Photo of the Week - Big Mama, Part 1

Once the largest living tree in Virginia, Big Mama died in 2008

Big Mama is the name given to a Bald Cypress tree located in Cypress Bridge Swamp in Southeastern Virginia.  It is estimated to be 1000-1500 years old.  It is surrounded by 40 acres of virgin growth forest of similar age trees.  Next weeks post will take a look at the entire forest.

Photo of the Week - Deltaville Storms Part 2

A storm rolls across the mouth of the Rappahannock.

The sun sets on the last storm of the day.

Photo of the Week - Deltaville Storms

Looking north in Woods Creek towards the Rappahannock River.

A Thunderstorm moves across the mouth of the Rappahannock River into the Cheasapeake Bay at sunset.

Photo of the Week - 20 Minute Cliff

20 Minute Cliff is an overlook just off the Blueridge Parkway.

Photo of the Week - Cumberland Marsh Abstract

This image of Cumberland Marsh was taken at a slow shutter speed while panning horizontally back and forth.  The goal was to subtly accentuate the water ripples and marsh grass.  Cumberland Marsh is a preserve in New Kent County, Virginia managed by the Nature Conservancy.

Photo of the Week - Mammatus Clouds

Mammatus Clouds trailing a tornadic storm in eastern Virginia.

The clouds appear to be in a deformative stage.

Photo of the Week - Lucky Strike

Lucky Strike, Storm cloud passes over Downtown Richmond

Whiteoak Canyon to Old Rag Hike

Spring is one of my favorite times to hike the Blueridge with the fresh green leaves, wild flowers, overflowing waterfalls and interesting weather.  Seeing that the weather might provide some spectacular skies as a back drop, I decided to ditch work and head out to Shenandoah National Park.  I dropped the kids off at school and headed west in a heavy rain.  Since the trail heads for Whiteoak Canyon and the Old Rag Saddle Trail are about .8 miles apart, I decided to try both.

Here is the link to the map for both trail heads:
Whiteoak Canyon/Old Rag Trail Head

I first headed to the Lower Whiteoak Canyon Falls(going all the way to the upper falls would have killed any chance to make it to the Summit of Old Rag) since I would prefer to be at the summit in the evening hours.  The rain had stopped and the sun had come out making for nice midday weather.

Lower Whiteoak Canyon Falls, Midday, 5/4/2011

Showy Orchid, Along the trail to the falls, 5/4/2011

After enjoying the falls I headed back down to the car for the short drive to the Berry Hollow parking area.  I hike up the Berry Hollow Fire Road to where it connects with the Saddle Trail to the Summit of Old Rag.

Pink Ladyslipper Orchid along the fire road

At the Old Rag Shelter you leave the fire road and continue on the Saddle Trail.  The next 1.5 miles is very steep and rocky.  The Saddle Trail to the summit is not as challenging as the Ridge Trail which has a mile long rock scramble over lesser peaks.  When I got to the top it was very windy and much colder.  It was in the mid 50's in the valley and probably in the low 40's on top.  The weather was very nice with deep blue skies and scattered showers.

From the summit looking North

Looking South towards Doubletop Mountain

Sunrays over Hawksbill Mountain

You can see the mile long rock scramble below on the Ridge Trail

I left with just enough time to get to the fire road before dark (1.5 hours down).  The total trip from the falls to the summit was about 8.5 miles, not a difficult task in a day with plenty of time to relax, explore and take some photos.

About halfway down the trail with the last light coming over the mountains.

More photos can be viewed in a slideshow and you can always visit my website to see more.

Exhibit at Cafe Ole

If you are looking for a good lunch in Downtown Richmond stop by Cafe Ole. My work is currently on display there for the next couple of months.  The lunch only restaurant is located on 6th Street close to the corner of Main Street.

Incredible Spring Day In Shenandoah National Park

Went for a couple of short hikes in Shenandoah National Park on April 2nd and was greeted with thundersnow at the top of Hawksbill Mountain.  Snow in the park is unusual in April, but not out of the question.  I stopped by Big Meadows to eat a quick lunch and scan the weather to see where I wanted to head.

Light spring snow on Big Meadows

The weather appeared interesting to the North so I headed to the Upper Hawksbill parking area for the short 1.2 mile hike to the summit.  As I got close to the summit it began snowing with a couple of inches already on the ground.  At the summit I was greeted with some of the most incredible 'winter' atmospherics.  Waves of snow showers would cross the valley, through the mountain and head east over the piedmont with the occasional rumble of thunder.  I sat up there for a couple of hours taking photos of the passing weather.

Looking towards Old Rag Mountain

Snow in the distance over the Shenandoah Valley

Thundersnow crossing the mountains

Thoroughly frozen I headed down to the car to warm up and do one more hike before the sun went down.  I headed south to one of my favorite spots, Bearfence Mountain.  The short half mile hike to the summit is steep and the last couple hundred yards is a rock scramble over some outcrops to a 360 degree view.  After the sun set I headed down to drive home.  All in all a very productive day with some of the most dynamic landscapes that I have seen in awhile.

The snow showers have headed east

Time to head home