It is mid-summer in the mountains. Berry picking season.
Cicadas begin to call during the day, katydids at night.
Older leaves on Tulip Poplar turn yellow as butter. The first asters and goldenrods bloom. Black Bears are on the move on the Oak ridges. And Goldfinches begin building their nests. The American Goldfinch is the last bird to begin nesting in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.