Scroll down to view Steve Madden’s featured photos for January through March 2023.
All photos in this collection are Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
SFP330 March 30 2023
Diminutive Delight
My friend pointed out Bishop’s Cap and other flowering plants while we explored White Oak Sinks in the Smoky Mountains near Townsend Tennessee.
I was delighted with my close up photo of this diminutive plant.
SFP330a March 30 2023
Solomon’s Seal
Our 12-mile round trip hike began at the Wye in Townsend and took us the long way to White Oak Sinks in the Smokies.
In the first half mile of Chestnut Top Trail, I saw my first Solomon’s Seal plants of the season. This prolific plant with graceful leaves is most impressive when flowers droop below its slender stem.
SFP323 March 23 2023
Red Trillium Treat
Another Springtime trek along River Bluff Trail treated me to my first Red Trillium flowers of the season.
I also enjoyed tons of Trout Lily blooms beside Clinch River below Norris Dam.
SFP307 March 7 2023
Blue Already
I saw this cluster of Virginia Bluebells at Ijams Nature Center the first week of March. One of the bells-to-be was blue already.
I cannot recall ever seeing Virginia Bluebells in bloom this early in Springtime.
SFP304 March 4 2023
National Natural Landmark
I chased (and caught!) three waterfalls today. Although each is just an hour from my home in Knoxville Tennessee, I had never before seen…
Ozone Falls
Piney Falls (pictured here)
Stinging Fork Falls
Piney Falls is one of fourteen National Natural Landmarks in Tennessee. Piney Falls was given this distinction in 1974 by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
SFP301 March 1 2023
Get ‘Em While They Last
I returned to Norris Dam to retrace some of yesterday’s trails. These flowers and leaves exemplify countless Hepatica plants my friend and I saw along Clear Creek Trail.
Why walk the same trails on consecutive days? Spring wildflowers are like Autumn colors; they come and go quickly. For a hikographer to capture the glorious beauty of Ephemerals like Trout Lily and Hepatica, you gotta get ‘em while they last.
SFP228 February 28 2023
February Flowers
I visited Norris Dam today to walk Songbird Trail mostly for exercise. My trek beside Clinch River was pleasant as always.
On a whim, I ventured past Lenoir Museum onto a trail that leads to Observation Point. I was amazed to see Spring Beauty, Toothwort and Bloodroot plants at peak!
A while later, along Clear Creek Trail, I spotted several Trout Lily flowers!
Spring arrived with a flourish…in February!
SFP228a February 28 2023
Wildflower Bouquet
I love this bouquet of wild Bloodroot flowers!
SFP228b February 28 2023
From Observation Point
This was my view of Norris Dam from Observation Point.
SFP217 February 17 2023
Pristine Twins
After two inches of rain fell overnight, 256 foot Fall Creek Falls and its neighbor, Coon Creek Falls, appeared so similar as to be twins.
Of course I was impressed by their height and volume. Even more, I was struck by their pristine beauty.
SFP216 February 16 2023
Beech Trees In Winter
Visit Ijams Nature Center in February and you will see white and pink Lenten Roses left and right of this trail.
Lenten Roses are barely visible in this image. I chose, instead, to focus on Beech Trees that retain their leaves when most other deciduous trees are barren.
SFP215 February 15 2023
Clinch River Rapids
Q—Where can you see rapids like these along East Tennessee’s Clinch River?
A—A mile below Norris Dam. These rapids are created by a weir dam when TVA releases sufficient water from the hydroelectric dam upstream.
SFP214 February 14 2023
House Top View
There is a “house” in northeast Knox County Tennessee whose “roof” rises prominently above surrounding valleys.
House Mountain’s Crestview Trail peaks at 2064 feet and includes a few rocky outcroppings where you will enjoy views like this.
NOTE: Both trails leading to Crestview Trail are rocky and challenging.
SPA21V February 14 2023
Not Just For Lovers
I read in Wikipedia that Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine. Traditions suggest Valentine was killed for ministering to Christians during the third century.
Of particular interest to me was an account of Valentine’s expressions of love to his jailer’s daughter.
This photo depicts one among many excellent sculptures at UT Gardens in Knoxville Tennessee.
SFP211 February 11 2023
Idyllic Scene
Starting from Cosby Campground, I enjoyed this idyllic scene twice while hiking Lower Mount Cammerer Trail out and back today.
Lower Mount Cammerer is among my favorite trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
It is the longer but less strenuous of two trails (the other is Low Gap Trail) that connect Cosby to the Appalachian Trail near Mount Cammerer Fire Tower.
SFP209 February 9 2023
Tennessee Sunrise
I arrived at the Tennessee River in Ijams Nature Center just in time to witness this serene sunrise.
SFP209a February 9 2023
Quick Change Artist
A quarter hour later, the sky above the Tennessee River had transformed into this treasure of gold.
How does He do that?!
SFP206 February 6 2023
Good Old Rocky Top
I have a friend, also named Steve, who annually hikes to Rocky Top in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I was privileged to join him and another friend today. Views like this rewarded us for our effort.
God only knows how many more times I will witness these North Carolina mountains. Many more, I pray!
SFP204 February 4 2023
Shades of Blue
On this mostly sunny Saturday, shades of blue made this view from Lookout Tower in Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg Tennessee.
SFP131 January 31 2023
Lenten Rose
New growth Lenten Roses bloomed today at UT Gardens in Knoxville Tennessee.
Although the plants are not native to USA, I look forward each Winter to white and pink Lenten Rose flowers in select local gardens.
SFP127 January 27 2023
Seven Or Eight Islands?
I returned to Seven Islands State Birding Park today, this time with Julie and Larry. We trekked almost seven miles along muddy trails, mostly beside French Broad River.
I read a map of Seven Islands today that confused me. I counted eight islands, not seven. It made me wonder which islands rose above the French Broad when the area was named Seven Islands.
I read an article today that flabbergasted me. According to Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, the French Broad is the third oldest river in the world. Wow!
SFP121 January 21 2023
Cherokee Lake in Winter
The most scenic trails at Panther Creek State Park traverse the shore of Cherokee Lake. This scene is from Trout Lily Trail which is popular when Spring wildflowers abound.
Only in Winter are these yellow rocks exposed above the water level. My photographs of this Cherokee Lake cove from other seasons look altogether different.
SFP120 January 20 2023
Triple Decker Waterfall
How many waterfalls are in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Today, hiking friends introduced me to Quilliams Falls. We reached it by hiking a manway (unmaintained trail) near Sugarlands Visitor Center. The triple decker waterfall is fantastic!
Afterward, I read there are more than 100 waterfalls in the Smokies. About twenty of them are reachable by official, maintained trails.
SFP119 January 19 2023
Byrd Creek
A mid-winter day with abundant sunshine and warm, windy weather coaxed me from home to Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville Tennessee.
The most prominent feature of this civilized state park is Byrd Lake. The lake is man made, as are the magnificent arched dam and other sandstone structures there.
The lake depends on a constant flow of water from Byrd Creek, pictured here from one of many bridged stream crossings along Pioneer Loop Trail.
SFP118 January 18 2023
Lingering Fog
Fog was thick when I looked outside this morning, prompting me to explore downtown Knoxville Tennessee.
In our area, if it occurs at all, fog typically burns off by mid-morning. Today’s episode lingered well past noon.
I walked the pedestrian lane of Gay Street Bridge above the Tennessee River when I noticed this ghostly image.
SFP109 January 9 2023
No Hiking Required
A guide to waterfalls includes these ratings for Bald River Falls.
Brutality: 0
Awesomeness: 10
If possible, Bald River Falls was more awesome than usual during my most recent visit. Your only effort required to see it is to drive part of Cherohala Skyway and Tellico River Road (NFRS 210) to this not-to-be-missed cascade.
SFP109a January 9 2023
Bald River Rapids
We chose to begin at Bald River Falls and hike about five miles upstream. At our turnaround spot, we perched just above these Bald River rapids on a rocky outcropping.
Some of my best hiking the past three years has been along numbered trails within Cherokee National Forest. Trail #88 alongside Bald River is among my favorites.
SFP107 January 7 2023
Hogoheegee River
Nowadays we call it Cherokee Lake.
Long ago, when this region was revered as sacred hunting grounds, a river flowed here that Cherokee warriors called Hogoheegee.
This image is from a spur of Point Lookout Trail at Panther Creek State Park near Talbott Tennessee.
SFP105 January 5 2023
Margaret Was Her Name
I visited Margarette Falls near Greeneville Tennessee again today. Dry Creek ran swiftly after recent rain, so the chair-shaped waterfall displayed exceptional splendor.
Today I learned about Margaret McEwen Doak, after whom this waterfall is named. She was the second wife of Presbyterian minister Samuel Doak who founded Tusculum Academy in 1794.
I also learned about Bailey Falls. Larry, Julie and I climbed, bushwhacked and forded Dry Creek multiple times in search of Bailey Falls. It is truly a hidden gem!
SFP102 January 2 2023
Geologic Wonder
I discovered Natural Arch with Russ, a Kentucky friend, who was also seeing the 50 feet by 100 feet geologic wonder for the first time.
You can see this unobstructed view of Natural Arch from an inviting day use area of Daniel Boone National Forest. From the popular overlook, you can experience the arch up close by making a moderately-difficult two-mile round trip hike.
NOTE: Bring your national parks hang tag with you or be prepared to pay a day use fee.
SFP102a January 2 2023