tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83310196089373682162024-03-14T04:46:03.919-04:00The High Knob LandformRising in the far southwestern portion of Virginia, and extending partially into extreme southeastern Kentucky and northern Tennessee, is a great landform of immense beauty and natural diversity. This site is about The High Knob Landform.Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comBlogger260125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-1071635771723565822023-12-20T10:44:00.059-05:002024-01-08T15:04:46.705-05:00Christmas Holiday 2023_High Knob MassifHistory Of Christmas HolidaysDuring 1955-2022(68 Years)(Use Back Arrow To Return After Viewing Large Photos) 19 December 2023High Knob MassifMajestic Rime & Snow Cody Blankenbecler Image © All Rights Reserved(Wayne Browning Image Captures)A beautiful array of wind driven snow and gorgeous rime decorated the high country of the High Knob Massif during 18-19 December in 2023.19 Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-36448249590088330292023-05-01T14:00:00.014-04:002023-12-20T10:36:41.359-05:00Spring 2023_High Knob Massif Area 6 May 2023As the mountain landscape comes alive its time for the annual Pine Mountain Naturalist Rally, sponsored by the High Knob Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, where everyone is invited and welcome to enjoy the natural world.29 April 2023Pine Mountain in Wise CountyWetland Near Naturalist RallyWayne Browning_iPhone PhotographMany species of flora and fauna will be Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-88733662239150900262023-01-16T14:40:00.022-05:002023-01-27T20:55:22.179-05:00Early-Mid Winter 2023_High Knob Massif 15 January 2023High Knob MassifLooking at High Knob LookoutCody Blankenbecler Image © All Rights ReservedA beautiful array of rime and snow blanketed the high country as the first widespread snowfall of 2023 finally arrived.A general 3" to 8" of snow fell across the mountain area, with heaviest amounts at upper elevations across the High Knob Massif.This occurred despite the best moisture Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-87756032415415791822022-10-07T16:52:00.030-04:002023-01-16T14:31:50.030-05:00Mid-Autumn Peak 2022_High Knob Massif 05 October 2022High Knob MassifColor Peaking In Upper ElevationsWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedAn array of gorgeous color is developing across upper elevations in the High Knob Massif, above 3000 feet, where this weekend through next week and weekend is expected to offer the best color. An acceleration of color changes is also expected at lower to middle elevationsWayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-10353822189690457882022-09-26T16:47:00.029-04:002022-09-29T02:33:58.085-04:00Early-Mid Autumn 2022_High Knob Massif 23 September 2022Water Elevation 3500 feetHigh Knob Lake Recreation AreaEarly Color Changes in High Knob MassifWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedPockets of developing color were just in time for the 16th Annual High Knob Naturalist Rally, held in person this year on 24 September 2022 within beautiful High Knob Lake Recreation Area of the Jefferson National Forest.The High Knob Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-81291919479924385452022-08-15T00:40:00.054-04:002022-09-02T01:45:04.835-04:00Mid-Late Summer 2022_High Knob Massif12 August 2022Water Elevation 3120 feetBig Cherry Lake of High Knob MassifWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedA beautiful, early Autumn-like day was finally experienced in wake of a long, stormy July and early August. This set the stage for a chilly night as air temperatures dropped well down into the 40s within high valleys upstream of the lake.The High Knob Landform( Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-68224437694520315352022-06-08T02:50:00.008-04:002022-08-15T00:24:04.959-04:00Early Summer 2022_High Knob Massif06 June 2022High Knob MassifLooking Across High Knob Lake BasinWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedBuilding cumulus clouds and increasing haze was a signal that more showers and thunderstorms would be coming to the high country.08 June 2022Afternoon Downpour of Early SummerCrossing High Knob Massif Into WiseUVA-Wise Computer Science-Mathematics Department &Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-64809861881504133252022-04-29T21:00:00.044-04:002022-05-26T13:57:19.479-04:00Late Spring 2022_High Knob MassifPine Mountain Naturalist RallyCome celebrate one of the southern Appalachians most magnificient natural features on 