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.

Update Jan 2011: This store closed in fall of 2010. Shamrock Music Shoppe is now located in this spot on 21st Street.  Stop by and tell Scott that Dave sent you.

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.

Fine Sunday

Yesterday was a fine day for a stroll up the side of the ridge. Luckily, travels this day featured pastures and fields of barley ascending high into the distance. As the evening sun lowered on the horizon, this barley field lit up with stripes glowing colors. In the distance a donkey's bray and wild turkeys could be heard celebrating the close of another beautiful day in western Loudoun County.

Town Festival Day 2009

Just a terrific day in my small town. Here, the stage is set for the pie eating contest as on lookers begin to gather. The 2009 Round Hill Town Festival was a smashing success.























The sack races are always a hit with the kids. A camera always helps to show a slightly different perspective on things.



















This child is adorable.






















A small crew exhibited their gymnastic dance moves. This particular gentleman could fly through the air.























Mid-air hops nearing the finish line.
























These folks provided stories, history and drama related to swords and lore. They acted out mock duels while informing the audience of the roots of swordplay.



















Classic pie eating techniques are revealed as the adult portion of the contest ensues.















Seconds after time is called. New rules this year calls for pie to be ingested, rather than worn. In years past we've seen eaters covered from head to toe in hopes of gaining higher scores (remaining pie is weighed to gauge winners).
















This is a Round Hill Festival first; ground pie eating. The judges did not know what to make of this brazen new technique. Apparently, the pie is tossed to the floor thereby allowing the eater to attack the 2400 calorie desert from a prone position....ingenious! The contestant was not disqualified, however, the rules committee will spend many weeks reviewing video to determine potential changes next year.












Warriors, each and every one of them!

Jefferson's Rotunda

A recent trip to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville produced this photo of the Rotunda, a focal point on campus. This spectacular institution was formed by Thomas Jefferson, with this building breaking ground in 1822. The campus was unique for its time due to its focus on a library, rather than a church. The university evokes feelings of grandeur and history that is uniquely American.

Photos on display at Magnolia's

Selected Loudoun Landscape photographs are currently on display at Magnolia's in Purcellville. If you're in town, stop in and have a look.













The tuna is terrific, I suggest a Dale's Pale Ale to go with it. Tell Patrick that Dave sent you!

Foggy mid-week morning, and still

The early Wednesday morning fog pulled me from the house in search of quiet Loudoun scenes. These two continually honking Canadian Geese did not favor my visit. Everything else was quite still. Taken near Snickersville Turnpike.






















While shooting at another location yesterday, this crazed beast from heck comes tearing around the pond at me. The newish Black Lab could hardly stay in it's own fur as it bounced around seeking nothing but fun. After realizing I was not fun (the camera you know), it tore around the pond and ripped a hearty branch from a tree. I was just leaving as the hapless canine returned with his treasure.

A chicken in every hand

The Chorus of the Old Dominion is at it again with a light hearted delivery of fine vocal verses. The group gathered at the Bluemont Store on a chilly January morning. For some reason, this called for the cuddling of chickens. Watching patrons walk into the store was as much fun as doing the shoot itself. Featured on the Blue Ridge Leader on February 27, 2009.

Warm February day at the arboretum

A nice break in the weather was the perfect excuse for a hike this weekend. These red Smooth Sumac berries "float" in the field as the wind knocks them about.

The photo above was taken at the Virginia State Arboretum located in Boyce, VA on Route 50 near 340. From their website "..displaying more than 8,000 trees and woody shrubs". A visit here is required.























Close up of the berries in question.

Show Opening at Magnolia's

In a partnership with the Round Hill Art Center, a selection of my work has been hung at Magnolia's in Purcellville. My photographs will be shown through the end of March. The show opening is scheduled for Monday, February 16 from 6 - 8 PM. This is a fine chance to taste the goodness of Magnolia's while seeing some of my large framed work. I hope to see you there.

Link for more information: www.roundhillartscenter.org/events.html#dave

Frozen Tree

After a recent night of freezing rain, the encased trees sparkled in the morning sun.