Trekking the foggy mountain
March 29, 2009
Foggy days are always interesting in the mountains and Saturday was no exception. On our approach to Shenandoah National Park, an overcast sky gave no indication of the pure blanket of fog that was thick within the boundaries. Read the rest of this entry »
Black Bears Part III: Safety
March 18, 2009
Note: This series is based on personal experience, but it is important to note that any wild animal is capable of being extremely dangerous. Seek expert guidance if you are interested in serious photography or research ventures.
No matter who you are, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with black bears and how they behave.
Generally speaking, bears are more wary of humans than they are given credit for. If given the choice, they will often flee. For example, a gentle cruise on Skyline Drive may provide you a glimpse of a bear, but more than likely, the sound of your engine has already cleared the area. Read the rest of this entry »
Trekking SNP to Luray
February 23, 2009
Saturday was a long trek with friends starting in Shenandoah National Park and ending in Luray.
Around 1 p.m., we parked at Jewell Hollow Overlook and gazed at the valley. Opting to walk light, I only brought food, water and a single camera and lens. After following the Appalachian Trail a short distance, we arrived at Leading Ridge Trail, which is a constant downhill path just over a mile to the park boundary. Despite being constantly downhill, the trail was tiring and difficult due to the incline and heavy presence of downed leaves. Read the rest of this entry »
Bearfence Mountain in SNP
February 17, 2009
A Monday afternoon trip in Shenandoah National Park included a chilly but pleasant trip up Bearfence Mountain. Read the rest of this entry »
Raccoons!
February 9, 2009
Saturday evening I was fortunate enough to get a ride back into Shenandoah National Park to retrieve my truck. On the way, I received an unexpected blessing. As we approached the area near Tanner’s Ridge Overlook, we noticed a group of deer to the right eyeing two small brown masses. It took a minute to realize that they were raccoons. Finally!
I’d been trying to find raccoons for months so it was a great surprise. I got one image that I’ve already put in the layout and really enjoy. That one won’t go online just yet, but here is an outtake from the raccoons:
From a photographic standpoint, the time of day (about 6 p.m.) always makes for soft light, but makes long exposures necessary. These raccoons were constantly on the move, so that was a bit tricky. I’m still satisfied with the results and am happy about the one I’ve put in the book.
Stuck in SNP
February 9, 2009
If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that you can plan out a wildlife trip to the smallest detail but it’s never guaranteed, and rarely does, go according to plan. Last Friday was the most stressed I’ve been in the park simply for that reason.
In the beginning, things went swimmingly. My friend Susan and I hit Skyline Drive and cruised toward Limberlost. Snow was still prevalent along the drive and I wanted to check the park that day since the Central District had just reopened. Read the rest of this entry »
Trails and pain
February 5, 2009
Arriving again at Shenandoah National Park last Sunday I found the South District closed and headed north, having made up my mind to hit Bearfence Mountain.
It had been a while since I visited the park on a nice weekend, and despite the cold temperatures, I still found a lot of parked cars at the trailhead. Traffic on the trail was minimal though and I had an enjoyable trip to my little peak atop the world. Read the rest of this entry »
Birds, hawks and tracks in SNP
February 5, 2009
I’ve been trying to figure out for a while how to best recap my past few outings… and I think I’ve settled on breaking them up into a few posts. So, here goes!
On January 22, I cruised down Skyline Drive in pursuit of… whatever could be found in the dead of winter. It’s been typical on my past few trips to find a variety of sparrow-sized birds, deer and squirrels. Beyond that, it’s been pretty mundane. Read the rest of this entry »
Outing recaps as of late
January 10, 2009
Ice and snow have caused closure of Skyline Drive for a while now, but here is a small recap of the past few outings.
Shortly before the holidays, I headed out into the mountains and hit up Limberlost Trail again in Shenandoah National Park. I always seem to end up there since I’ve seen bobcat tracks there and am trying so badly to track the bugger down.
At first, the trek was relatively uneventful. Then, I realized I wasn’t alone. Down the path stood a group of deer watching me.
As I watched, close to a dozen crossed the path and kept eyeing me. As I kept walking, I noted many more deer that I had been unaware of. I was in the midst of possibly 50 or so. Read the rest of this entry »
Gates and ice cut plans short
December 5, 2008
My planned cruise through the central section of Shenandoah National Park was cut short this morning. I arrived shortly after 8 a.m. only to discover the gates to central and north sides were closed due to ice.
I improvised and did a quick scan south, seeing numerous small birds. There are large groups of sparrow-sized birds that disperse when you approach. I also noted a buck and woodpecker, but nothing else worth photographing. Read the rest of this entry »
