March - July 2022 Featured Photos
Scroll down to view featured photos for March through July 2022.
All photos in this collection are Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden.
STF717 July 17 2022
Eastern Sky
“Early to bed and early to rise…”
I fell asleep around 1am yet awoke just past 5am this Sunday morning. I left home soon after waking to chase a summer sunrise.
This view is from a student housing community called The Heights of Knoxville. Fortunate University of Tennessee students awake daily to similar scenes of the eastern sky.
STF716 July 16 2022
Road Prong Branch
This refreshing scene was near the start of Chimney Tops Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I captured this image from a fallen tree that had been converted into a bridge over Road Prong Branch.
STF715 July 15 2022
Sun Day on Friday
A bright sun greeted me this morning at Ijams Nature Center and Forks of the River Wildlife Refuge, both situated beside the Tennessee River in South Knoxville, Tennessee.
Acres of Sunflowers like these faced the eastern sky whose rising sun reflected brilliantly on the river’s surface.
This is going to be a good Friday!
STF715a July 15 2022
Yearly Feast
Acres are planted with Sunflowers annually at Forks of the River Wildlife Refuge in South Knoxville.
Flower heads are important for food to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Seeds, flowers and stalks feed deer, mourning doves and over 40 species of song birds.
Enjoy this Sunflower extravaganza before the flowers fade.
STF711 July 11 2022
Fringed Mushroom
I spotted this fine fringed Mushroom while hiking Lookout Tower Trail at Frozen Head State Park, near Wartburg, Tennessee.
STF710 July 10 2022
The Garden Spot
Jonathan and I pursued and finally found an elusive and remote location in Frozen Head State Park called The Garden Spot.
I do not typically pile onto a cairn, but after our effort to locate the out-of-the-way spot, I chose to add a small, flat rock to this cairn.
If you have visited The Garden Spot, I tip my hat to you!
STF705 July 5 2022
Coral Honeysuckle
From a sign at Seven Islands State Birding Park, I learned:
“The nectar of the Coral Honeysuckle is one of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird’s favorite food sources. This plant attracts many other pollinators and is a great native alternative to harmful invasive vines like Japanese Honeysuckle, Periwinkle and English Ivy.”
STF701a July 1 2022
Beaver Creek
Side trails from Collier Preserve’s ADA-approved walkway lead to Beaver Creek and idyllic scenes like this.
To reach Collier Preserve, take I-75 to exit 112 and travel west a short distance to 330 W. Emory Road in Powell TN.
STF628 June 28 2022
Hanging On
We walked through wet clouds part of today. Views from Andrews Bald and Clingmans Dome were less than stellar.
Flame Azaleas at Andrews Bald were generally past their peak flowering season. Thankfully, some shrubs displayed vibrant blooms like these.
STF627 June 27 2022
Let Nature Be Your Teacher
“Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.” William Wordsworth
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” Aristotle
“Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.” Vincent van Gogh
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Albert Einstein
“We who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” Rachel Carson
“Just living is not enough…One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” Hans Christian Anderson
“People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.” Iris Murdoch
“Explore Nature. Enjoy Life.” Steven Lewis Madden
STF626 June 26 2022
Foothills Parkway
I opted to drive rather than hike this morning.
A half hour from my Knoxville home, I turned off US 321 and drove eastward along Foothills Parkway.
Dense forest predominates along the Parkway, occasionally opening to reveal breathtaking views like this.
STF625 June 25 2022
Magnolia Blossom
A bee arrived precisely on time as I shot this photograph.
I finished my greenway walk between UT Gardens and Marine Park when I noticed elegant and graceful blossoms in a Southern Magnolia tree near the University of Tennessee veterinary teaching hospital.
STF621 June 21 2022
Roan High Bluff
I hiked northwest from Carver’s Gap along the Appalachian Trail past Roan High Knob and veered onto Cloudland Trail near Roan Gardens. This was my view from the terminus of Cloudland Trail.
You can drive from Carver’s Gap to Roan Gardens and experience the easy 1.2 mile hike along Cloudland Trail to Roan High Bluff.
STF620 June 20 2022
Paramount Perspective
This view evokes paramount perspective. “What is man that You are mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4 NKJV)
What awesome force sculpted mountains like the Roan Highlands?
STF619 June 19 2022
Roan Sunset
I celebrated Father’s Day by hiking, camping and chasing a sunset at Roan Mountain in Upper East Tennessee.
