#1399. Appalachian Seasons, Part VI: August

August marks the half-way point in my year-long project of providing an impressionistic depiction of this corner of the great Appalachian forest.

After a long and productive run, the forest is looking a bit tired, its energies largely spent, and there are increasing signs of impending leaf-death.

Still, it’s not yet time to call it a year, and some species choose to bloom in August.

Most put their energies into fruits and seeds.

Meanwhile, animals are busy on the forest floor. There are some 59 species of salamander in Virginia, but they are not often seen, preferring to hide under rocks, leaves and logs. But occasionally they venture aboveground, cautiously.

Abundant rain in early August from Hurricane Debby (over 2.50 inches) freshened up the forest greenery and swelled small streams.

The moisture also encouraged fungal growth, and various mushrooms, well, mushroomed overnight.

In late August we traveled down to Northwest North Carolina (near Asheville), and enjoyed another part of the Appalachian Forest: variations on Virginian themes.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is higher down there, much of it over a mile high, with spectacular though somehow familiar views.

There is a short spur up to Mt. Mitchell, at 6684 feet the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Here’s a view from the top, with a developing thundercloud to the west that absolutely bucketed us later in the day.