7 May 2022.Pink Lady's-slipper OrchidWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedThe beauty of Pink Lady's-slipper Orchids (Cypripedium acaule) should be on full display, along with many other speciesof flora and fauna.Wild Geranium (Geranium spp.)Wayne Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-13468462959598931022022-04-16T23:47:00.028-04:002022-04-26T03:30:30.097-04:00Mid-Spring 2022_High Knob Massif 14 April 2022Nocturnal Cold Air Pooling AreaBig Cherry Basin of High Knob MassifWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedSpring emergence remained very limited in high valleys of the High Knob Massif as of mid-April 2022, with mean nocturnal temperatures that continued to run below freezing. BlackWayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-61137168505562979352022-03-14T01:33:00.029-04:002022-03-28T17:37:34.799-04:00Early Spring 2022_High Knob Massif 12 March 2022 at 4:02 PMEagle Knob of High Knob MassifCody Blankenbecler Image © All Rights ReservedA rapid accumulation of wind blown snow was observed on 12 March 2022 on the 29th Anniversary of the historic 1993 Superstorm. Black Lives Matter StatementThe High Knob Landform( Large Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-21951857773711063352022-02-26T19:17:00.046-05:002022-03-14T00:45:59.307-04:00February Precipitation_High Knob Massif26 February 2022 at 2:49 PMHigh Country of High Knob MassifLooking West From Eagle Knob Summit Cody Blankenbecler Image © All Rights ReservedDouble digit February precipitation has been observed for the fourth time in five years within the high country of the High Knob Massif. Black Lives Matter Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-8508008008656643032022-02-24T01:37:00.030-05:002022-02-25T21:12:14.064-05:00High Knob As A Self-Organizing SystemThis brief section is devoted to Self-Organization, a concept vital to understanding and dealing with problems facing planet Earth.High Knob As A Self-Organizing System(Written for Earth Day upcoming on 22 April 2022)High Knob is nested within the Climate (Earth) System as an extraordinarily complex system in its own right that is dominated by gradients that keep it continuously in a state Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-8824051080264377322022-02-06T01:27:00.053-05:002022-02-25T01:58:32.275-05:00Late Winter 2022_High Knob Massif Area 5 February 2022Eagle Knob of High Knob MassifFresh Snow And Upper Elevation RimeCody Blankenbecler Image © All Rights ReservedA major storm system opened February 2022 with heavy rainfall that gave way to icing and light snow. This marked the second month out of two this year to open with a major precipitation event.  Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-51470584875289351232022-01-12T23:19:00.080-05:002022-02-01T21:41:31.505-05:00Mid-Winter 2022_High Knob Massif Area 7 January 2022Rime Crystals In Bitter AirEagle Knob of High Knob MassifCody Blankenbecler Image © All Rights ReservedMajestic crystals of rime were blown through bitter air at the summit level of the High Knob Massif in wake of a 6 January 2022 winter storm. Black Lives Matter StatementThe High Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-57953916495872323342021-12-19T23:48:00.172-05:002023-12-20T19:12:50.969-05:00Christmas History In The AppalachiansHistory Of Christmas HolidaysDuring 1955-2022(68 Years)(Use Back Arrow To Return After Viewing Large Photos)Rime Forest of High Knob MassifRime represents frozen clouds of water vapor captured on contact with surface and above ground objects. It is not uncommon for supercooled water to exist to -40 F (-40C) and this is how clouds occur in Arctic conditions.
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<!--wp:Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-81857649626516945892021-11-14T19:44:00.027-05:002022-01-12T23:19:30.179-05:00Late Autumn 2021_High Knob Massif Area 8 November 2021The Towers FormationLate Autumn In Breaks Interstate ParkWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedThe Towers are a dramatic, majestically rugged rock formation in Breaks Interstate Park and have formed in a great meander of the Russell Fork of Big Sandy River. Black Lives Matter Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-92006217187484867472021-10-17T02:37:00.019-04:002021-11-14T19:46:18.726-05:00Mid-Autumn 2021_High Knob Massif 12 October 2021Pickem Mountain of High Knob MassifWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedAutumn colors were at or approaching peak in upper elevations of the High Knob Massif, above 3000 feet, during 12 October.About as many trees were dropping leaves or bare as still remaining green at the summit-level. &Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-65293023652748859332021-09-28T23:57:00.066-04:002022-04-30T20:38:29.323-04:00Early Autumn 2021_High Knob Massif27 September 2021Water Elevation 3318 feetUpper Norton ReservoirWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedAn array of chilly nights, featuring frosty cold conditions in mountain basins of the high country, have stimulated mid-late September color changes in the High Knob Massif.While some trees were already vivid, the majority of those changing color will brighten from what was observed on Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-66872244811265083982021-08-24T01:12:00.123-04:002021-11-26T18:43:24.839-05:00Late Summer 2021_High Mountain Basins22 August 2021Elevation 3040 feetBurkes Garden Mill DamSingle Outlet of Burkes Garden Basin Wayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedBurkes Garden is a classic, idyllic, elliptically-shaped mountain basin possessing a single outlet for water and air flow drainage. It is known for generating some of the coldest night-time temperatures in Virginia. Surprisingly low Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-81969213316004949362021-08-05T20:22:00.023-04:002021-08-18T18:22:36.720-04:00Mid-Late Summer 2021_High Knob Massif 21 July 2021High Knob MassifHigh Knob Lake Recreation AreaWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedSmoke in the air was the main anomaly at mid-July, with upper air winds blowing smoke from western USA and Canadian wildfires into the Appalachians. Summer 2021 has so far featured near average temperatures and below average rainfall. Although it has Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-66051846553848807762021-06-17T00:17:00.016-04:002021-06-17T04:13:38.508-04:00Early Summer 2021_High Knob Massif12 June 2021High Knob MassifMajestic Big Cherry LakeWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedThe only thing missing from this beautiful scene of Big Cherry Lake are Bald Eagles that had just flown along the shoreline! Bald Eagles love places with lots of fish and trees (intact forests).12 June 2021High Knob MassifMajestic Big Cherry LakeWayne Browning Photograph © All Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-13318533379456398772021-05-07T21:10:00.015-04:002021-05-11T03:45:49.143-04:00Late Spring 2021_High Knob Massif 6 May 2021High Knob MassifLooking Across High Knob Lake BasinEarly Spring Conditions (Above 3500 feet)Wayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedThe forest canopy remains wide open within cold air collecting basins (observe basin floor above) and along higher mountain ridges, with generally small, immature leaves on scattered trees down to between 3000 and 3500 feet.At this time ofWayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-73625856664593570152021-03-18T01:33:00.027-04:002021-04-02T17:15:56.014-04:00Early Spring 2021_High Knob Massif4 March 2021High Knob MassifLooking Across High Knob Lake BasinWayne Browning Photograph © All Rights ReservedA pattern shift in late February essentially extirpated snow from the southern Appalachians (reference later photograph), restricting it to locations from central-northern West Virginia northeast along the mountain chain. Observe Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains in Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-22470445179635094962021-02-02T18:32:00.050-05:002021-02-14T22:40:42.028-05:00Late Winter 2021_High Knob Massif02 February 2021 at 3:58 PMEagle Knob of High Knob MassifWind Blown Snow-Rime & Deep Snow Cody Blankenbecler Image © All Rights ReservedA prolonged Miller B type winter storm system produced nearly all precipitation types across far southwestern Virginia, to include snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain. &Wayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331019608937368216.post-10774403864274676162021-01-19T02:01:00.042-05:002021-02-03T02:04:37.667-05:00Mid-Winter 2021_High Knob Massif18 January 2021Eagle Knob of High Knob MassifA Foot Or More Of Mean Snow Depth Cody Blankenbecler Image © All Rights ReservedThe deepest snow depths in the southern-central Appalachians have covered highest elevations in the High Knob Massif during the past couple of weeks, with 6" to 12"+ of snow depth that has now reached a foot or more in the mean.A mean depth of 9" was measuredWayne Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08220118813293056333noreply@blogger.com