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 Memories

I was inspired by a camera club competion theme to photograph harvest pictures.  Here are some recent shots.

     

Historic  London Town, Annapolis

     

    Farm stand Annapolis Bay Ridge Rd

     

     Spider Hill Farm

     Lowes California MD (end of summer)

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 

Fall color in Fredericksburg VA

We spent Sunday in Fredericksburg, hoping to see a few leaves left on the trees after all the recent wind and rain.  In between the nice light for pictures, we went Christmas shopping midday. Here are some highlights of our day.

A lovely tree in the little beach park near the Harry Nice Memorial Bridge.

A little park behind the Wawa at the Central Park mall.  A picturesque oasis.

Canada goose snacking.

Reflection and pier near the Chancellorsville Battlefield.

My favorite autumn tree on the base

And everyone else's too! Every year I drive by a little picnic area on base with a gorgeous red leaved tree in the fall. It doesn't remain beautiful for long before the leaves fall off. Most years it rains or I can't find the time to take a picture of it. This year I finally managed to photograph it. I laid on the grass, viewed it from beneath and from afar. As I took the time to do that, every few minutes another person came to photograph it too. Amazing!!
Let me know if you recognize it.