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.