 |
| Mississippi Kite grasps insect prey |
Moving north through Alabama, we knew there wasn't much time to see the Mississippi Kite that we desired to find. Driving through Uriah, we saw 13 birds hawking for insects above the road. We were able to find a place to safely pull off and get some photos. Success!!
We then drove through a corner of Georgia into North Carolina to pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stayed at Moonshine Creek Campground before starting our adventure. This campground is beautiful and full of birds flowers and many critters worth a photo.
 |
| Moonshine Creek Campground near the Great Smoky NP |
 |
| Mockernut Hickory blossom |
 |
| Water Strider - walks on water surface |
 |
| Bull Frog Tadpole - 3 inches long |
 |
| Sphinx Moth |
 |
| Dobsonfly |
 |
| White Dogwood |
 |
| Eastern Newt adult - aquatic dwelling |
 |
| Red Trillium |
 |
| Carpenter Moths - smaller darker male |
 |
| Blue-headed Vireo on nest |
 |
| Dusky Salamander |
 |
| Rhododendron in bloom |
The Blue Ridge Parkway is wonderful, a slow ride through the Appalachian Mountains, none stop, with lots of great things to see along the way.
 |
| Carolina Chickadee |
 |
| Pisgah National Forest |
 |
| Painted Trillium |
 |
| Slimy Salamander |
 |
| Snail at Linville Falls |
 |
| Ruffed Grouse runs in front of us |
 |
| Cucumber Tree |
We stayed at one of the National campgrounds near Linville Falls, a quiet, break along the way.
The next night we spent just across the Virginia border at Meadow of Dan. Very quiet here as we were the only campers in the park.
 |
| Honey Bee swarm at Meadows of Dan |
 |
| Miami Mist |
For the next 6 days we visited friends, Art & Betsy Cavanaugh near Lynchburg, VA. An enjoyable time, and Ty was able to help with some Spring planting and yard work.
 |
| Eyed Click Beetle |
 |
| Wood Duck hen with ducklings |
 |
| Rhododendron |
 |
| Five inch long Millipede |
 |
| Ground Beetle |
 |
| Baltimore Oriole at Paradise Lake |
Before rejoining the Blue Ridge Parkway north to the Shenandoah National Park, we stopped at Paradise Lake Campground to take care of RV duties that are necessary to do. Then some stocking up of food and fuel before heading out.
 |
| Tufted Titmouse checks out the camera |
 |
| American Redstart |
 |
| Pink Azalea - Rhododendron |
 |
| Black & White Warbler |
 |
| Eastern Newt - Red Eft terrestrial dwelling |
 |
| Red/Purple Trillium |
 |
| Black Bear at Shenandoah National Park |
As we head north, we are experiencing Spring all over again, each leg of the journey. Always looking for evidence of God's Creation at every turn, as we head through Pennslyvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and into Canada.
We are blessed to be starting our eighth year on the road.
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann
