As the Cahaba’s “‘charismatic” namesake lily blooms, an old festival and a new musical tribute celebrate Alabama’s longest free-flowing river.By Lee HedgepethWEST BLOCTON, Ala.—“The lilies have bloomed this season if you know where to go.”
Observations from the Little Bunker
Last updated: February 28, 2026 08:15 AM
Atmospheric CO₂
429.9 ppm
+17.3
ppm/year
Atmospheric CH₄
1946.47 ppb
+6.49
ppb/year
Global Temperature
+1.48 °C
Peak: +1.73°C
World Population
8.1 billion
+67
million/year