This spectacle was visible from Round Bald less than a mile along the Appalachian Trail from Carver’s Gap.
STF617 June 17 2022
Elle Este French Broad
The year-round focal point at Seven Islands State Birding Park is French Broad River.
Her headwaters are in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Here in Knox County TN, she is shallow and serene.
Ellle este magnifique!
STF615 June 15 2022
Flamboyant Flowers
Along with Deer and Rabbits, showy summer flowers abound now at Seven Islands State Birding Park near Kodak, Tennessee.
I do not know this flamboyant flower’s name. I will call her Violetta.
STF614 June 14 2022
Shades of Green
A shrub at University of Tennessee Gardens displayed multi-colored leaves whose shape convinced me the plant was a Redbud variant.
STF610 June 10 2022
Enriched Rich Mountain
Morning mist enriched this view of Rich Mountain, seen from Cades Cove Loop Road near Townsend, Tennessee.
STF610a June 10 2022
Cove View From Gregory Bald
Steve H. and I bumped along Parson’s Branch Road from Cades Cove Visitor Center to Gregory Bald trailhead. After our four-mile climb, we enjoyed blooming Flame Azaleas and this view of Cades Cove and Rich Mountain.
In some ways, our adventure had just began. We descended to Steve’s car, he drove the remainder of Parson’s Branch Road and we survived The Tail of the Dragon on our way back to Maryville, Tennessee.
STF607 June 7 2022
Majestic Sky
This is what I saw after walking the gravel road to the bank of the Tennessee River.
I marveled to see this majestic sky and its reflection on the river surface.
STF607a June 7 2022
Look! Up In The Sky!
I usually fix my eyes on the ground while hiking to avoid tripping. By doing so, I miss many wonderful sights overhead.
I walked a gravel road from Island Home Avenue toward the Tennessee River in Ijams Nature Center. Thankfully, this overhead scene grabbed my attention.
STF607b June 7 2022
Majesty Revisited
It was so glorious I want to share one more image from this morning along Tennessee River at Ijams Nature Center.
STF606 June 6 2022
Mason Bee Hive
I learned more about Mason Bees at Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. I read that they are generalist pollinators, meaning they collect pollen and nectar from a variety of flowers. Adult Mason Bees are active in early Spring, so they are excellent pollinators for orchards.
A local Boy Scout troup built the Mason Bee Hives at KBGA using hollowed out Bamboo stems.
STF605 June 5 2022
Here Comes The Sun
“Here comes the sun and I say it’s all right.”
(From a Beatles song written by George Harrison.)
STF602 June 2 2022
Watch It Grow
I noticed several similar-looking Mushrooms around a rotting tree during my hike along Ross Marble Trail at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The life cycle of a Mushroom Fungus is one to four days, including time below ground. When a Mushroom becomes visible, with patience you can watch it grow.
STF601 June 1 2022
Face to Face
Typically, when I encounter White Tailed Deer, I see only their white tails as the animals bound away.
On this particular afternoon, a Doe stood her ground while I snapped her photo. Later, I noted pretty patches of white on her legs and neck and around her nose and eyes.
STF531 May 31 2022
Creatures Great and Small
I have learned these wild animal tendencies:
Most wild animals I never see because they sense my approach and make themselves scarce.
Some, like deer and rabbits, might allow me to see them but they keep a wary eye on me lest I venture too close.
This Mallard Duck and her five Ducklings paddled near the edge of Fountain City Lake in North Knoxville TN.
Mother Duck seemed to know I would not enter the murky water to harm her babies.
STF528 May 28 2022
A.M. At Ijams
This scene welcomed me to Ijams Nature Center at 7a.m. today.
The sky above Tharp Trace reflected elegantly on Mead’s Quarry Lake.
STF527 May 27 2022
Nesting on Tellico Lake
Doug and I explored a cove close to where Tellico River flows into Tellico Lake when we discovered these twin Heron nests.
Speeding across Tellico Lake on a Wave Runner at 40 mph is exhilarating. Drifting with the engine off allowed me to photograph these birds, apparently without disturbing them.
STF525 May 25 2022
Sassafras Smile
I smiled more than usual today.
My barber started me smiling.
I beamed watching a duck and her five ducklings paddle near the edge of a pond.
Conversing about the Beatles with my son David was fun.
And, when I noticed these seedlings waving in the breeze at Fountain City Park, I grinned from ear to ear.
Sassafras leaves always make me smile.
