Jesse

Red-bellied Woodpecker, on feeder

One of Steve's bigger fires, in the making

Blazing!

Prior to going down the Pinnacles, into Hazel Country and the Hughes River Gap

Rhododendron, I think

Scarlet Tanager

Beside trail, boiler parts?

Unidentified at this time

One with Nature

One of the numerous stone fences that we saw

Chimney, that's my waistpack on the ground. Also note that people have placed artifacts on the hearth for others to see, the large rusty thing is a saw blade. We have seen Model T wheels, barrel hoops, and lots of other old stuff down here.

Gus

Triple trunk of a large Tulip Poplar. The leaves in this view belong to several smaller trees of different varieties, which have cheated the mowing routine by growing close to the big tree.

A fine specimen of Tulip Poplar

Tulip Poplar flower

Blooms and leaves of the Tulip Poplar

Life goes on

Osprey and nest at First Landing. There is a bird sitting on the nest but I don't know if it's visible in this shot. Notice the Spanish Moss on the nest. After doing a little research, I discovered that it is a relative to the Pineapple, lives only in warm, humid climes because it is a rootless plant that obtains it's food and water from the air. I bet the nest weighs a couple hundred pounds.

Red-Bellied Water Snake, fairly common in First Landing State Park. This one is about 40" by my best guess. Identification thanks to my handy National Audobon Society Field Guide - which can stay home when I take the camera.

Poison Ivy, notice the reddish tint to the young leaves.

Virginia Creeper, in winter the leafless vines of this plant and Poison Ivy appear identical. Apparently some people are also sensitive to this plant.

The sun is setting, so which direction is the wind coming from?

In the Colonial Historic Park, they don't always mow everything to the ground. I've been trying to figure out what the reddish-purple topped plants are in the center by comparing close-ups to images I found on the web, to no avail.

The best shot of about 40. Managed to hold steady against oak in back yard.

Redwing Blackbird

Great Blue Heron on the hunt. Notice how the long crest feathers are being lifted by the wind.

Mayapple, showing flower. Plants such as this one, with 2 leaves, will flower. Single leaved plants won't.

Mayapple, showing fruit. All parts except the ripe fruit are poisonous, although the plant has some medicinal uses.

Beaver lodge, the tree isn't growing directly out of it, as it appears.