Sunday, July 14, 2013

Shenandoah Nat'l Park

  I am linking up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday .

July 14, 2013

Yesterday I posted that it was my 4th blog anniversary so today starts the beginning of my 5th year of blogging. And this post I am sharing last weekend's daytrip to Shenandoah Nat'l Park.  Shenandoah is one of my favorite places to visit, we hiked my favorite Limberlost trail, we saw lots of birds, we saw a baby bear along the Skyline Drive and some pretty views of the mountain ranges and Shenandoah Valley.


The mosaic above includes the view of the mountain ranges, a baby bear, Brown Thrasher, fungi, bunny, and an Eastern Towhee.


A baby bear we saw along the side of the Skyline Drive. I did not see it's Momma, I hope she was nearby.


Above, I included some of the wildflowers I found in the park.


This Brown Thrasher was taking a dirt bath along the Limberlost trail.


Not sure what these are called but I thought they looked pretty.


The Eastern Towhee was seen along the Limberlost Trail. Other birds seen and heard were the Hooded Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Vireo's, Tufted Titmouse, Veery, Ovenbirds, Dark-eyed Juncos, Indigo Bunting, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Turkey Vultures and Cardinals.


In this mosaic, there is a view of the valley from the Appalachian Trail, a Scarlet Tanager and going home stuck in traffic I shot a photo of the Shenandoah River at Harpers Ferry.


A view of the Shenandoah Valley seen from the Appalachian Trail.


A Scarlet Tanager was one of the birds we saw along the Appalachian Trail. We also saw a couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. We had a fun day at the park, seeing the wildlife and the pretty views of the mountains. I was wishing we had arranged an overnight trip I was not ready to go home.


Our ride home on Rt 340 takes us close to Charlestown WVA and thru Harpers Ferry. Above the traffic came to a stop on the bridge over the Shenandoah River in Harpers Ferry. The view is pretty where the Shenandoah River meets up with the Potomac River in Maryland. My second blog post back in 2009  Tubing the Shenandoah River was about our fun trip tubing down this river.

I hope enjoyed my post on Shenandoah Nat'l Park. Thanks for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.
Join in on the fun and for more wonderful photos please visit  Mosaic Monday and more from  Our World Tuesday
 Thanks to our host: Mary our host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer.  I wish everyone a happy week!

69 comments:

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That was lovely! One time near the Oregon Coast we watched a baby bear for quite a while and then I actually started to worry that the mamma was nearby and wouldn't like us being there (I was selfish, thinking of myself instead of the baby!)

The scarlet tanager is absolutely wonderful and my favorite today among all the wonderful pictures.

Suzan said...

All of your pictures are beautiful!! Do hope that little cub has a Maw Maw - he looked a bit scrawny! The one and only time I was in Harpers Ferry was in 1977. It was beautiful and I've always wanted to go back!! Such a nice drive.

Carole said...

Beautiful post! What a great variety of wonderful sights. It's always a thrill to see a baby bear in the wild.

debra @ HOMESPUN said...

I love all of the photos and I am glad that you did not see the baby bear's mama in case she would want to come after you! :)

How special to see him though...

like magic..he ( or she ) is so little and precious

Merlesworld said...

I can understand why you like it there, it is a lovely place.
Nice to see the baby bear not so sure I would want to see the mother.
Merle............

TexWisGirl said...

haven't seen a thrasher since i left wis. have never seen a towhee or a tanager! dangnabbit! :) cute little bear!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Bear is awesome and that red bird amazing ~ Fantastic shots ~ beautiful! as always!

happy week to you and thanks for comments ^_^

Elizabeth Edwards said...

congrats on starting your 5th yr of blogging .. that is super cool. great views. ( :

love all the blooms. i'm loving the "scarlet tanager" what a gorgeous bird.

Lynne said...

Always such beautiful pictures with you.
The Scarket Tannager . . . BRILLIANT color!

A Garden of Threads said...

Amazing photos, I have never seen a Scarlet Tanager. Awesome!!!

