Virginia Bluebells

Shenandoah River State Park

Passage Creek Leaves

Elizabeth Furnace, Fort Valley, Virginia

Forest Plaid

Jones River

Lichen Wreath

Lone Tree

Orange Leaves

Rocks on Beach

Seeds

Shadow Fern

Snowy Branches

Hollow Tree

Discovery Park Grove

Found in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in late March through April along river banks and moist low areas. Blooms only last for a short period but carpet the land with a foamy blue and purple froth. A walk through an area with Virginia Bluebells at their peak is certainly one you don't want to miss.

Elizabeth Furnace has a day use and camping area and is located in northern part of the George Washington National Forest. The trails along Passage Creek allow you an up close look at natural vegetation. The trail climbs lending magnificent views of the Shenandoah Valley and the Massanutten Ridge which reaches north to south.

Ferns combined with oak tree fungus dappled in sun and shadow are found along the trails in the George Washington National Forest. The forest floor is lush with vegetation after the early spring rains and thins as the hot summer progesses each year.

Reflections of the surrounding forest along the Jones River in the Shenandoah National Park. Depending on the season, the level of water flow runs the gamut between a roaring torrent to a meandering stream with shallow wading pools.

Lichen do not have roots and do not need to tap water like other plants. Many lichens grow on the surface of other plants or rocks, but particularly on the trunks and branches of trees. Lichen weave texture and vibrant color to their surroundings and are not parasites.

Stonewalls are found woven across the countryside as farmers cleared their fields of igneous rocks around the Shenandoah Valley. Trees often sprouted up along these barriers eventually creating picturesque vistas.

Fall maples show against a brilliant blue sky providing striking color. A visit along Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park during the peak fall season is always rewarding, but get there early and on a foot trail to fully appreciate the park. Leave your car behind and be rewarded with close-up as well as panoramic views.

Rocks along the shoreline of Lake Superior are rounded and smooth from the water action of the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. The granite and bedrock shoreline are highlighted when splashed by the lapping water's edge.

At season's end, wind scattered seeds become a mosaic pattern of browns light to dark nestled on bluish stones. Seeds contain everything necessary to produce new plants and will lie dormant until moisture and warmth spur them into action usually in the spring.

Ferns cast shadows on surrounding rock outcroppings providing a 3 dimensional feel to the darks and lights on the forest floor on the trail leading to Signal Knob Overlook.

Winter takes the color away from the valley but creates it own monotone magic when snow coats the branches leaning over Passage Creek at Elizabeth Furnance leaving them with a light frosting of delight.

The bark of a hollow tree supplies the unique texture and depth around its opening that threads the azure blue sky through to the eye.

A rare, sunny, early fall day found a grove of trees in Seattle welcoming many visitors walking the paths in Discovery Park. The autumn tones are provided a splash of light as the sun sets through the trees.