Red Toadshade Trillium

The trillium trail across the river (the Potomac) did not disappoint last month on an early morning photo walk.  

The red toadshade trillium were just starting to pop out, with the rain drops leftover from the night before still hanging on.

White Trout Lily

On a recent hike, I saw a patch of white trout lilies - unusual because in this region, they are usually yellow.  The other day, I was able to go back with my camera and find them again; it was a treat to be able to sit and bask in their nearly translucent glow.

Little Devils Stairs - A Very Wet Hike

A few weeks ago, I hiked the aptly named Little Devils Stairs trail in Shenandoah National Park with a friend.  According to one website, there are 11 stream crossings of Keyser Run in the 2 miles (and a nearly 1,800 feet climb).  And after the torrential rain in the preceding days, not one of these crossings was passable using the usual rock-hopping method.  The stream was running fast and furious and all the rocks were at least partially submerged.  I ended up, for the most part, just walking straight through, with my feet wetter than I could imagine.  It was a cold and foggy (and eventually rainy) day, which made for slippery rocks but it was really beautiful.  A great pre-Halloween hiking adventure.  

Otter escape!

Oh my, I couldn't have asked for a better escape from the madness in DC surrounding the recent insurrection (gheez, never thought I'd be writing that in my photo blog), upcoming inauguration and what not.  Greeted by a river otter!  It was so gracious to pose for the passerbys in nearby Huntley Meadows park in Northern Virginia.  I'm still smiling.  

Profile shot

"Hey, look at me!"

Yum, fish!

 

Phyllis' Photo Fundraiser

Phyllis’ Photo Fundraiser 

Make a donation of $150 or more to an organization helping deal with the fallout of coronavirus in these difficult times and choose which of the 13 photos you’d like to receive.  It will be 8 x 10 in size and mounted on black foamboard, with sawtooth hooks provided for you to attach to the back for hanging.  I'll remove the watermark unless you tell me not to.

For my printing and mounting, I will be using Nations Photo Lab, based in Maryland.  Not only do they make beautiful prints but they are devoting resources to manufacturing face shields for health care workers:   https://www.nationsphotolab.com/ppe   

For the first 15 people, I’ll cover the cost of printing and shipping (a little less than $22).  After that, I’ll ask for reimbursement for printing and shipping costs.  

For any donation greater than $150 (in increments of $50), I will donate a 20% match to your organization of choice, up to an aggregate total for me of $750. (Kind of like an out-of-pocket limit in your health insurance plan!)

Here are the steps to take:

(1) Make your donation directly to the organization (and get any tax benefits as well).

(2) Email/message me with a photo or scan of the receipt to the organization (or a “go fund me” type donation).  Pgk313@gmail.com

(3) Choose your photo and let me know which one you’d like.  Unless you tell me otherwise, I'll remove the watermark with my name.

(4) After the first 15 people, I’ll let you know the actual costs of printing and shipping and will ask you to send to me via check, PayPal or Venmo

(5) Your mounted photo will be shipped to you by Nations Photo Lab via USPS or FedEx ground (be patient, everything is taking longer these days, so could be up to a few weeks)  

Here are some organizations that are near and dear to my heart in my community, but you can choose a different one in your community:

Ayuda’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
https://www.classy.org/campaign/support-covid-19-relief/c277151

Community of Hope
https://www.communityofhopedc.org

Food and Friends
https://foodandfriends.org 

Mary’s Center
https://www.maryscenter.org

So Others Might Eat
https://www.some.org

Washington Project for the Arts, Wherewithal Recovery Fund
https://www.wpadc.org/content/call-support-wherewithal-recovery-fund

Whitman Walker Health

https://www.whitman-walker.org

1 - Abstract Autumn (2018)

2 - Golden Rock Creek (2018)

3 - Antelope Canyon Light (2015)

4 - Overlooking the Hudson (2011)

5 - Tulip Time (2018)

6 - City Snow (2016)

7 - Finding Peace (2016)

8 - Misty Morning Cherry Blossoms (2012)

9 - Central Park at Night (2019)

10 - Lily Pad Pond (2009)

11 - Bluebell Bliss (2020)

12 - In the Narrows (2015)

13 - A Sunflower Above the Rest (2017)

Breathing on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail

Yellow trout lily

I've never been very good at meditating but when I am hiking and taking photographs, I am able to breathe a little more deeply.  The other day, I escaped to a segment of the Bull Run Occoquan Trail in northern Virginia where I could breathe in the bliss of bluebells and other spring ephemerals.   Social distancing--a new and ever present phrase and phenomenon--was much more existent on this trail than in the heart of the city.   A brief but much needed escape.

Solitude (almost) at Scott's Run

Social distancing in the city has had me feeling too close to people on the sidewalks so today took a stroll at Scott's Run Nature Preserve.  Except for the trails nearest to the parking areas, it was relatively quiet.  I did pass people on average every 10 - 15 minutes or so, but only a few at a time.  I believe the parking lots may be closing after today so access will be more limited.  The air felt a little cleaner and I could breathe a little deeper amidst the emerging bluebells and other spring ephemerals.

Strange spring

With the talk and news nonstop coronavirus, thought I'd get out and enjoy spring.  And start posting again.

Blood root flowers opening up at Scott's run and spring beauties in full bloom.

Back on The Trail

It's been 19 months but finally back on THE trail - the Appalachian Trail :)  Getting back to section hiking, tiny bit by tiny bit, and am now in the roller coaster section somewhere along the border of Loudoun & Clark Counties, VA.

Despite being nearly mid-October, barely a sign of fall in sight - very few leaves have changed color. And not sure if those that have are simply dehydrated.  

Lots of rocks and hills.  Better than a stairmaster!  1,700 feet up and down over my 6 miles.

 Glad to be back.

Spring along the Potomac

Last weekend along the Potomac Heritage Trail in Riverbend State Park, north of Great Falls, my scouting hike was filled with spring ephemerals - wildflowers welcoming the beginning of spring - bluebells, trillium, spring beauties and more.   Will see what's there this weekend when i lead a group of hikers

light purple bluebells

toadshade trillium

trilling toad -- gribbit!

spring beauty

the trail