The Rat Snake is quite a capable climber. This individual took to the trees when we met each other on a lakeside trail in Central Virginia. It seemed to be just as happy making its way through the branches as it was winding across the forest floor.
Mason Wasp
When I think of the color of bees and wasps, I think of yellows, oranges, and reds. This little Mason Wasp is black and white with beautiful blue wings. Sadly, it flew away before I could get a another photo showing more of the wing. From what I’ve read, they mainly feed on nectar and caterpillars.
Don’t Come Any Closer
When I first saw this Rat Snake it was on the ground, just a few yard ahead of me on a small, little used, lakeside trail. I turned, took a few steps back, dropped my backback and got my camera ready. When I turned back around it was gone. In a matter of seconds it had disappeared into the forest. “Oh well,” I thought, “that’s how they survive.” Continue reading “Don’t Come Any Closer”
Tiny Forest
The moss and saplings growing from this semi-submerged log make up a tiny little forest of their own. A microcosm of the world around them.
Tri-Colored Pine Cone
I’m not much of a pine cone photographer (is there such a thing?) but the colors on this cone really caught my eye. It grew from the branch of a fallen tree that was clearly still very much alive.
Colorful Fungus on Log
This fallen log, in Pocahontas State Park, near Richmond, Virginia, forms the basis for quite an ecosystem of colorful fungus and lichen.
Lichen Bloom
Sometimes it’s the little things in nature that really catch my eye. This lichen was growing on the side of a very large pine tree. I approached the tree to get a closer look at something else when I noticed the tiny, bright red blooms on the lichen. Who knew that lichen actually bloomed?
Melt Off
As I hiked past this puddle of melting snow I stopped to look at the reflections in it. Snow was falling off the trees in clumps and caused ripples in the puddle.
Steaming Stump
When I arrived at the edge of the lake, this stump was absorbing the sun. As the dark wood warmed snow was converted into a small cloud of steam. As a result, this photo shows all three forms of water: frozen (snow), liquid (water), and vapor (steam).
Seed Pod
I can’t identify the plant which produced this seed pod but I can confidently say it wasn’t a dandelion. It was low, leggy bush with dried up leaves when I took this photo in November. Regardless of my ignorance, I thought the plant’s seed pod was worthy of a close up photo.