During a walk along the James River I noticed these cairns out among the natural rock formations. Perhaps they were put their by a paddler as a way to mark their take out point?
Rider on a Painted Horse
Grass Seedpod
The long stem of this wild grass silently hangs above competing weeds, wildflowers and native plants, patiently waiting for its seeds to drop. Some will be eaten by birds and field mice. Others will fall in places they cannot germinate. But for eons these simple seeds have dropped from similar pods carrying the lessons of their ancestors. Each year enough find their way into the earth to continue the silent tradition.
Cicada Shell
Leaving for work, I noticed the sunlight gleaming through this abandon cicada shell hanging under a fence rail. I came back a few days later, right around the same time, and got this photo of the backlit shell. These empty shells disgust my wife but when I was a child we would play with them in the summer. We had great fun pretending they were aliens, space ships and monsters. Maybe because of that, they remind me of simpler times and summer fun.
Smiling Dragonfly
I spent some time one summer day watching and photographing the dragonflies that buzz around my backyard. This individual almost seemed to pose for me. In this shot it looks like the dragonfly is smiling for the camera.
Green and Orange
A metallic green fly and a black ant investigate the bright orange buds of a trumpet creeper in Henrico County, VA.
Off the High Dive
The high dive at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA offers swimmers a thrill as they escape the heat.
Pipe Vine Swallowtail
Searching for good photographic subjects on Big Walker Mountain, I happened upon a group of these large, blue and black butterflies. My friend James Shelton, who is quite the amateur entomologist, tells me this butterfly is a Pipe Vine Swallowtail.
Ruby Throated Hummingbird
The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds in the Eastern United States. This female stopped by the feeder on my deck long enough for me to get this photo.