It is the First Day of Autumn

Summer went by too quickly. I did not get outdoors as much as I planned, partly because many days were uncomfortably hot. 

These are September scenes, although not all are from this current year. A duck is swimming in the first picture, and the second picture is from Monday. There is a bird perched high in that tree. 

The insect is a stinkbug seen through a window.  Below that we see a crow on a dead tree. 

 The hummingbird picture is one I took in September 2019. This year I stopped feeding hummingbirds early when there was an avian infection going around that some experts thought could be spread by feeders, although since then they have announced that it probably was not and might be related to the large number of cicadas that hatched. 

Yesterday in Hawkinstown

Shenandoah County, VA

Wordless / Ruby Tuesday

 

A Sailor's Dream and Patriots' Pride

Monday Murals: This pair of murals is in Montross. They are named The Siren and The Sailor.

Mosaic Monday: These people were part of Patriots' Pride Day in Middletown. They presented programs in costume of the Revolutionary War era as part of an event to honor veterans.  
 

The young man in the center photo is Middletown's mayor, Charles Harbaugh. 
 

Technical note: I used the Portrait mode on my iPhone and later combined them using PhotoCollage. My first attempt at downloading the collage confused me because it had the extension clg instead of jpg.  What the heck is that? It turns out to be a collage format, not widely used. Fortunately I was able to try again and save a jpeg to post here. 

A Red Barn and a Brick Church

On the Northeast Side of Winchester

Barn Collective / Inspired Sunday

Heritage Baptist Church

Slim Pickings for Saturday Critters

This week hasn't been great for animal pictures because we've been busy with other things. Here's a trail cam picture of geese. The color was so far off that I converted it to black and white.

I've got some fake animals for you, starting with this little dog statue. 

Here's a toy raccoon, followed by a snapshot I took of a wooden pig. 

I did find a grasshopper on a marigold.

Also I saw deer along Skyline Drive but they turned away before I raised my camera. 

More Scenes in Strasburg

The small towns of the Shenandoah Valley are interesting to explore, and particularly delightful in the warm seasons of the year when there are flowers and green plants. 

 Sharing with Friday Bliss, Black and White Weekend, Floral Friday, Weekend Reflection, and Skywatch. 

 

Mid-September Signs

Shenandoah Valley

Today I had an appointment in Woodstock so afterwards I drove down to nearby Seven Bends State Park. It was still misty and wet from last night's rain.

There are a few signs that fall is coming but the grass is still  green. Flowers are blooming.

Yesterday I went to physical therapy in Strasburg. I found out that my appointment had been changed to two hours later so that gave me some time to kill. I was going to wash the car but the car wash machine was not functioning. 

I decided to visit a new gift shop. First I checked out a large sign left over from a recent event. This boy was also interested in the sign. 

I didn't find anything to buy in the shop although they had some cute signs.

I decided to get something cold to drink but several places were remodeling or having repairs made, so that took a while. But everything turned out okay. 

I have one more sign to show you. I took this earlier in the week. I don't have a dog at this time but I agree that they can provide emotional support.

Stay safe and do things you enjoy.

Perched

Hummingbird, Butterfly, and a Bird on a Wire.

 

The View from Remount Ridge

Front Royal, VA

First, a confession: I made up the name "Remount Ridge". The hill is part of the former Remount Depot and is now owned by the Smithsonian Institution.  

Also these pictures are several years old. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute held an open house and one of the features was a cavalry demonstration. The name Remount means to supply with a fresh horse, and the property served as military horse and mule center from 1911 through the first World War. Fortunately for horses, they were soon replaced on battlefields by motor vehicles. 

During World War II, the property became busy again as a dog training center and a prisoner of war camp. There is still a dog training facility across the road from the SCBI, as well as a 4-H camp. The SCBI studies and breeds rare animals, and their property is securely fenced and rarely open to the public. 

I believe I have seen these riders and their mounts at Civil War reenactments. Women, by the way, actually did serve as soldiers in the Civil War, disguised as men. 

Every Office Needs a Stuffed Animal

Wordless

Colorful Dog Mural

"Mosaic District," Merrifield, VA

A shopping trip into Northern Virginia involves some gnarly traffic so I like to get in an extra destination besides the organic market. I was excited an article listing several murals in Merrifield in addition to the flowery one I had already found. I must say this one is my favorite. 

 The artist is King Tuxx. This is behind a very small dog park. A sweet doggy with a bandaged leg was there with her person. 

Monday Murals / Mosaic Monday