Monday, June 4, 2018

Early Summer 2018 In High Knob Massif


June 2, 2018
High Knob Massif
Elevation 4100 Feet Along Route 238
Majestic Sun Rays Following A Thunderstorm
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Near saturated air being blown by gusty winds through the high gap between the peaks of High Knob and Eagle Knob was illuminated by late afternoon sun rays, in wake of thunderstorms, 
to welcome Summer 2018 in the high country.

*June-August marks the Meteorological Summer Season

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June 2, 2018
Water Elevation 3520 Feet
Majestic Light At High Knob Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Neotropical migrants have arrived for the breeding season, with the forests full of wondrous bird songs to include a Swainson's Warbler ( Limnothlypis swainsonii )  which I have recently found in the drainage of Robinette Branch.

*This is the first time I have observed Swainson's Warbler in this drainage, with nearby Roaring Branch and portions of the Little Stony Creek watershed having Swainson's documented during 2017 Breeding Bird surveys.

June 2, 2018
Elevation 2380 Feet
Legion Park In City of Norton
Whitewater Rolls On Robinette Branch
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Least Flycatchers ( Empidonax minimus ) have now expanded their range downward from the highest ridges into mesic, northern exposed 
basins at High Knob Lake and the dual Norton Reservoirs.  Another significant observation.

June 2, 2018
Elevation 3523 Feet
High Knob Lake Recreation Area
High Elevation Wetland At High Knob Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Eagle Knob – May 2018
Elevation 1277 Meters ( 4188 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 68.8 degrees
Average Daily Minimum: 55.7 degrees
MEAN: 62.2 degrees
Highest Temperature: 76 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 37 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station
National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor
( Data Period: November 12, 2016 to Present )

Canada Warblers ( Cardellina canadensis ) were especially active around the wetland at High Knob Lake on June 2, as a late afternoon thunderstorm developed.

High Knob Lake – May 2018
Elevation 1074 Meters ( 3523 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 70.5 degrees
Average Daily Minimum: 52.6 degrees
MEAN: 61.6 degrees
Highest Temperature: 78 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 28 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station
National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor
( Data Period: November 19, 2016 to Present )


May was unseasonably warm in the high country, with coolest nights occurring within high valleys of Big Cherry Lake Basin which I highlight below.

June 2, 2018
Elevation 3523 Feet
High Knob Lake Recreation Area
High Elevation Wetland At High Knob Lake
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 4, 2018
Water Elevation 3318 Feet
Gorgeous Conditions Behind A Cold Front
Upper Norton Reservoir of High Knob Massif
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 4, 2018
Water Elevation 3318 Feet
Gorgeous Conditions Behind A Cold Front
Upper Norton Reservoir of High Knob Massif
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 4, 2018
Upper Norton Reservoir
Fraser Magnolia ( Magnolia fraseri )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 4, 2018
Water Elevation 3230 Feet
Lower Norton Reservoir of High Knob Massif
Majestic Summer Day In The High Country
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 7, 2018
High Knob Massif
Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valleys
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Big Cherry Valley 2 – May 2018
Elevation 988 Meters ( 3240 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 71.9 degrees
Average Daily Minimum: 51.9 degrees
MEAN: 61.9 degrees
Highest Temperature: 80 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 28 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station
National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor
( Data Period: September 11, 2016 to Present )

June 7, 2018
High Knob Massif
Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valleys
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Big Cherry Valley 4 – May 2018
Elevation 971 Meters ( 3186 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 74.1 degrees
Average Daily Minimum: 49.1 degrees
MEAN: 61.6 degrees
Highest Temperature: 80 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 25 degrees

June 7, 2018
High Knob Massif
Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valleys
Mountain Laurel ( Kalmia latifolia )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 7, 2018
High Knob Massif
Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valleys
Interrupted Ferns ( Osmunda claytoniana )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 9, 2018
Elevation 3200 Feet
Prior To A Booming Thunderstorm
View From Flag Rock Recreation Area
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 9, 2018
Thunderstorms In The Distance
View From Flag Rock Recreation Area
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 9, 2018
City of Norton - Viewed From Flag Rock RA
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 9, 2018
Developing Afternoon Thunderstorms
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 11, 2018
Day Lily ( Hemerocallis spp. )
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 15, 2018
View From Bear Rock Heath Barren
Little Stony Creek Gorge of High Knob Massif
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 15, 2018
View From Bear Rock Heath Barren
Little Stony Creek Gorge of High Knob Massif
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

Eagle Knob – June 1-19 2018
Elevation 1277 Meters ( 4188 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 69.3 degrees
Average Daily Minimum: 58.5 degrees
MEAN: 63.9 degrees
Highest Temperature: 75 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 51 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station
National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor
( Data Period: November 12, 2016 to Present )

June 20, 2018
Beautiful Skies Above The Mountains
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 20, 2018
Towering Cumulus Prior To Sunset
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 20, 2018
Approaching Sunset Along The Cumberlands
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 20, 2018
Majestic Skies Approaching Sunset
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved

June 20, 2018
Majestic Light Rays Near Sunset
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved