Daylight savings time is not yet here, and so the evenings come early, and the water is COLD (about 40 deg F / 4.4 deg C), but it's hard to pass up a strong March breeze. The spring season is officially underway - maybe, finally, an indication of normal life returning.
St. Mary’s River
Westward Bound
Keeping up the sailing theme - the "Dove" was the smaller of two ships carrying those who founded the colony of Maryland in 1634. It took an act of courage to venture across the Atlantic.
Silent Winter
The muffling effect of snow, the hibernation of animals, the calm of a cold morning. The world is holding its breath waiting for the warmth to return. A snowy forest would have conveyed this nicely - but the sight of all these paddleboards waiting idly in the snow, next to a frozen river, is also…Read more Silent Winter
Patterns in the Ice
The frozen surface of a tidal river - the ridges and patterns that form with the push and heave of changing tides are really interesting. Almost like a terraced garden. The Arctic in minature? Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott
Ice Boats?
The sailing fleet is stranded, and there are no ice boats around to take their place. It's so rare to see this (brackish) river frozen over, I guess nobody thought they'd be needed! Photo credit - Lynn Abbott
The Dove
In 1634, two small ships, the Ark and the Dove (replica shown here) landed on a small island in the Potomac River and thanked God for a successful voyage, marking the first Catholic spot in the New World. The voyagers then sailed back downriver, and found a place to settle, establishing the colony that would become Maryland, at…Read more The Dove
St. Mary’s Wilderness
East of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, but west of the main Blue Ridge, there's a jumble of rugged mountains marked by cliffs, steep-sided gorges, and crystal clear streams. This area contains the St. Mary's Wilderness, the largest Wilderness Area in Virginia, and one of my favorite spots for over 30 years. Like most designated Wilderness Areas,…Read more St. Mary’s Wilderness
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 