It is National Park Week now, running through April 24, 2011. If you do not already have an annual pass to Shenandoah National Park, it’s a great time to visit now with the redbuds blooming and temporary free admission.

Black Bear in Shenandoah National Park

Of course, if you’re in east Tennessee or Western North Carolina, you can visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for free 365 days a year…

The redbud tree is one of my favorite trees (second only to the dogwood tree) with its flowering spring display. The redbud name seems a bit odd to me since they look more pink or purple than red.

Flowering Redbud Tree

Redbuds do nicely on the edge of a woods; this one is alongside a powerline cut near the Appalachian Trail.

A redbud tree in the backyard was looking nice last weekend.

4/7/2007–This photograph was taken in Arlington, VA.