Snowy Day with Birds

Wild Bird Wednesday.

We finally had a nice snow yesterday. Although the forecast only called for one or two inches, we got twice that amount. It started around 10 AM, and I had a dental appointment at 11. I took a few pictures before leaving, and cardinals and juncos obliged me by hanging out under the feeders.

When I left the dentist's office, I had to sweep an inch or two of snow off my car. It was coming down hard so I canceled plans to go shopping, although I did stop at the bank on my way home. Roads were slippery and I slowed for a blocked lane where a policeman was assisting a motorist whose car had slid off the road. I was relieved to make it safely to our subdivision.

Once home,  I stationed myself at a window with the trusty old Nikon that has a zoom lens. Some Canada Geese flew overhead and I got ready to catch them landing. Yes!

Our view was beautiful. Trees were frosted with snow, geese and ducks floated on the lake, and birds visited my feeders, including a downy woodpecker.

Frank walked out in the yard to get a closer look at the spectacle. I was content to stay indoors, glad that we had gotten the outside of the windows cleaned a month ago so that my photos were clear.

In late afternoon, the snow stopped and the sun came out.

Winchester's Historic Rose Hill.

Rose Hill Park in Winchester is on part of Kernstown Battlefield. It is popular with both Civil War buffs and citizens who enjoy walking or jogging on the trail.

Civil War Trails signs tell the story of Rose Hill.

Rose Hill 

“I do not recollect having ever heard such a roar of musketry.” 

 — 1862 Valley Campaign —  

"The First Battle of Kernstown, on March 23, 1862, was also the first major Civil War battle fought in the Shenandoah Valley. Throughout the morning, 16 Union cannons on Pritchard’s Hill held off Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s overmatched Confederate command. Relying on intelligence that was soon proved faulty, Jackson not only attacked a force that outnumbered his by 3,000 men, but also tried and failed to dislodge the Union guns by direct assault."

This was the beginning of Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign and his only defeat in the Valley.

 Read the rest of the marker on Historical Marker Database.

War in the Backyard.

"Young and recently bereaved of both his father and his wife, William Wood Glass was living at the house when the 1st Battle of Kernstown, March 23, 1862, occurred in his backyard. Not surprisingly, his house was used as a shelter for wounded soldiers."

More on HMDB.
 

Rose Hill. Sharing with Tuesday Treasures.

(Note: These photos are from my archive. For pictures of Tuesday's snowfall, please check back on Wednesday evening.)

Today’s Weather: Snow.

In Warren County, Virginia.

Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday.

Frog Valley and Cacapon

Near Berkeley Springs, WV

Monday Mural: We visited Frog Valley Artisans a couple months ago. The colorful frog mural is on the exterior of the building.

As you can see, there was color everywhere! (Note the tie-dyed sheet on the ceiling.)

Since it was late October, even the trees were brilliant.

Mosaic Monday: The last collage shows pictures from Cacapon State Park. I took these in January a year ago. 

A Church in Front Royal and Farms in Bentonville

Church of the Rock is on Virginia Avenue in Front Royal, Virginia. I don't know the age of this brick building but it does not look very old.

Brick is a popular building material in Virginia, for clay is plentiful. Brick is believed to have made in the state as early as 1612.

Let's leave Front Royal and drive southwest for 11 miles to the small town of Bentonville. Here we'll follow Rocky Hollow Road toward the South Fork of the Shenandoah.

Across the river is the Massanutten Range.

For more barns, visit the Barn Collective.

To see more churches, visit Inspired Sunday.

Wildlife in the Library and on the Lake.

Saturday's Critters.

Today the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center brought some rescued animals to the Samuels Public Library for a presentation about what animals do in the winter. A crowd showed up including eager children excited to see the animals.

Like many of those kids and their parents, I took cell pictures of the animals, which included a wood turtle, a screech owl, an opossum, and a fox. There was also a tiny bat and a squirrel in a cage.

Unlike the other animals, the beautiful white fox is not native to Virginia. It's an Arctic Fox that was removed from a hoarding situation by animal control and taken to the wildlife center because they are one of only a handful of places qualified to take in wild animals.

Although this gorgeous fox looks very friendly, it's rather shy and was happy to go back in a crate.

Meanwhile, Back at the Lake.

The Bird Depot.

From our deck I can just barely see the great blue heron when he's standing by the dam. When I zoom in using my old Nikon, I see him better.

These images are not only zoomed, they are also cropped. It's a good zoom but not this powerful.

Weekend Reflection.

By the way, there was mist rising from the lake. It really dimmed the zoomed-in shots. I made it disappear by making a duplicate layer in Photoshop and choosing a blending mode that cleared our view of the heron and his duck friends.

The Environment Matters.

Willy Nilly Friday.
 

1. This artwork represents an Australian flag. Our hearts are with the people and animals of Australia who are dealing with devastating wildfires. 

(Seen at Outback Steakhouse.)

Whether you agree with the scientists who tell us that climate change has made the wildfires more widespread, you cannot claim that air pollution should continue at present levels. As reported by the BBC, around seven million die from air pollution every year. Research also shows that students do worse on exams on high-pollution days! Worse yet, several studies show that crime increases on days when pollution is worse.

I don't know how any caring person can say that we don't need to bring pollution down drastically.

2. Let's turn to plants and their beauty. We don't have flowers blooming outside right now but I paused at a display of flowers in a supermarket. How sweet they are!

Friday Bliss and Floral Friday.

3. Virginia State Parks had events on New Years Day including First Day Hikes and a photo contest. It was a nice day, quite warm for winter. I took some pictures at Shenandoah River State Park.

4. My selfie came out sun-struck, with rays streaming over may face. I ran the picture through a couple of filters in Photoshop and added a vignette. 

5. I have photographed the view from Cullers Overlook many times. It is worth paying the small fee to enter the park just to see this view.

6. The park visitor center was open and busy. They provide information, exhibits, and restrooms.

The small waterfall in the next picture is actually inside the visitors center.

7. This sign quotes Theodore Roosevelt:

"We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune."

Evening Skywatch.

Crescent Moon, Gainesville, VA.

At Wegman's.

Country Fences Near White Post

These scenes are in Clarke County. There are farms and ranches around there, so we often see horses.

The seasonable decorations are inflatables, and the little brontosaurus is a tribute to nearby Dinosaur Land.

Sharing with Fences and
Little Things Thursday.

Don't Climb on the Bike.

Front Royal, VA: This sculpture of a bicycle can be viewed from the paved path that runs from Skyline High School to Eastham Park. A plaque tells us that John Urbanski is the artist.

I parked next to the school to walk on the path, taking advantage of the fact that school was out for vacation so plenty of parking was available. 

Previous Post (2016): A Walk Near Skyline High School.

I stopped by the car wash in order to put a few items in the Blessing Box. A notice is taped to the side of the box titled "Thermal Shelter." It makes sense that homeless people might find the sign on a box that provides free food.

Thermal Shelter provides spaces for homeless people to spend cold winter nights at various churches in Front Royal. The locations rotate but a pickup point (316 North Royal) stays the same.

Sharing with Signs, Signs.

Photo of the Year 2019

City Daily Photo Theme Day.

It was hard for me to choose a single picture as "Photo of the Year."  I post several photos a day so they add up.

I decided on this one from Shenandoah National Park. It is one of my favorite places, a place that brings me a sense of peace. As you can see, it has beautiful views.

People from all over come here. The people in this picture are probably local, since the Shenandoah Valley has a significant Mennonite population. To me, their pretty traditional dresses remind me of spirituality, and these mountains offer a spiritual experience if you are willing to seek it.

Wishing you peace and comfort in this new year!