Iron silo

While taking time out from a recent shoot to "water mother nature", I stumbled across this strange, studded iron silo. It measures about four feet across and had no roof that I could see. It features a small concrete trough attached at the base. I presume it was a water collection system for cattle. Does anyone know?

Swirling leaves

Hiking along the AT this weekend drove home that fact that fall is ending. The rivers are blanketed in orange, brown, yellow and red. Trapped swirling leaves mimicked small tornados without paths. As the leaves fall, the forest seems to grow tenfold.

Natural Chimneys

Grottoes, Virgina is known for two things: Jousting and their Natural Chimneys. Jousting tournaments have been held in that town for 150 years. The Natural Chimneys have been there for 500 million years and are remnants of the sea bed that once covered this part of the continental US. There are seven limestone towers that look so out of place that I swear they were dropped off by aliens.

Red, blue and green

Western Loudoun approaches peak leave changing season. While the colors are not spectacular this year due to the dry summer, there are spots of brilliant color to be found. The two horses pictured in this pasture get second billing to this brightly colored maple.

Virginia State Arboretum

After attending an Artist's reception in Millwood the Art at the Mill (I'm showing there) , I drove over to the Virgina state Arboretum. This experimental plant and tree farm offers an abundance of growth that I've never seen. If you are in Clarke County looking for something to do, this place is highly recommended. Located near the intersection of highway 50 and 340. Just beautiful!

Finding simple in a crazy world

In this fast paced society, it is often hard to recognize and enjoy the simpler things in life that really matter. This political season is filled with such sensory overload that I'm beginning to tune out; source of apathy? The simple sound of horse hooves can wipe that all away and reintroduce hints life's true purpose. Photo taken in Dayton, VA last weekend.

Knee deep in it

I had a wet but terrific camping trip this weekend in the George Washington National Forest. This river ran along our Hone Quarry campsite which was overflowing from the recent rain. While in Harrisonburg buying supplies, I bought the pair of wader boots that I've always wanted. Now I can venture into the streams and marshes instead of struggling for a shot on shore. More shots from the trip coming soon.

Slimy air

Entire microcosm's are always underfoot. While hiking the AT one day I noticed brilliant green slime coating the river rocks. It ebbed and flowed like sheets in the wind driven by the power of the water. I was facinated by the trapped oxygen contained in the slime (ok, I'm a simple guy).

Grain trailers

Locals will recogize these grain trailers from thier grassy parking place along Rt. 7 and the WO&D bike trail. This active farm explodes with green every spring as they add nitrogen to the soil in preparation of planting. Right now, the adjacent field is a blanket of yellow from the small field flowers in bloom.

Update Jan 2011 - The new power line runs through this spot today.

Making best of a gray day

Yes, gray days can be depressing but they don't have to be. Grab your camera and hits the fields because they sometimes produce nice photos. Frequent readers of this blog may recognize this spot from previous shoots. I'm still working on getting this location just right. Don't let the grays get you down.

Tranquil Pond with Geese

This secluded pond runs along a gentle rise in the earth on Williams Gap Road. The quiet spot is home to an wide array of wildlife including Canadian Geese, deer, hawks and small rodents. The only noise that could be heard was the slight motion of the passing geese and light droplets of rain hitting the mirrored pond. Heaven!

Great weekend at the Bluemont Fair

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 Pokeberry

Saturday was a misty gray day that covered everything in water droplets, this Pokeberry is no exception. It's brightly colored pink/purple stems contrast nearly everything around it. While it looks delicious, the berries are poisonous though it young leaves can be eaten as greens. One way to turn a gray day around...

Old Beaut

This old house must have been a real beauty at one time. All hand build down the handcut boards that covered the stone foundation. Perched just outside of a new neighborhood where all building has stopped (due to market conditions). Everything in cycles.

My own gallery! Virtually...

I've slacked on the posting lately because I have been spending time building my virtual gallery. Second Life is a 3D online community of thousands of folks. I decided to open shop here as an experiment. Check it out if you haven't already, it's free to join.

See my location from the web instead: SLurl
Already a user? Click here for a teleport: SL Teleport to gallery

Free Birds

What a life large birds must lead. You surf the currents for a while, rest, surf, eat, surf and then sleep. I suppose I lead a similar life, just replace those tasks with drive and work. The game these birds seem to play involves soaring for as long as possible without moving a muscle. They are quite good at it.

Clarke County Fair

Opening day at the Clarke County Fair.






Not much going on except setup.


















You gotta love the real thing.

Loudoun Emancipation Association

While conducting Loudoun research this weekend I learned something about black history of the area. Loudoun's first county-wide organization was the Emancipation Association that formed in 1890. The group incorporated and bought 10 acres of land in Purcellville at the corner of 20th and A streets. The sign in this photo marks the former site. Elaine Thompson's book, In The Watchfires, provides a detailed history of these grounds which served the black community for more than 75 years.















After purchasing the book, I drove to the location to see it for myself. A church now occupies this place but remaining is a refurbished stone wall that once served at the gate to this property. While comparing photos in the book to the current site, I noticed debris next to a large tree (same tree but smaller is in the book). After a bit of digging I pulled out remnants of gatherings gone by. These Coca-Cola Soda Water bottles had markings from Frederick and Alexandria. A bottle cap shows a 2 cent tax stamp. After reading about the rich history of this place, it was thrilling to find actual artifacts used by former participants.

Rebel Farmer

Who says a barn has to be red? Steel grain silo? Bah! This Bluemont farmer was cut from a different set of overalls. The barn is green and the silo made of brick. I haven't seen either anywhere in Loudoun County. Be like, different.

Ice Diver

Looking at this photo will make you feel cooler, triple digit temperatures call for such photography. It was taken on freezing morning that called for gloves to be worn. An early morning AT hike last winter provided ribbons of frozen creeks running through bare forests along the Blue Ridge. This photo contains Daliesque qualities including an icy figure diving into the chilly water.