August is Ending.

 Will there ever be another one as colorful?

It's Willy Nilly Friday and only one day of August remains. It was a hot month, but not as stifling as July. The climate has changed, although not everyone agrees. I have lived in Virginia for seven decades and I can tell you, it has changed here. Summers are hotter. Odd events like tornados are more common. Autumn leaves change color later than they did in my youth. I cannot say for sure that winter is different because it was always changeable here.

Let us appreciate what we have. I have colors of nature to show today but let's start with a black and white image.

I was looking up a stairwell in a historic mansion and took that with my cell phone.

The roses are another cell picture, seen in a restaurant parking lot.

Friday Bliss and Floral Friday.

Next are a couple of flower close-ups, taken with my Sony camera. It helps to have a setting for macro, or close-up shots. I was going after contrasting colors. 

Weekend Reflection: Yesterday I drove by the boat landing near Eastham Park and noticed this view of the Shenandoah River.

Earlier this month I shared pictures of this fence. Later I found out that not only was jazz musician John Kirby from this area, but long before that, Heyward Shepherd lived here. His home is gone but it is described as being on land now owned by Stephens Jazz Club. Oh, perhaps you don't recognize his name. He was the first man shot by John Brown's raiders in Harpers Ferry.

Mr. Shepherd was a free black man working for the railroad when he was killed in 1859. 

Fences: Here's another fence, a rail fence with an open gate.

Skywatch: Today's closing picture is a sunset, looking west from Skyline Drive.

Have a good weekend!