Amy Burzese said...

So many sights on this trip! The Scarlet Tanager is so pretty. I would be so excited to see it.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful place with such lovely birds and flowers. Keep blogging, I just love it.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Again, you are in my neck of the woods--Harpers Ferry is only about 20 minutes from me (did I tell you I'm in Lovettsville?) and it's one of my favorite places to visit. I've never seen a Scarlet Tanager, and your photos of them are just stunning! There are a lot of bear sitings by friends, and I've not seen one of them either--I hope that little one did have a Mom nearby.

I hope you enjoyed your Sunday--The heat gets turned up on us this week...I can't wait... not.... :-)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

You two have so much fun together --just like George and me. I wish we lived close enough to enjoy Skyline Drive and those trails up there --and the Shenandoah Valley. SO gorgeous....

Hugs,
Betsy

Lorrie said...

This looks like a beautiful park to visit. All the wildlife is amazing - the bear, the dirt bathing bird, the scarlet tanager - great shots! Have a wonderful week.

Beyond the Dog Dish said...

Such wonderful finds. The little bear looks so tiny and vulnerable (not for long though). I too hope his Mom was near.

diane b said...

Beautiful scenery in the mountains. I read a book about the Appalachian Trail and then thought it sounded a great place to visit. Love the scarlet bird.

Irma said...

Hello Eileen.
How wonderful to see a baby bear.
The other pictures are also very beautiful.
Regards, Irma

Diana Taylor said...

What a wonderful blog post and such stunning photos. As a child my mum's favourite book was the Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter - I wonder if it's the same place - it's such a beautiful and mysterious name I always thought.

Nortehanon said...

Congratulations on your blog! 4 years is such a great accomplishment in blogging. Keep blogging for many more years and keep sharing the beauty of your surroundings.

Elaine said...

Gorgeous!

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Beautiful collages and pictures.. Congrats.

Stewart M said...

This is a part of the world I'd like to see on foot.

One day perhaps.

Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

Carole M. said...

lovely scenery; I wonder how close you were to big Momma bear! The white flowers are very pretty and those birds, wow! Lovely scenery too; great post Eileen

Maggie said...

I so enjoyed visiting the park through your eyes this morning, stunning scenery and amazing photography. Congrats on your anniversary.

Sue said...

Well, congrats on another blogging anniversary!
And great photos. It made me realize we have seen neither the thrashers or the towhees this year. Perhaps they decided to go there-LOL!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

What a beautiful place. You have photographed it so well. I have long wanted to visit that area.

Reader Wil said...

I enjoyed the hike in your surroundings. The photos are so beautiful and interesting, that I think I repeat myself over and over again when I say this.
Have a happy week and thanks for your visit.
Wil,ABCW Team

Lea said...

Beautiful country!
Great photos!
Congratulations on your blog anniversary.
Have a wonderful week!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Anonymous said...

I can see why this is your favorite place to explore. SO much to see and enjoy!

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Fantastic photos of this special park. Beautiful flowers and animals. Great !

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Eileen Lovely selection of shots in your post today and I loved seeing the baby bear and the Scarlet Tanger. Margaret

Maria said...

Wonderful collages and montages; yes, I like them all.

George said...

Thanks for taking us along with you to the Shenandoah National Park. We've been there a couple of times, and really like it as well. We also saw a couple of baby bears (with Mama) along the Skyline Drive. You got some great pictures.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Ooh the mountains are just gorgeous- wish I was there! Lovely captures!

Bob Bushell said...

Oh Eileen, I love the Black Bear cub, they are beautiful.

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Awww, what a cute baby bear! That would have been amazing to see in person. Maybe a little scary too though!

DIMI said...

Hallo Eileen!!
What a lovely place!!!Amazing views!!!Wonderful collages photos!!!That baby bear looks so cute!!!Thank you for sharing!!Have a lovely week!
Dimi..

Anonymous said...

Fabulous shots -and a very happy Bloggiversary!

Jannibele said...

Thanks for always taking me on such wonderful and interesting journey through nature! A bear...wow...

