Native wildflowers are blooming, fiddleheads are unfurling, and forests are growing greener from the ground up all around the Triangle. Nature heals. We are living in unprecedented times, and for many of us, a walk outside has offered more mental and physical relief than ever before. Our nature preserves remain open (going for hikes, walks, bike rides, and runs is listed as an essential activity in many stay-at-home orders). We hope that as you’re social distancing, you feel refreshed by the sunshine, fresh air, and beauty you find there.
All of us at TLC have always loved seeing your photos on social media; now they bring even more brightness to our days. To share your beautiful photos with even more people, we’ve started this photoblog, which we’ll be updating regularly. Please continue to share what you’re seeing at TLC nature preserves with the hashtag #HikeTLC, or email your photos to Communications Manager Danielle Herman at [email protected].
Hypericum nudiflorum, Naked-flowered St. John’s-wort, along the Rocky River in White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: @hootowlkarma
Red-spotted Purple at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: @hootowlkarma
New Hope Creek at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. Photo: Connie Zhong
Dragonfly at Horton Grove Nature Preserve. Photo: Manisit Das
On the trail at Flower Hill Nature Preserve. Photo: Chris Thomson
Sunshine at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. Photo: Cal Leung
Newts swimming in a tributary at Brumley Forest Nature Preserve. Photo: Suzy Lawrence
Views from the bluffs at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: Triana Jordan
Grassland at Horton Grove Nature Preserve. Photo: Jessie Birckhead
Rainy day at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: @hootowlkarma
The pond off the Sowell Trail at Horton Grove Nature Preserve. Photo: Matt Bader
Flower Hill Nature Preserve. Photo: @acarr_walks
Eastern box turtle at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: @hootowlkarma
Bee at Horton Grove Nature Preserve. Photo: Manisit Das
Catawba rhododendron still in bloom at Flower Hill Nature Preserve. Photo: @marmalaaade
Arisaema dracontium, Green Dragon, a cousin of Jack-in-the-pulpit cousins, at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: @hootowlkarma
Stony Creek, photographed from the bridge at the end of the Stony Creek Bluffs trail at Brumley North. Photo: Danielle Herman
Swift Creek at Swift Creek Bluffs. Photo: @marmalaaade
Brumley Forest Nature Preserve in April. Photo: @howthelightgetsin
Mountain laurel at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: Merrill Wolf
Dusk at Horton Grove Nature Preserve. Photo: Matthew Kerber
How many turtles can you spot at White Pines Nature Preserve? Photo: Manisit Das
Catawba rhododendron blooming at Flower Hill Nature Preserve. Photo: Christine Wilson
A barred owl on an April morning in Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. Photo: Manisit Das
Showy orchis at Swift Creek Bluffs Photo: Steph Arpey
The trails at Brumley Forest Nature Preserve. Photo: @howthelightgetsin
Wildflowers at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve in April. Photo: Merrill Wolf
A very large snapping turtle at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: Jimmy Randolph
Bloodroot before and after blooming at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photos: @lulannah
Birch tree seedling at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: Jimmy Randolph
Forests growing green from the ground up at Brumley Forest Nature Preserve.
Photo: @brennandurm
Bloodroot at Horton Grove Nature Preserve. Photo: Jessie Birckhead
Fiddlehead and spring beauty at Horton Grove Nature Preserve. Photo: Danielle Herman
Star chickweed at White Pines Nature Preserve. Photo: Jimmy Randolph
