Calm Reflections Photography shares beautiful photographs that can be placed on mugs, mouse pads, canvas, puzzles, T-shirts, coasters and prints. Joanna Macaulay makes souvenirs of St. Mary’s County for tourists and local residents. Information about St. Mary’s County attractions, travel, events and photography can be found at her site. She now does pet photography as well.

To buy my photos, photo cards, and photo crafts of wildlife, pets, holidays and more, visit my Zazzle Photo store at https://www.zazzle.com/store/calmreflectionsphoto






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Featured Post

The Lonely Buck

I have been fairly busy lately with the Christmas rush, so I thought I would make a few posts about interesting sights that I somehow didn...

Showing posts with label Shenandoah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shenandoah. Show all posts

Monday, November 16, 2020

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Shenandoah Autumn 2019

Hazel Mountain Overlook, Skyline Drive


Milkweed Pod in the Big Meadow

Mary's Rock Tunnel in the fog

Skyline Drive



Creek by Brookside

Gate in Luray VA

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Skyline Drive October 30, 2017

We arrived at Big Meadows in the rain in time for dinner. I called ahead to be sure our room was near the lodge.  When we checked in, our room had been moved to Hawksbill, the same unit as last time, and I cringed. Isnt that the unit with the long walk down the hill?  Yep.  After dinner, Jim felt bad and had to race to the unit after walking in the rain. Sarita was still sick too. I made about 6 trips to our room using an umbrella and flashlight. Ick!! Then it started to snow!  We have rarely seen snow there and only flurries in May once. Deciding to prepare for more snow, I showered that night while the lights blinked a few times. In the morning, the power had gone out, so I wore pink leggings like long underwear and the waterproof boots. There was an inch of snow outside and Jim had to uncover the car using his cane, since he couldnt find the window scraper (two of the doors were frozen shut, denying access). 




     Big Meadows 
Lodge

     Gift shop vase

We missed breakfast time, but I asked for breakfast anyway and the restaurant staff obliged us. The whole Lodge was running on emergency power.  Another couple sat by the fire at breakfast.  



We checked on the roads and learned that the northern exits and drive were closed due to icy roads and a downed tree. They suggested using the southern exit on route 33 since it was lower elevation, even though the road to the north would be cleared soon. The snow was melting quickly. 

     I saw my first eagles ever near the Big Meadow.  There were 3-5 of them, but I only got one bad photo before they flew away.
We stopped at South River overlook to see the tree I used in my autumn fog photo years ago (not pictured) and a few other overlooks. 



     Massanutten


     Going down from the mountain

We also stopped at Blue Ridge Pottery on route 33 and bought a small pot. We had lunch at the Exchange CafĂ© at the David Rubenstein visitor center at Montpelier, after the weather turned warmer and sunnier.

     Montpelier, once owned by President James Madison

The race track.  The property is also known as a site for horse races.

The End of our October trip.
Onward to Mexico photos...

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Shenandoah Autumn

At the last minute we decided to visit Shenandoah National Park when we learned that the autumn foliage was later than usual.  

We had all kinds of weather, rain, fog, clouds and sun in 3 days and saw deer, dogs, birds and even a bear cub.  We hiked to Blackrock Summit because it was the only day we expected sun.  In reality, it rained after sunset!




On Halloween, 

     We had a close encounter with a deer, which Sarita didn't notice.


Then after breakfast, we drove south from Big Meadow...





Before returning for a late afternoon Big Meadow walk.



     Can you spot the deer? (there are 3, but only one is really visible)

A woman gave us a tip that a bear cub was foraging just down the road, so we drove past Dark Hollow Falls till we found the stupid people trying to get close.  I used my very longest lens across the street!  My first bear photo outside a zoo.


The next day, we went north and home.
Here are some before and after the trip travel photos.

     Before

     After








Saturday, October 31, 2015

Autumn in Virginia 2

I noticed some pictures from our Virginia trip were missing and found my missing SD card.  Here's some more lovely autumn pictures from Shenandoah.

     Fell cottage at Skyland

     Masanutten Lodge 1

     Masanutten Lodge 2

     Overlook sunset 1

      Overlook sunset 2

     Gray Eastern screech owl 1

     Gray Eastern screech owl 2

     Gray Eastern screech owl 3