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. Â This lichen was growing on the side of a very large pine tree. Â I approached the tree to get a closer look at something else when I noticed the tiny, bright red blooms on the lichen. Â 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. Â 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. Â As the dark wood warmed snow was converted into a small cloud of steam. Â As a result, this photo shows all three forms of water: Â 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. Â It was low, leggy bush with dried up leaves when I took this photo in November. Â Regardless of my ignorance, I thought the plant’s seed pod was worthy of a close up photo.
Jones Run Cascade
This cascade along Jones Run in Shenandoah National Park provided an interesting photographic experience. Â My friend was smart enough to stay at the top. Â Despite my better judgement I decided to hike down a little farther from the trail. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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.
Forest Sunrise After the Snow
Snow fell on Richmond Thursday night. Â A few inches accumulated but it was nearly all gone within 24 hours. Â I took the day off Friday and hiked through Pocahontas State Park. Â This photo was taken as the sun rose over the forest. Â The park was beautifully covered in snow and I had the place to myself. Â I hiked for 5 hours and never saw another person the entire time.
Early Morning in the Woods
The sun was just beginning to rise above the trees when I arrived at this small pond.
Forest Still Life
During a hike I noticed this piece of bark resting on stones by the side of the trail.  I was initially intrigued by the texture and patterns in the bark itself.  My first thought was to get a close up of the texture but when I noticed the bark was sitting between two shadows I thought it made for an interesting forest still life.
Quiet Place Among the Boulders
A friend and I hiked a 6.6 mile loop in Shenandoah National Park, specifically to get photos of waterfalls. Â Our hike passed three significant falls but this little cascade at the top of one of them yielded my favorite photo of the day. Â It isn’t very dramatic and I think that’s what I like about it. Â The image makes me think of a quiet, little, almost secret spot, you could visit to get away from the world for a little while.