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Full swing spring with dandilion seeds

Spring is in full swing here in Loudoun County. The flowers are in bloom and the sweet smells are drifting through open windows. These dandelion seeds were surely sent flying during the recent April rain. There is no better place to enjoy the season than northern Virginia.

Old Rag Mountain Hike

Old Rag Mountain offers quite the challenging hike. The circuit loop one may take is roughly seven and a half miles. In the middle of this loop is a spine of massive boulders that one must climb and navigate their way though. While I highly recommend this incredible and natural obstacle course, do be prepared for a journey that will make you gasp, strain, become breathless and smile. Don't say I didn't warn you. Show up early (like 8 am) to get the most enjoyment, the crowds can run heavy.

Showing in Leesburg Fri 3/5 and Sat 3/6

This Friday my landscape photographs will be on display during the Leesburg First Friday event. They will be shown in the Photoworks studio located at the corner of Loudoun and King streets, second floor. On display will be framed photos of various sizes and matted prints, all for sale. Finger food and wine will be provided, feel free to stop by and say hello.

Display times:
Friday, March 5, 2010 - 6 to 9 PM
Saturday, March 6, 2010 - 12 to 4 PM

Leesburg's (Virginia) First Friday event consists of more than 35 downtown shops and venues providing live music, art, book signings, wine tastings, comedy and yoga.

  

Drifts On Guard

Western Loudoun received nearly three feet of snow over the weekend, a sight to behold. Two senior townies (expressed in the best possible way) told me stories today about storms of the past. One aged about 60, and the other 70, they separately suggested that this was the biggest storm they've seen. Oddly enough, both men grew up two blocks away from their current residences here in Purcellville.

Red Tractor

A lonely red tractor rests at the foot hills of the Blue Ridge. The fields have been long plowed and the ground hard from recent freezes. Canadian geese have settled in to nearby ponds. The cows now graze where grains grew just months ago.

Foggy trail walk

Thanksgiving morning was met with fog and drizzle. Most would call this a gray day, I called it opportunity. I set out early to capture the beauty that fog rarely fails to deliver. The goal was to capture Purcellville under the spell of terrific diffused lighting with a sometimes haunting glow. This photo was taken on the W&OD trail looking south.

Prints at Blackberry's

A quick note to say that my matted prints are now available at Blackberry's Design Center in Purcellville. The print bin is located in the rustic design center upstairs. Website and directions here: www.blackberrysonline.com.

No words, just these

AT fall hike

Thursday was a good a day to play hooky and hike the Appalachian Trail. The morning started at Blackburn Cabin in northwest Loudoun and led south to the Devil's Staircase, just below the large radio tower. Just over six miles, this refreshing hike provided glimpses of the remaining fall color.















This happy squirrel had only eating in mind and allowed me to get fairly close. The entire trail was alive with these critters crashing about the dried leaves in search of food. Very few spots along the hike were free of such noises.















I'm not sure that this deer experienced a human encounter before. It just stood and stared for a minute before prancing away. What a terrific way to spend the day!

A Skyline Drive drive

Sunday was a spectacular day for a drive down Skyline Drive. The sky was filled with large white clouds that sometimes blanketed the tops of nearby mountain tops. Distant green pastures could be seen with sun spots and shadow stripes racing across them. It's good to be alive was that day's theme.

























Dark Hollow Falls is barely north of the Big Meadow campground on Skyline. A leisurely one mile stroll will place you hear at falls bottom. This photo was taken in black and white with a color filter enabled. Only green components in the shot retained color, all else did not.



















In case you were wondering, falls can kill. A Park Service friendly warning, with a stick figure falling to its death.

Crows on the fence

These crows were captured during a recent trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, my home town. They are perched at the perimeter of a well know historical site known as Strawberry Banke, where this photographer once delivered the Portsmouth Herald to the working artisans. This former junk yard now serves to tell the story of life hundreds of years ago. Grave markers from the early 1600's can be seen a block away.

It's under the bridge

A troll's eye view of the Shenandoah River. This photo was taken under Route 7 looking west, not to far from the Blue Ridge mountains. From this perspective, the distant house appears to sit in the highway median.

All Good Week

Last week, friend Dave and I set out for the All Good Festival near Morgantown, WV with some camping planned afterward. Fun and harmony were discovered during the terrific live music acts who played long into the night(s).






We camped at Coopers Rock State Park for a couple of nights following the festival. This terrific view, assembled from several shots, was taken at the end Raven Rock trail, breath taking. The Cheat River runs roughly 4000 feet below this spot and can be seen on the left and right.


















The aforementioned hiking trail was dotted with large limestone formations covered with green vegetation. The effects of time and weather on this formation are beautiful! I saw my first in-the-wild rattlesnake close to this location. It was rattling, we jumped far and fast.

Field House: No words needed

Prints hang at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital

The largest commercial collection (so far) of Loudoun Landscapes photography can be seen at the new Inova Fair Oaks Hospital building in Fairfax. Sixteen of my large prints are permanently on display on the second floor of this facility, which recently opened.





















It gives me great pleasure to see results of my hiking, and love for Loudoun County, come to light in such a public way. As an artist, sharing my passion in this way provides further emphasis to keep doing this type of work.


















The lobby area features a unique collage of local photographers. The photos in the middle and ends are mine. You may recognize the photograph of the white horse, taken by Sarah Huntington (see her link on sidebar).

Franklin Park Fireworks

Here is a brief compilation of long exposure photos I took last night of the fireworks from Franklin Park. I was standing behind Blue Ridge Middle school when these shots were taken. Another fine show put on by the park!

Barley Hopper

This barley hopping deer navigated itself away from me by pouncing through this tall grain field. I've learned to wear my camera ready-to-shoot, having missed a hundred such opportunities in the past. This location faces east on the Blue Ridge near Route 7.
















The same barley field pictured above can be seen here on the horizon. Recently planted corn turns this fertile field brown to green. A friend and I hiked to the top of this ridge pasture and rested. Not more than a stone throw away, we heard a pack of coyotes begin wailing in the woods. A rare treat in Loudoun, but not a comfortable one...chilling.

Pasture swimming

...looks like this. Taken last weekend.

High plains farming in Loudoun

While technically not high plains, this Loudoun pasture does offer terrific views looking south toward Route 7 and Bluemont. These cows call the side of the Blue Ridge their home.



















Farmhand Skip told me that Coyotes also make these high pastures home. I did hear odd cries while hiking higher up the ridge. There's nothing like plowing through waist high grasses exploring without a trail.