Blandy’s Golden Grove

Boyce, VA

Ginkgo leaves have turned yellow at Blandy Experimental Farm, a research station for the University of Virginia. Blandy is also home to the State Arboretum.

When I first started coming to see this golden wonder in 2014, it was uncrowded and practically unknown. In recent years, it has become locally famous, probably due to glorious photos on social media. Even on a weekday, it’s crowded. Most people park a quarter mile away and walk through the Arboretum, but there is adjacent parking for people with mobility challenges, or even pushing baby strollers.

These photos are from yesterday. I picked up Frank, leaving Charlie with Deborah since she had things to do and seemed quite willing to exchange her brother for my dog, at least for the afternoon. We found that the leaves were almost totally yellow, but there are still small traces of green. Many people were there and most were taking pictures. Some folks were dressed up to have their pictures taken in this little patch of paradise.

These children are picking up leaves in order to toss them in the air, just as their dad clicked the shutter. It took a couple of tries, but they finally followed the script perfectly!