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

Autumn in Virginia and PA

We drove up to the Skyline drive last week to do some leaf peeping.  Skies were mostly blue and warm.  The colors were lovely.  Here are my favorites:

     Shenandoah River

     Deer on the Big Meadow

     Big Meadow sunset

     Red tree

     Skyland Sunset

     River leaf

      PA afternoon 

Deer Dear

Recently, a fawn posed for me in the yard.  Very sweet.  Here are the best ones.  I think they would look nice in a group frame.

Summer in Shenandoah

We took a very brief weekend trip to Shenandoah National Park and took a short hike to Black Rock summit so we could see all the rocks. We also attended a lecture on birds of prey & met a tiny eastern screech owl. When photographing animals I always focus on their eyes and try to blur out distracting backgrounds or simplify them.

Shenandoah National Park: A favorite place

We recently took a long weekend trip to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It has been one of our favorite places for years.  I was amused at the weather report.  If the prediction was rain, it was sunny.  If sun was predicted, it rained! The mountains seem to create their own unpredictable weather pattern.   We had lots of fog and mist too, which created some moody photography.  If you take proper care of your camera, rain doesn’t mean you can’t take good photos!

Big Meadows is one of the best locations on the Skyline Drive to see deer, especially at dusk.  Some of them are very accustomed to people and largely ignore you.  It is wise to use a tripod and stand fairly still to avoid scaring them away.  The wildflowers blooming along the drive and in the meadow in August added a nice touch to the landscapes.  I photographed delicate Queen Anne’s Lace from underneath the flower to produce an unusual viewpoint.

Other highlights of our trip included a van trip to Camp Rapidan, where Herbert Hoover spent his time away from the White House in a rustic camp, viewing a black bear while I was driving along the main road (sorry no photo) and a visit to see Charlie Maddox play music from Appalachia and the British Isles on hammered dulcimer, banjo and guitar in the tap room at Big Meadows Lodge.

Wildlife in St. Mary's County

I have heard that you can see more wildlife in the winter time when the trees don't hide the birds and deer.

Where are some of the good places to view wildlife in St. Mary's County?

I'm especially interested in bald eagles, whistler swans, blue birds and great blue herons this time of year.

I've mostly seen cardinals outside my house. I didn't even have to leave the comfort of my house. I knew there was a reason we put the bird feeder near a window! Here is my recent 3rd place winner from the St. Mary's County Camera Club recent competition.