Rock Creek Park Redux

A few weeks ago, had a beautiful end to a relaxing Thanksgiving week - another hike in a different part of Rock Creek Park.  

Rock Creek Park Fall Colors

Although today's wind may have blown down all the leaves, last weekend Rock Creek Park still had some beautiful color left.  Always thankful to have such a beautiful spot so nearby.  

Reflections of

More photos from my recent wintry visit to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, including the nearby Kenilworth Park.  

More sunflowers

 The solitude and splendor of this rainy sunflower field still cheers me up even a few weeks later.  Playing with my macro lens on these.  

Sunflower droplet

Friday during a summer rain storm, I visited one of the sunflower fields out at McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area.  It was just me, the rain, and the entire sunflower field for over an hour (a fleeting escape from the stress of what was my week).  And my new toy - a small waterproof compact camera that has amazing close-up capabilities.  You can see the reflection of the field in just this one raindrop.  More sunflower photos to come.  

Happy Holidays!

This year, somewhat like this photo, has run the gamut of colors and -- gone by/taken in a rush and without quite sufficient support -- is a bit blurry.  But still beauty to be found in it.  On that note, wishing all my friends and family a very happy holiday season and all the best for 2019.

Potomac Heritage Trail

In the last two months of the year, completed two hikes and approximately 25 miles of the Potomac Heritage Trail -- "an evolving, 710-mile network of locally-managed trails and routes that embraces both sides of the Potomac, from the mouth of the river at the Chesapeake Bay to the Allegheny Highlands in the upper Ohio River basin."   So says the National Park Service.











Hike number one was in November (right after getting over the first of three colds in an eight-week span).  We had some beautiful fall foliage that day.

  

The second hike was two days after Christmas (right after getting over cold # 3 of 3).  

And it reached nearly 70 degrees.  Go figure.  

Amazing to find so much beauty in nature so close to the city.

Wishing all a happy 2016.

happy new year!

Ringing in the new year with some pictures from earlier this year.  February in Greenbelt Park, right off the Beltway, was a nice close escape from the city.  Looking forward to 2015's explorations!

Fall at Huntley Meadows

A few weeks ago, watched the sun go down at Huntley Meadows in Alexandria, VA.

And back to Huntley Meadows this past weekend where I enjoyed fall's reflections in its wetlands.

Great Falls is great -- VA edition

Over the last five months I've hiked in Great Falls, VA and/or the adjacent parks/hiking areas of 

Riverbend and Difficult Run at least four times, and this is a place that always manages to amaze.    

Each season there has its own beauty.  Pulling together a few of my favorite shots over the years.  

Nov. 2006

June 2011

 

Dec. 2007

June 2014

Dec. 2007

June 2011

Veteran's Day

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Women's Vietnam Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Marine Corps War Memorial

United States Air Force Memorial

National World War II Memorial