I opened the front door yesterday and almost stepped on this guy, traversing our welcome mat. A Northern Rough Greensnake, common across the Atlantic coastal plain, but camouflaged such that you don't spot them often. They're insect-eaters, harmless to humans, fairly docile, and dweller in anything green - tall grass, shrubs, trees. Photo Credit -…Read more Look, Ma! No Legs!
Images
Wisteria
These purple curtains don't last long, and they're quickly fading now. But for a brief period each spring, wisteria vines produce hanging chandeliers of stacked purple flowers. Their nectar attracts many insect pollinators, and also serves as an ambush location for predatory wasps who lie in wait for the nectar-seekers. The flowers are also edible…Read more Wisteria
Maryland Sunset
Not much to add to this, other than it's nice, on a spring/summer evening, to wind down with a view like this!
Turtle Races!
I actually think these two were enjoying spring, if you catch y drift... I rudely interrupted them getting ready to cross a bike path Saturday morning after a night of hard rain.
Not All Bad
Camping this weekend - rain, thunderstorms. Coming down pretty hard. But hey. the dogwoods are blooming! (Note: in a rare twist, I got this posted on Instagram over the weekend, but not here! App has some limitations.... so catching up while on travel).
Hollins Mill Dam
The timing of this pic was not planned, and I honestly just thought it turned out funny - the son standing is throwing rocks, NOT trying to attack his innocent, distracted brother. Hollins Mill Dam is one of the scenic highlights found biking along the James River Heritage Trail (Blackwater Preserve), a rail-trail in downtown…Read more Hollins Mill Dam
Hairy Woodpecker
I know I have been putting a lot of bird pictures on here, but enjoying "catching" new species. This Hairy Woodpecker is sitting in the low branches of a beech tree, obviously looking for a higher perch!
Peaks of Otter
Easter Sunday, one of the boys is racing a water bottle through the rapids on the creek at Peaks of Otter, near Bedford, VA. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott
Gray Squirrel
Even though I'm pretty sure this is the culprit that now has one of my bird feeders in a nest high up in an oak tree, you can't stay mad at a face like this! Photo credit - Lynn Abbott
They’re Back!
This guy landed on the wrong side of the branches for a true closeup. Just during the past week, the Ospreys have descended on the central Chesapeake. I hear them constantly, and see them, suddenly, everywhere. This one is staking out the beach at Myrtle Point. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott
Flying Tiger
Caught motion out of the corner of my eye Saturday night, just in time to watch this guy swooping up to his perch on top of a snag in the neighbor's yard. It was about half-hour after sunset - only his stillness and a long exposure enabled seeing this much detail (notice the star in…Read more Flying Tiger
Horseshoe Falls
You don't always have to venture into the wilderness to appreciate the power of nature, and just because millions of people have seen it doesn't make it not worth seeing it yourself. The power of Niagara Falls is truly awesome, here looking at the Canadian Horseshoe Falls from the top of Skylon Tower. The entire…Read more Horseshoe Falls
Akaka Falls
Another from Hawaii. Akaka Falls, near Honomu, is a narrow fall that plunges into a lava well. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott.
Rainbow Falls
This one isn't so dependent on our temperate spring wet season and those April Showers, but it's still beautiful, and fits this week's impromptu theme. Rainbow Falls, outside Hilo on the Big Island, Hawaii. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott
Muddy Creek Falls
April Showers bring waterfalls! This is Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park, MD, taken by my son on a Scout trip last year about this time. Waterfalls are a fun, beautiful reason to get the whole family out - even the little folks are awed by this sort of thing after a short…Read more Muddy Creek Falls
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 