Tag Archives: landscape photography

thanksgiving in the valley

December 20, 2014life in photos50mm lens, bokeh, canon eos rebel xs, dinner, dog photo, family, landscape photography, november, shenandoah valley, snow, thanksgiving, virginiaLeah

We spent Thanksgiving at my stepmother-in-law’s house in the Shenandoah Valley. Daniel’s dad grew up in this area, so he took my sister-in-law and I on a walk down to the river. The town was quiet, blanketed in fresh snow.

At about this point on the walk, I realized I couldn’t feel my toes.

They have a lovely dog I enjoyed petting while we waited for the turkey to finish cooking. Donna, the aforementioned stepmother-in-law, makes delicious brussels sprouts with bacon, which I greedily ate with a heaping mound of mashed potatoes.

shrinemont weekend ’14

September 29, 2014life in photosepiscopal church, friendship, George Washington National Forest, landscape photography, nature photos, photos, shrinemont, virginiaLeah

In the beginning of July, Daniel and I headed out with friends from church to attend the annual congregational get together at the Episcopal campground that borders the George Washington National Forest. It’s taken me forever to get to posting these, because on the way there, our car broke down (RIP) and the rest of July was spent either car-less or in Florida to buy my grandparents’ car (thanks, Grandparents!).

I had a most relaxing time despite the stress of losing a vehicle. We played literary games, sang gospel songs in three parts, read on the covered porch, ate s’mores, and went on a very educational hike thanks to the presence of an ecologist and a former geology major. I fell in a creek, got bitten by a horsefly, and overheated a bit, but that’s part of the joy of summertime!

The weekend could not have been better.

april flowers

April 16, 2014Uncategorized50 mm lens, april, canon eos rebel xs, charlottesville, dogwood, floral, flower photo, flowers, landscape photography, macro, virginiaLeah

This journal has turned into a place for photos and little else. I talk plenty in everyday life, but I haven’t felt the need to reiterate here. I’ve always journaled in some form or the other, but with access to various social media platforms, I have so many ways to have my voice heard or reflect on my day in small phrases and brief conversations. Maybe I need long form, but maybe the quiet is fine, too.

Charlottesville went from black and white to vibrant technicolor in the past few weeks. I’m enjoying the spring blooms as much as I can because I know they’ll give way to lizard green leaves in a few short weeks.

snow days

January 22, 2014Uncategorized50 mm lens, canon eos rebel xs, charlottesville, landscape photography, snow photography, snowstormLeah

Winter is a cold, dimly lit waiting room. But sometimes it snows and that makes it seem worth it for a little while.

hiking at Shenandoah

November 4, 2013life in photosadventure, appalachian trail, blue ridge mountains, christianity, fall photography, hike, landscape photography, outdoor, shenandoah national park photosLeah

hk6 I went on a 5 mile hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail that runs through Shenandoah National Park with friends from church on Saturday. It’s one of the best things I’ve done all year. We stopped at overlooks along the way to rest and read some Psalms, and on the last stop we shared in the Eucharist. One of the girls said that the hike felt like a prayer. I agree. Thank God for this place.

I-64 lookouts

October 30, 2013life in photos64 scenic lookouts, blue ridge mountains, charlottesville, fall, landscape photography, photography, valley, virginia, waynesboroLeah

I-64 boasts 2 lookouts between Waynesboro and Charlottesville. Since it’s a divided highway they’re only accessible going east from Waynesboro, so I have to wait until I have reason to head out that way to take in the view. This week I remembered to bring my camera along on a thrifting excursion, so I stopped at both lookouts on my way back home.

What a lovely fall day!

I asked the Century Link man who was stopped with me to take my photo. Thanks, Century Link man!

It’s days like these that make me fall in love with Virginia all over again. I’m lucky to live here.

Click on any image to see an enlarged version.

at the skyline

July 31, 2013life in photosblue ridge moutains, charlottesville, day off, friendship, landscape photography, national park, roadtrip, shenandoah national park, skyline drive, summer, virginia photography, wildlifeLeah

Taylor and I became fast friends this summer. She’s moving to Georgia at the end of the week and I wanted the chance to meet her husband, newly arrived from Wales, before they departed. I took the day off and we all took a trip to Skyline Drive.

We saw wildflowers galore, dozens of butterflies, bees harvesting nectar for Wildflower Honey, deer, a turkey, a groundhog, and panoramic mountain scenes. We even got the chance to stop in to the Visitor’s Center to purchase some memorabilia; while perusing the gift shop, we witnessed a Junior Ranger excitedly – and somewhat bashfully – getting sworn in. We clapped for the new ranger, exchanged group photos with a family parked at one of the overlooks, and marveled, once again, at the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains.

madison county, va

July 28, 2013life in photos, Uncategorizedcharlottesville, country living, countryside, frienship, hound dog photograph, landscape, landscape photography, madison, madison county, rural america, southern, virginia, wood crateLeah

We took a trip out to Madison to meet up with my friend, Taylor, before heading to a local peach festival. She lives with her mom, three dogs, a couple cats, and some feisty goats on a few acres surrounded by mountains and lush Virginia countryside. I’m so glad I got to see it before she moves to Georgia next week. I’m going to miss her a lot. But it’s ok because we bought friendship crates at the (otherwise lame) festival!

baine’s scottsville

July 8, 2013life in photosalmond milk, baines books and coffee, baines scottsville, chai latte, coffee shop photos, coffee shop review, folk music, james river, james river brewery, landscape photography, martha bassett, piedmont, scottsville, virginiaLeah

Earlier this year, my friend and her partner helped open a new coffee shop in downtown Scottsville. When she texted me Saturday to invite me to see musician Martha Bassett (and awesome upright bass player, Pat) at the shop, I jumped at the chance to finally visit Baine’s.

The shop is beautiful, with a freshly installed wooden counter top and custom bookshelves full of a broad assortment of texts on Virginia living, religion, and childhood. Scout made me an iced chai latte with almond milk (both the chai concentrate and the milk are made from scratch at Baine’s). It had a complex flavor – spicy, cold, and smooth – and was perfect as a subtle dessert drink with a chocolate chip cookie.

After we finished our drinks, my friend took us on a brief walking tour of Scottsville right as golden hour settled over the landscape. We headed down to the James River, then walked the levy path back to the downtown area.

After the show was over, we all walked over to the James River Brewery tasting room for local craft beer with the band.

skyline drive

June 1, 2013life in photosbird watching, blue ridge mountains, butterfly, deer sighting, insect photo, landscape photography, mountain storm, shenandoah national park, skyline drive, the great outdoors, virginiaLeah

Took a trip down Skyline Drive this afternoon. We saw prehistoric mountains, buzzards, and insects. We experienced storms that were there, then gone in a flash. We saw birds we’d never seen before. We stopped for a doe and her baby.