The Pink Cattleheart is a large, black butterfly with striking red, pink and white markings.
Little Brown Butterfly, I
I haven’t been able to identify this butterfly. It was at the Butterflies LIVE exhibit at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden so it may not be native to the United States. If anybody knows the species I’d appreciate a comment.
Tiger Longwing On Coneflower
I recently visited the Butterflies LIVE! exhibit at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This photo of a Tiger Longwing on a red coneflower was one of my favorite shots from the trip. If you’re in the Richmond area Lewis Ginter is definitely worth a visit.
Eastern River Cooter
This small Eastern River Cooter was basking on a sunny log in the Rappahannock River as a paddled my canoe past it last July. I don’t know much about the turtles of Virginia so I may have misidentified this one.
Goldfish And Water Lilies
Goldfish and water lilies at the Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond, VA.
Carolina Chickadee, II
This Carolina Chickadee hopped around on this branch and never sat still for long. Shortly after I took this picture two younger Carolina Chickadees appeared. They must have been recently fledged and following mom (or dad) around to learn the ways of the world.
Weighing in at only 0.3 – 0.4 ounces (8 – 12 grams), the tiny Carolina Chickadees always inspire me. How can something so small endure everything nature throws at it? From snowy winters to droughts and heat waves, these little birds somehow endure it all.
Please click on the image above to see a larger copy of it.
Mountain Stream, Dark Hollow Falls
The fixed, hard stone provides an ideal path for water to rush down the mountain. The stone may seem immobile and rigid but in time it will be defeated by the steady pounding of the water and the quiet, patience of the moss. For now they share this space and offer a beautiful, peaceful spot to sit and rest.
Ferns, I
This post was inspired by Brenda of A Meditative Journey with Saldage. When I saw these ferns they reminded me of the type of image she frequently posts. That being said, I’m sure she would have done a far better job with them than I did.
Canada Violet
This Canada Violet was growing along a hiking trail in Shenandoah National Park when I was there last May.
Mountain Pool, Dark Hollow Falls
I love these mountain pools in Shenandoah National Park. This one is downstream from Dark Hollow Falls but you can find scenes like this throughout the park.
Click on the image to see a larger version of the photograph.