STF522a May 22 2022
Mountain Laurel Time
Here is one last photo from my recent visit to Roan Mountain State Park. It is the first Mountain Laurel bloom I encountered this year.
Late May and early June promise to be timely for hiking area trails that feature Mountain Laurel shrubs in abundance. This is just the beginning.
STF520 May 20 2022
Raven Rock Panorama
This was my reward for hiking Roan Mountain State Park’s Raven Rock Trail yesterday evening.
I hiked to Raven Rock the fourth of four nights I overnighted at Roan Mountain State Park’s excellent campground. Having hiked all RMSP trails over three days, I rank Raven Rock as my top trail in the park. It was nice to save the best for last.
STF519 May 19 2022
Front Porch Shelter
Rain arrived while I visited Miller Farmstead at Roan Mountain State Park. So, I sheltered on the front porch of the Miller house
It was completed by Nathaniel Miller and his neighbors in 1908.
Until the rain stopped, I swayed alone in a two-person swing at one end of the long and narrow porch.
STF519a May 19 2022
Appalachian Mountain Life
Rain fell hard for about ten minutes, then slacked, then stopped altogether.
I aimed past the “tree” and picket fence toward the rustic barn, occupied by a 24-year-old Arabian horse, to capture this image.
My appreciation for Appalachian mountain life increased appreciably after my unhurried visit to Miller Farmstead on this rainy Thursday.
STF518 May 18 2022
Roan Sunrise
This sunrise scene is from a pull off of Tennessee route 143 above Roan Mountain State Park heading toward North Carolina.
Among my Appalachian experiences, the Roan Highlands are unmatched for majestic views, especially if you hike a few miles of the Appalachian Trail from Carver’s Gap.
STF517 May 17 2022
Close to a Pink Lady
My unplanned hike along 0.4 mile Tom Gray Trail in Tennessee’s Roan Mountain State Park was fortuitous.
I saw more than two dozen Pink Lady Slippers in bloom. Nowhere else have I seen so many of these favored flowers blooming so close together.
STF516 May 16 2022
Destination: Roan Highlands
After setting up camp at Roan Mountain State Park in upper east Tennessee, I drove to Carver’s Gap then hiked a short but spectacular section of Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
This is one of countless majestic mountain scenes I witnessed this evening.
STF516a May 16 2022
View From Grassy Ridge
As sunset neared, I veered off the Appalachian Trail and climbed Grassy Ridge Trail to its summit.
At 6160 feet, Grassy Ridge is the highest bald on Roan’s ridge, making it among the highest peaks in this region of Appalachia.
STF515 May 15 2022
Another Pleasant SoKno Sunrise
After climbing Woodlawn Cemetery hill, I enjoyed this scene near my South Knoxville home.
Though within sight of retail stores and residences, Woodlawn Cemetery is large enough to offer an oasis of peace and quiet. Also, when my timing is right, it often shows me a pleasant sunrise or sunset.
STF513 May 13 2022
Meadow Walking on Pavement
At 90-acre Beverly Park in Knox County, Tennessee, you and your dog will enjoy walking this 0.6 mile paved loop.
Today’s mid-morning sky was gorgeous, and the meadow featured summer-green hues.
STF513a May 13 2022
Meadow Walking on Natural Surface
More to my liking, when I visit Beverly Park in Knox County, Tennessee, is the 1.4 mile natural surface trail. There, the meadow is often your sole companion.
Woods and Meadow Trail takes you very near this peaceful pond.
STF510 May 10 2022
Plant Leaves Matter
I am a sucker for colorful and intricate and otherwise-captivating flowers like these exquisite Foamflowers and Violets.
I feature this image from April 15 to remind us to notice and appreciate plant leaves. For most plants, after flowers have faded, leaves continue to absorb sunlight and carry on the all-important process of chlorophyll photosynthesis.
In the case of Foamflower and countless other plants, their leaves also happen to be intricate and beautiful.
STF509a May 9 2022
Painted Trillium
After climbing about 3.5 miles on Baxter Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tom and I snacked while resting on a fallen tree.
I noticed several Painted Trillium plants nearby. Is this wildflower glorious, or what?!
STF505 May 5 2022
Mr. Madden’s Neighborhood
I remained today in my nature friendly South Woodlawn neighborhood of Knoxville, Tennessee.
This morning was ideal for walking outdoors.
After the temperature cooled this evening, I walked to a shopping center for groceries.
I passed this friendly sign on the way.
SSTF504 May 4 2022
Whatever It Is, I Like It
Most local wildflower blooms had faded.
