Seed swappers swap seeds, talk gardening

Ijams 18th Annual Seed Swap got everyone at Ijams talking about their gardening plans for the new year. And all of those new old varieties they wanted to try. Peg Beute's appearance on Live@5@4 was smashing. Just ask Russell. 


Also watch for Peg's Living Clean & Green's Winter Gardening series. The next: The Harvest is scheduled for Saturday, February 4 at 11 a.m.


Here's a hint: It does include lunch!

Cranes draw Ijams group to Hiwassee

Our WalkAbout trip to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge yesterday turned up several sandhill cranes plus a wonderful view of a playful dogfight between a bald eagle and a northern harrier.

The whooping cranes and rare Asian hooded crane that are spending their winter at the Meigs County refure managed to stay hidden all afternoon.

Despite what we did not see and the cold wind blowing in from the west, it was still a memorable outing.

- Text and photos by Stephen Lyn Bales

Bald eagle spotted at Ijams near river

On an early walk this morning, Ijams educator Sarah Brobst found a bald eagle perched above the boat dock downstream from the boardwalk. (This same dock is the best place to see prothonotary warblers in May and June.) 

In December and January, mated pairs of eagles begin courtship and the nesting process. Eggs are usually produced in February. 


A nesting pair has been reported the last several years on the lower Holston, upstream from Ijams. Wouldn't it be grand if a pair claims Ijams?


We'll keep you posted. You betcha. 


- By Stephen Lyn Bales

Ijams at Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge

It's that time!

Congratulations to the planners and producers of Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge. It's one week of nature and Smoky Mountain related programs, talks and field trips all free to the public.

For the seventh year in a row, Ijams Nature Center is involved with a display and presentations with five programs throughout the week.

Wednesday, January 11: 3 PM

Putting the Pigeon Back in Pigeon Forge: 

Tales of the Extinct Passenger Pigeon

Paul James

Thursday, January 12: 11 AM 

Identifying Local Birds of Prey

Stephen Lyn Bales

Thursday, January 12: 1 PM 

The Making of Audubon's The Birds of America

Stephen Lyn Bales

Friday, January 13: 9:30 AM 

Ijams Family Legacy in the Smokies

Paul James

Thursday, January 13: 1 PM 

Ghost Birds! The Historic Search for

the Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Stephen Lyn Bales


Please, attend one or all! And stop by the Ijams booth to say hello.