DeniseinVA said...

Wonderful post on an area that is dear to my heart. It mut have been exciting to see the baby bear and those beautiful birds were really neat. Great scenery also and great photos as always. Thank you Eileen!

Fun60 said...

Loved the photos of the wildlife especially the baby bear.

Poppy said...

Happy 4th blogiversary, Eileen!! The views of the valley are simply stunning; they take your breath away. How lovely that you can capture such shots of all the wildlife!

Poppy

Marcia said...

What a lovely day you had in the mountains. I haven't been their in ages but no the bridge over the Shenandoah very well. You had some gorgeous shots.

Arija said...

That scarlet tanager is such a bright bird. Congratulations on your first four years of blogging, I have just finished my fifth and it has been such a fun ride.
A lovely outing with so much to see, even when the traffic banks up. I too hope the momma bear was nearby.

Leovi said...

Wonderful pictures, how beautiful flora and fauna of this wonderful park!

Carver said...

Great shots. My favorites are of the baby bear but they're all wonderful.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great pics and such a variety from bear cubs to closeups of bears to big expansive views. Thanks for taking us along.

Magia da Inês said...

⊱✿✿°

·.¸.•♪♪
Belo passeio com imagens muito bonitas.

Boa semana·..¸彡
♪♫° Beijinhos·..°♡♡
°❤❤ Brasil✿✿·..

Joanne Olivieri said...

What a gorgeous view and some great shots. Love the baby bear and that scarlet tanager is exceptionally sweet. Fantastic post.

Kusum said...

Lovely account. I love that cute baby skinny bear! I haven't been too East coast much, but sometimes ...

The Furry Gnome said...

Wonderful pictures of a wonderful place.

Indrani said...

Lovely sights from your trip. You present them so well. The baby bear looks cute.

Meghana Hassan said...

Wonderful series of photographs...

Birgitta said...

Such beautiful and great pictures!

Lew said...

Delightful trip! I suspect that if you had got out of the car Mama Bear would have shown up quickly.

Faye said...

Love being able to "join" you on your hikes, Eileen. You find such a fantastic variety of nature scenes and wildlife. I really study your bird photos to help with ID skills! :-)

Irene said...

A wonderful blogpost ... Beautiful country, hope to see more of it some day. I really enjoyed the trip.

Irene

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen,
Your photos of wildlife are always breathtaking♡♡♡ The baby bear is lovely and we won't be able to see the wild one except Hokkaido p;) Thank you very much for sharing wonderful nature from your trip.

Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

NatureFootstep said...

the name sounds like a fairytale. And it looks like it too. Gorgeous places you have close to you. :)

Molly said...

I love the image of the big floaty clouds, feels like it was taken on top of the world

Mollyxxx

SandyCarlson said...

Happy blog anniversary! Your photos are wonderful.

Anonymous said...

What amazing photos! Congratulations on that blogiversary!

Anonymous said...

What a thrill it is for me to see the beautiful mountains and wildlife while looking over your shoulder- Your photos are great Eileen.

Life Images by Jill said...

Congratulations on your 4 years blogging. Always a delight to go walking and birding with you Eileen.
Many more happy blogging years ahead for you. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by my blog on Monday.

Pondside said...

First of all, congratulations on the blog anniversary! Then....Shenandoah - what wonderful images that conjures up, and your images were a great accompaniment. The song is going through my head! I was also interested to see you refer to the Limberlost. When I was a girl I visited an elderly relative who had a bookshelf full of old books from her own girlhood. Among them was one that has always stayed with me - Girl of the Limberlost. Funny about that!

Mia McPherson said...

I love this post even though it makes me homesick!

Linda said...

Great post! The tanager is spectacular! And I am jealous that you saw the bear cub. We live only 20 minutes from Skyline Drive and I've glimpsed a couple of bears there but never a cub.

Unknown said...

Such lovely shots. Thanks so much for taking us along on such an awesome nature trek.

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Autumn leaves are nature's way of showing us how beautiful it is to let go....