Caturday, Caterpillar, Ducks

This week was good to me as far as photo subjects. A cat posed for me, so I have something for Caturday pet art.

I was also fortunate to find a colorful caterpillar. There’s even a tiny bug in the picture.

Ducks are fun to see and the light was right for reflections. 

 

Summer Flowers, Luray

The red roses against a red wall looked shockingly bright to me, so I tried a monochrome version. Which do you prefer? 

(Garden Post #780)

Skywatch: Hot Air Balloon

Would you like to ride…?

Hot air balloon tours are offered in the Shenandoah Valley. Once in a while, I look up and see one, usually at dusk.

Birds Fly Over the Rainbow

Look closely to see the birds.

 

Lost Bottoms Sunflower Maze

Edinburg, VA

Lake Arrowhead

Yesterday I mentioned Lake Arrowhead. Here are some more pictures of the lake. There was a light rain so the beach was not crowded.

This lake is near Luray and features swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking. You can see it from some overlooks on Skyline Drive.

Mosaic Monday 

 

The View from Lake Arrowhead Road

Page County

When I spotted this mural, I was excited because I collect mural photos and I like seeing old barns. Let’s take a closer look. There’s a tractor, cows, a farm couple, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

I was very pleased at having found a subject that had two of my frequently photographed categories. I said, “All I need now is a country church.” Then I glimpsed a parking lot through the trees and slowed down and sure enough…

Morning Star Lutheran Church

The reason I was on that road was a brief visit to photograph Lake Arrowhead.  I can post those pictures another time but here’s a preview.

Deer in a a Drizzle

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park

The mountains called me during the rain again. It was more of a drizzle than a storm, but the feeling of being above the clouds is magical.

I stopped at the Dickey Ridge Visitors Center. A couple of deer were grazing next to the bike racks. They were accustomed to people, and the buck let me walk (slowly) within 12 feet of him. I took quite a few pictures of him, so for variety I’m posting a painterly version.

The park was lovely and the views were great so I drove south to the next exit. I saw a couple more deer on the way. I was hoping to see a bear from the car but no luck.

Strasburg in my Mirror

Seen from a Parking Space

Today was a nice day in Strasburg. I don't advise going there tomorrow unless you are browsing the Yard Crawl. People will be selling stuff in booths uo and down the Valley Pike in Shenandoah County. Traffic will be slow.

Finding a Rainbow

We have had plenty of hot days that hosted a late day storm. Right after the storm passes, there's a pretty good chance of seeing a rainbow. The other day I needed something at the store and waited for the storm to end before I ventured out. The sun was shining again, and it was the right condition for a rainbow. I caught a glimpse of one to the east and pulled off to a place where I could get a clear view of it.

There was a convenient parking lot behind the fitness center, and I could position myself with the sun on my back. Typically that’s the way you see a rainbow: Sun behind you, moisture in front of you. Sometimes I created one while washing the car.

This is actually a double rainbow but I don’t know if you can see the outer arch.

House Finches in a Tree

 

Pilgrimage to Orkney Springs

Blog Post #8025

Tuesday Treasures / Mosaic

When we lived in Bryce Resort, I went to Orkney Springs often. I have over 80 blog posts tagged Orkney Springs. That small town was once a busy health spa, back in the days when people came to drink and bathe in mineral waters. Also, the cool mountain air was refreshing in the summer before buildings were air-conditioned.

I made a brief pilgrimage there the other day. I barely visited the outdoor cathedral when rain started to move in.

This little pond is brown because it is fed by an iron rich spring.

New Mural in Berryville

A mural is being painted on a building on Main Street in Berryville. The artist is Nancy Polo and the business is Homespun, her family’s farm-to-table restaurant.

Since the mural is in an alley, I could not get a good view of the whole thing. I took a panorama shot with my phone but it comes out looking curved when it flattens out.

Monday Murals / Blue Monday 

This is the first time I have seen a Certificate of Appropriateness. Apparently the town is trying to preserve the charm of its historic district.

Please excuse the reflections from the glass.

Church with Farm Views

Wakemans Grove

Shadow Shot Sunday 

When I saw this Brethren Church today, I did not know whether I had photographed it before. Now I see that I posted it in 2019. That time I approached it from the opposite direction, so it looked different.

The clouds were putting on a show this afternoon because a rain storm was coming but was not visible yet. The church is in farm country west of Edinburg.

The final shot is a barn that’s near there.

Visit Tom’s Barn Collective.