So, I began to notice colorful plants in cultivated gardens and landscaped areas around East Tennessee residences.
I noticed this emerging flower at the Ijams family homestead at Ijams Nature Center. Whatever it is, I like it!
STF502 May 2 2022
Red River Gorge
I was a bit late to see the sun rise today atop Natural Bridge in Natural Bridge State Park.
Nevertheless, I appreciated that morning sun enhanced Spring colors in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge area.
STF502a May 2 2022
Henson’s Arch
Henson’s Arch Trail, only 3/10 mile long, departed from Whittleton Campground in Natural Bridge State Park.
I captured this image, from inside a 15-foot hole beneath Henson’s Arch, by climbing down a metal ladder.
STF501 May 1 2022
Bridge Under Construction
“Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that a stream ever ran through the arch. Freezing, thawing, wind, rain and earthquakes will continue to shape and erode the arch until it is gone…”
STF501a May 2 2022
Columbine
Rock Garden was one of several short trails I hiked in Natural Bridge State Park near Slade, Kentucky.
I stood precariously on a steep section of trail when I photographed this Eastern Red Columbine specimen. Even with imperfect focus, this flower is still grand.
STF430 April 30 2022
Admired Together
Jonathan and I hiked the Original Trail in Natural Bridge State Park to the namesake sandstone arch.
Together we admired this view from atop Natural Bridge, near Slade, Kentucky.
STF427 April 27 2022
Idyllic Scene
An idyllic scene, don’t you agree?
I often see cattle grazing on this hill property across Tennessee River from Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Several months ago I noticed a gaping hole in the roof of the brick house. Apparently, landowners have allowed the structure to fall into disrepair.
This scene may not be idyllic much longer.
STF426 April 26 2022
Tree With Three Trunks
I noticed this tree with three trunks while walking a recently-reopened section of River Trail at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
STF426a April 26 2022
Tree With Three Trunks, Take Two
Here is the same three-trunked tree after I made a slight adjustment to the image.
Which version of this featured photo do you like better?
STF422 April 22 2022
Earth Day Reminder
More than anything we know, the earth is sustainable. It is unlikely humans can overpower nature, although as a species we seem hell bent to do so.
When humans respectfully work with the earth, instead of shaping it to suit our self-centered and short-sighted objectives, we enjoy earth’s bounty and beauty.
STF421 April 21 2022
Picnic Spot
This ideal picnic spot is a few feet from Augusta Quarry Overlook, at the entrance to Fort Dickerson Park in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Trails lead from this spot downhill to Augusta Quarry Lake and uphill to Fort Dickerson, a Civil War earthen fort.
STF420 April 20 2022
Pete’s Branch Falls
A friend and I returned to Cherokee National Forest today to visit two waterfalls and search for Spring wildflowers.
This is Pete’s Branch Falls, which is less than two hiking miles from Horse Creek Picnic Area near Chuckey, Tennessee.
STF420a April 20 2022
Squibb Creek Falls
This is Squibb Creek Falls, which is just over two hiking miles, but in a different direction, from Horse Creek Picnic Area.
After an inch of rainfall in the prior three days, the two waterfalls we visited today were flowing well. So were the streams we crossed more than two dozen times. Brrrrrrrr!
STF419 April 19 2022
Golden Goose
A rock wall reflection on the lake’s surface colors a solitary goose.
Mead’s Quarry Lake is at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, where I often walk to begin my day.
STF418 April 18 2022
Shelf Fungi?
Are these still named Shelf Fungi when they are attached to a fallen tree?
Photographed near the Keyhole at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
STF417 April 17 2022
Easter Sunrise
Early on the first day of the week, I witnessed a dramatic sun rise. I was surprised and grateful for this special start to Easter Sunday.
STF416a April 16 2022
Big South Fork
A few miles from Bandy Creek Campground is Leatherwood Ford. From there, we hiked beside the Big South Fork on O&W Trail.
This view of Big South Fork of the Cumberland is from O&W Bridge.
STF415 April 15 2022
Debord Falls
Three friends and I visited Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee during Wildflower Pilgrimage Week. We saw an abundance of wildflowers in bloom along Panther Branch and Judge Branch trails.
Panther Branch Trail passes Debord Falls and leads to Emory Gap Trail which terminates at Emory Gap Falls. Both exhibited a better-than-usual water flow today.
STF413 April 13 2022
Redbuds
Redbud trees were quite showy today at Panther Creek State Park near Talbott, Tennessee.
