Pastoral

Great weekend at the Bluemont Fair

2006-09-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the community for their support this weekend at the Bluemont Fair. This by far was the best experience I've had at an event like this. Not only did I have record sales, but also terrific feedback from the community and offers to shoot on local farms. Thanks a ton to the kind folks of Loudoun County!

Wet Monday hike

2006-05-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

At 9 AM this morning, the Blue Ridge was sopping wet. As I hiked up the ridge, the mist became thicker until finally turning to rain. Ten minutes to the bottom later, I headed back up with umbrella in hand. Nearing the top I was treated to a spectacular view of western Loudoun filled with a sun spotted ground between columns of rain. This photo features a northern view as the sun broke above me. More to come...

Stoney Point revisit

2006-05-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

One day I will capture this location in all it's deserved glory. Yesterday evening was not it. It seems that sunrise may play better in this location. No regrets however, it was a peaceful evening filled with gentle winds, goose calls and something strange in the woods behind me.

Green moss and granite

2006-05-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

This unique combination of nature was discovered just off the Appalachian Trail about three miles south of Bears Den cabin. My eyes were drawn to emerald green moss set against a large, cracked chuck of white granite. The moss is growing between the one inch cracks within the granite. Ultra fluffy and mega hard just hanging out together in the woods.

Magic Mushroom

2006-05-07T05:08:00.000-07:00

During fall of last year I drove to Blackburn cabin to capture the changing leaves in fog. The road to the cabin produced wonderful photos reminiscient of images from fairy tales. This photo features a pure white cap mushroom with a backdrop of lush green fogginess. At any moment you would expect to see wood fairies to pop out of hiding, giggling at you.

Joys for Trots

2006-05-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

Moments before this photo was taken, the nearest horse chased a goose off the pasture. It reminded me of my Jack Russell chasing birds from the yard. It's amazing to see such a large animal acting like a frisky little dog.

Blooming Wysteria!

2006-04-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

Last night I hiked over to a piece of land that recently sold and discovered a huge Wysteria vine in full bloom. I hope that the host tree remains standing after the houses go it.

Thanks for the props and links Lenny (DC Art News). From the Purcellville Police Blotter April 17: "...a woman complained of an unknown person talking to her friend and claiming to be her".

Pier geometry

2006-04-26T06:01:00.000-07:00

Photograph of pier with interesting angles, shapes and lighting. Stone, metal, wood and water.

William's Gap revisit

2006-04-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

As is often done with landscape photography, locations are shot again and again to obtain a perfect rendering. This particular location, along William's Gap that abuts the Blue Ridge, is one such place for me. Shooting in heavy mist and occasional rain yesterday brought satisfaction a little closer. While not perfect, I think it deserves a frame. Agree or disagree? Leave a comment...

Name that draw bridge

2006-04-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

Recent travels took me across this unique draw bridge somewhere along the east coast. Its long history connects two small towns divided by a deep river. Before the current incarnation, oxen were used to draw open a wooden version for tall mast ships. Can you name its location?

The Loudoun Rockettes

2006-04-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

Quite a lineupup of heifers! At one point in time, they outnumbered the citizens of Loudoun county. The second one from the end has her eye on me. What the heck, she's more trim than some of my old girlfriends (not you Denise, my wife of almost 20 yrs, you were always a slender thing).

Spring is in the air

2006-04-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

Spring officially arrived in nothern Virginia. The tree blooms are near peak, tulips dot the landscape with bright colors and the insects have returned. The Blue Ridge is changing from winter brown to the emerald and Granny Smith apple greens that are familiar this time of year. Gosh, it almost feel like humidity today.

Round Hill Pasture

2006-04-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

Once you get out of town, there are many pastures in the hidden corners of Round Hill. This particular location is north of town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. The late summer sun casts a wonderful light over the rolling green hills. Taken last year.

Stoney Point Road

2006-04-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

This valley in northern Loudoun is a beauty. It looks completely different in each of the four seasons. Two winters ago I stood here in thigh high snow snapping photos in freezing wind. This place is between the growth areas of Rt. 7 and Rt.9 where time still moves just a bit slower.

Last barn in town

2006-04-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

This old barn has become a relic from another time. The old friend is beyond repair and is now surrounded by a chain link fence. Townhomes stand where it's fields once lay. The close by stream still meanders without care.

Tornado warning clouds

2006-04-04T15:50:00.000-07:00

There were tornado warnings all through Loudoun this evening. While no tornados touched down, we were treated to a spectacular sky show. My haze filter may have prevented the incredible blues from showing that appeared on the horizon, too bad as I've never seen that color in the sky before. The clouds shown here followed a heavy rainfall and impressive lightning. I've been hit by lightning before, but that's a story for a future entry.

Paris Virginia

2006-04-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Paris Virginia has no Eiffel tower but it sure is beautiful. This photo was taken from Sky Meadows state park under a cloudy but dramatic sky. About a ten minute hike from the parking lot affords this view from the blue trail. Another terrific natural resource available in northern Virginia.

My hills, my grassy grassy hills

2006-03-30T18:14:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken last week South of Hamilton in a picturesque pasture (Bovine post below taken during same shoot). The small stream pictured meanders aimlessly though acres of similar landscapes in the area. The background contains several layers of grassy hills that eventually lead to a overgrown field on top. I could have sat here for hours just looking and listening (heh, I guess I did that).

Sky Meadows

2006-03-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

A sunny but not so warm day led me to Sky Meadows State Park. This Fauquier County park offers mountain side hiking and camping. The scenery is breathtaking and filled with classic rolling Virginia hills, undulating tree lines and serene ponds. Dave gives it four hiking sticks.

Digital leaf recycling

2006-03-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

Imagery of plain objects can be appealing as a components, but sometimes cannot stand alone. These leaves from the recent fall season begged for attention. Repeating them as a background while turning trail ice into alien balls reveals something new altogether. Squinting at the picture shows the alien himself.

Bovine paradise

2006-03-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

Virginia pastures can be rugged and colorful. An overcast Friday provided great lighting for such shots. Once you drive past the housing boom south of Hamilton, life is pretty much they way its been for generations. The only thing in a hurry were the Cardinals and field mice.

Cute birds only

2006-03-23T15:04:00.000-08:00

I love to eat beef, pork and fowl as much as the next guy. However, if a town is to proclaim themselves as a bird sanctuary perhaps they should ensure that bird parts don't float around their streets. Just down the road from the Harrisonburg town sign is a Cargill turkey processing plant (see inset). Feathers from the plant can be seen in folks yards for miles (red circles). Maybe the sign should read "Cute Bird Sanctuary".

2006-03-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

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