the outstanding Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum ) seen along the lake edge in October 11 photos now mostly bare 
of leaves ( as examples of recent changes ).

October 17, 2015
Water Elevation 3318 feet
Autumn Color at Upper Norton Reservoir
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Although still beautiful, of course, and at what many might call "peak," the most vivid color and water reflections in just my opinion were actually observed last week ( even as a few stubborn oaks continue to sport mostly green ).

Reference this section for a review:
Spectacular Color-Water Reflections of October 11

October 17, 2015
Water Reflections Amid Break In Wind
Autumn Color at Upper Norton Reservoir
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Cold temperatures with readings in the mid-upper 20s during the morning hours of October 17, and even colder 
into the AM of October 18, will also work to dull color in 
high valleys, coves, and basins of these upper elevations.

On the other hand, by contrast, a quiet weather pattern 
and lack of rain will help prolong this color season as peak develops over time across lower-middle elevations of the 
area through this next week.

October 17, 2015
Upper Tennessee River Basin
Autumn Beauty at Upper Norton Reservoir
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved







October 17, 2015
Upper Norton Reservoir of High Knob Massif
A Variety Of Different Tree Species Leaves
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

With the above noted, all the big and little "boogers" looking for The Woodbooger will continue to have plenty of nice trees to admire 
( as illustrated in following photographs ).

October 17, 2015
Benges Basin of High Knob Massif
Autumn Beauty at Upper Norton Reservoir
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 17, 2015
Rugged Terrain In Lower Part of Benges Basin
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 17, 2015
Northern Slopes of High Knob Massif
Autumn Beauty In Flag Rock Recreation Area
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 17, 2015
City of Norton Park
Northern Slopes of High Knob Massif
Autumn Beauty In Flag Rock Recreation Area
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 17, 2015
City of Norton Park
Northern Slopes of High Knob Massif
Autumn Beauty In Flag Rock Recreation Area
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 17, 2015
City of Norton Park
Northern Slopes of High Knob Massif
Autumn Beauty In Flag Rock Recreation Area
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 17, 2015
City of Norton Park
Northern Slopes of High Knob Massif
Autumn Beauty In Flag Rock Recreation Area
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

As lower slopes of Pickem Mountain continue to explode with color in coming days the residents of Norton will be treated to an awesome show ( the color working downward from the high country ).

October 17, 2015
View From The City of Norton
Looking Up At Pickem Mountain From U.S. 23
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

In some autumns the entire mountain slope and massif can peak at nearly the same time.  This year cold nights in the high country during September got color going early in upper elevations.  While this is going to make for a long color season, it will not allow a top to bottom peak
( as the top is now passing peak conditions with numerous bare trees ).

October 17, 2015
University of Virginia's College At Wise
The Beautiful Autumn Campus of UVA-Wise
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved





North Fork of Pound Lake
Color Peaks In Lower Elevations

October 22, 2015
Full Pool Water Elevation of 1644 feet
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Ideal weather conditions graced northern Wise County to make for perfect shooting conditions as 
I arrived at beautiful North Fork of Pound Lake to capture the autumn peak in lower elevations.

October 22, 2015
Upper Ohio River Basin
Northern Part of Wise County, Virginia
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Upper Ohio River Basin
Northern Part of Wise County, Virginia
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

When colors reach peak, at least in your eyes, there is simply no doubt.  It just feels right, as I felt back on October 11 when shooting at the Upper Norton Reservoir ( despite some green, colors were vivid and the lake filled with mirror-like reflections ).

Spectacular Autumn Color 2015 In High Knob Massif

October 22, 2015
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Reservoir
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Reservoir
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Reservoir
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Moon Rise Above The Mountain Horizon
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Clear Reflection of Spillway Tower
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Clear Reflection of Spillway Tower
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Reflection of Autumn Colors
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Reflection of Autumn Colors
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Reflection of Autumn Colors
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Looking Down Toward Lake
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Approaching Sunset From Upper Overlook
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Approaching Sunset From Upper Overlook
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

These photographs are in the time sequence in which I took them, having to leave my shutter open longer and longer to capture enough light for proper exposure.

October 22, 2015
Approaching Sunset From Upper Overlook
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Approaching Sunset From Upper Overlook
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Approaching Sunset From Upper Overlook
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Approaching Sunset From Upper Overlook
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Approaching Sunset From Upper Overlook
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 22, 2015
Approaching Sunset From Upper Overlook
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved


October 22, 2015
Final Post-Sunset Light
Autumn Majesty at North Fork of Pound Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 23, 2015
Cold Air Drainage In Dickenson County
Beauty of American Beech ( Fagus grandifolia )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 23, 2015
Cold Air Drainage In Dickenson County
Beauty of American Beech ( Fagus grandifolia )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved




Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
Upper Tennessee River Basin
South Fork of Holston Watershed

Taken Through Windshield at 60 MPH
Morning Sunrise on October 24, 2015
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

An early morning trip to Smyth County, Va., 
to visit the Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center, by 
the High Knob Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist class, featured a gorgeous sunrise!

Observe Color Change In 4 Minutes
Taken Through Windshield at 60 MPH
Morning Sunrise on October 24, 2015
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 24, 2015
Pond Mountain Area of Great Valley
From Valley of Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 24, 2015
Pond Mountain Area of Great Valley
From Valley of Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 24, 2015
Pond Mountain Area of Great Valley
From Valley of Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 24, 2015
Pond Mountain Area of Great Valley
From Valley of Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Biologists at the Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center work with aquatic species in the Clinch, Powell, and Holston river watersheds of the 
Upper Tennessee River Basin.

October 24, 2015
Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 24, 2015
Endangered Rough-rabbitsfoot 
( Quadrula cylindrica strigillata )
and Eastern Pondmussel ( Ligumia nasuta )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Photographs taken through aquarium glass
are not very good but illustrate a few species.

October 24, 2015
Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 24, 2015
Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
Hellbender Salamander
( Cryptobranchus alleganiensis )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 24, 2015
Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
 Redline Darter ( Etheostoma rufilineatus )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 24, 2015
Buller Aquatic Wildlife Center
 Redline Darter Etheostoma rufilineatus )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved


Late October Beauty

Beautiful color lingers across lower-middle elevations prior to wind driven rains expected 
to develop during the October 27-28 period.

October 26, 2015
Head of Indian Creek
Beautiful Maples - U.S. 23 on Wise Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

October 26, 2015
Head of Indian Creek
Beautiful Maples - U.S. 23 on Wise Mountain
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Even taken from my car, lower slopes of Pickem Mountain in the City of Norton held outstanding colors amid the northern base of the sprawling 
High Knob Massif ( upper elevations now having many bare trees and generally past peak color ).

October 26, 2015
Northern Base of High Knob Massif
Majestic Pickem Mountain In City of Norton
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved