Six of us had an intoxicating time on yesterday's Jay Walk
(Barflies of the Smokies) on the Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald
(technically NC, I realize). Though we didn't see or hear any of our target
flycatchers
(no big surprise), and opted not to drink beer (kidding), the hike was one of
the most memorable to date. Credit for that not only goes to Mother Nature, but
to the participants of the walk as well. Everyone was so full of excitement and
curiosity! It made for a really enjoyable experience, and allowed me to reach a
higher level of potential as a naturalist and field trip leader!
A few highlights:
Great views of the Milky Way as Jimmy Tucker and I drove up
to Clingmans Dome (we got to the Smokies extra early to listen for Saw-whet
Owls and to catch the sunrise).
Finding salamanders along the trail, including a Jordan's
(Red-cheeked) and Blue Ridge Spring Salamander, the later of which was found by
Jimmy as it meandered across the trail!
Purple-fringed Orchids (the closer I looked the more
gorgeous they got, eventually leading to a search and rescue mission to find my
eyes after they popped out of my head and rolled down the mountain).
A few Flame Azaleas still in bloom on Andrews Bald.
The view of the surrounding mountains from Andrews Bald.
The BIRDS: A Chestnut-sided Warbler, singing emphatically
atop a beautiful spruce set against a background of rolling white clouds and
long stretches of bright blue sky. Winter Wrens singing in the cool, damp
darkness of the spruce-fir forest, right near the trail! (We stopped, of
course, to soak it all in.) Loads of Dark-eyed Juncos, Golden-crowned Kinglets,
Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, a few Veerys, some
Black-throated Blue Warblers, a Brown Creeper, and lots more, including a
Common Raven and two Hermit Thrushes along Clingmans Dome Road on our way to
the trailhead (others in the group saw a Black Bear and her cubs).
Aside from the overall experience, my favorite aspect of the
morning was getting to hear ALL THREE of my favorite birds singing their hearts
out (Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, and Brown Creeper). Nice!
Here's our checklist from the hike:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23999012
Posted by Jay Sturner
KTOS Field Trip Coordinator
Knoxville, TN
Knox Co.
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