I hiked Deer Run Trail when I captured this close up of a budding Redbud.
STF413a April 13 2022
Trout Lily at Peak
I also hiked Trout Lily Trail today at Panther Creek State Park.
Though the namesake plants were past their prime, several Trout Lilies were at peak, including this terrific specimen.
STF411 April 11 2022
Blue-Eyed Mary
I visited Raven Run Nature Preserve, just south of Lexington, Kentucky, and hiked the Flower Bowl loop in light rainfall. I was rewarded by a variety of flowers in bloom, including this plant I haven’t seen elsewhere. It’s called Blue-Eyed Mary.
STF410 April 10 2022
Emperor’s Crown
I joined Jonathan, Rachael and Zoe for a visit to Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.
Today’s weather was splendid, many animals were visible, and thousands of Tulips were in bloom.
My best flower photo today was this Emperor’s Crown Tulip.
STF409 April 9 2022
Hoosier National Forest
Jonathan and I teamed up to compete in a six-hour ROGAINE orienteering event, held this year in Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest.
This was our view from 110 foot Hickory Ridge Fire Tower on a blustery, wintry day.
STF408 April 8 2022
Honking and Swimming In The Rain
I pulled off Interstate 75 and walked at Cove Lake State Park.
The geese clearly disliked my intrusion, yet their honking seemed to convey they enjoyed the light rain that fell as they swam and I walked near the campground.
STF408a April 8 2022
Beside Wood Loop Trail
This is today’s best flower image.
I saw this Trillium beside Wood Loop Trail at Cove Lake State Park near Caryville, Tennessee.
STF407 April 7 2022
Eager Beaver
Immediately after I arrived at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville TN, I noticed a Beaver swimming in Tennessee River below the River Boardwalk.
STF407a April 7 2022
Trillium Up Close
During my morning walk at Ijams Nature Center, I enjoyed several red Trillium plants in various stages of flowering.
As you can see, we received much-needed rain last night in Knoxville, Tennessee.
STF405 April 5 2022
Tennessee River Sunrise
I walked early this morning at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
A bass boat driver was on the Tennessee River early today also. His wake enhanced my sunrise view.
STF403 April 3 2022
Virginia Bluebells in Tennessee
This emerging Virginia Bluebell was on display at Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee. Volunteers planted several sample plants and displayed name tags for each at Panther Branch Trailhead.
Carla and I spotted more than a dozen wildflower varieties in bloom today along the trail that parallels Panther Branch and passes Debord Falls.
STF402 April 2 2022
Spring Beauty
During my fourth visit to Norris Dam State Park this Spring, Hepatica, Trout Lily and Bloodroot had passed their prime blooming period. Instead, Red Trillium, Wild Blue Phlox and other ephemerals took their turn in the spotlight.
These and many other Spring Beauty plants bloomed along Clear Creek Trail. Though their stems and leaves were easy to overlook, Spring Beauty’s showy flowers grabbed my attention.
STF402a April 2 2022
Wildflowers At Play
After a morning hike at Norris Dam, I drove to Morningside Park near downtown Knoxville, Tennessee where I played disc golf. I saw this vivid flower in the fairway for hole #11, .
STF401 April 1 2022
Wildflowers Close to Home
Wild Phlox were among a variety of blooming wildflowers along Hickory Trail at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The nature center is about a seven minute drive from my home. When I prefer, it takes me less than an hour to walk natural surface trails from home to Ijams’ parking area at Mead’s Quarry Lake. Today, I drove the Explorer.
STF331 March 31 2022
Green and White Carpet
A “carpet” covered several acres, comprised mostly of White Fringed Phacelia plants. This scene was about 1.5 miles along Porter’s Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Below are some other wildflowers that bloomed among Phacelia plants.
Great White Trillium amid White Fringed Phacelia STF331a
Wild Geranium amid White Fringed Phacelia STF331b
Trout Lily amid White Fringed Phacelia STF331c
Mayapple amid White Fringed Phacelia STF331d
STF329a March 29 2022
Happy Hepatica
This was the happiest among myriad white, pink and purple Hepatica flowers I saw today along Cucumber Gap Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
STF327 March 27 2022
Spring In East Tennessee
I returned to Norris Dam a second consecutive day to view and photograph early but brief blooming wildflowers (Ephemerals).
This Hepatica flower nestled among a rocky outcropping close to Clinch River along TVA’s River Bluff Trail near Rocky Top, Tennessee.