Reconnecting with nature through hiking, camping, and paddling
A Junco rests on a snowy branch while out foraging in the snow. How such a small creature survives the winter never ceases to amaze me. Does it wake on such a morning wishing it could sleep a little longer, rationalizing that later the snow will melt and its burdens will be just a little lighter?
Earlier this month I visited Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Nearly all the west facing rocks had large icicle formations on them. On my way out of the park I decided to stop and get some photos of the icicles. Since it had been above freezing they were all slowly melting.
I was up early one winter morning and discovered this blue jay feather laying on a frosty bed of moss. Click on the image to see the larger, more detailed photo.
This cascade along Jones Run in Shenandoah National Park provided an interesting photographic experience. My friend was smart enough to stay at the top. Despite my better judgement I decided to hike down a little farther from the trail. Just as I was thinking I needed to be careful on the leaves and wet rocks, I stepped on a patch of wet moss covering a large, flat downward sloping stone. As the moss gave way I began sliding down the rock face, watching my camera bounce off the stones beneath me and hoping I would be able to stop myself. Fortunately my slide came to an end before I got to the actual waterfall, about 6 feet beyond the point from which I took this picture.
Snow fell on Richmond Thursday night. A few inches accumulated but it was nearly all gone within 24 hours. I took the day off Friday and hiked through Pocahontas State Park. This photo was taken as the sun rose over the forest. The park was beautifully covered in snow and I had the place to myself. I hiked for 5 hours and never saw another person the entire time.
This photo was taken about 30 minutes after sunrise on an early December day. Our neighborhood was shrouded in fog and I hoped to capture it hanging over the river. Normally fog clings heavily to the river but this day was different. I was a little disappointed but enjoyed this view from one of Richmond’s many bridges over the James River.