Thursday, May 9, 2019

Happy Thankful Thursday!


Happy Thankful Thursday!

A few days late celebrating, but hubby and I went on a quick overnight trip to Shenandoah National Park. We seem to arrange a trip every anniversary. On May 4th it was our 29th anniversary. We spent the night in Harrisonburg Virginia, which is about a half hour drive to the Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park.  

These are some images from the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah Nat'l Park. We start off in Front Royal Virginia, the northern section of the drive.

We drove south on the drive to the Doyle River Waterfall trail at the 81.1 mile marker on the Skyline Drive. 



Appalachian Mountain views from one of the Skyline Drive overlooks.


A view of the sky around the parking lot at the waterfall trail.  Bird sounds were coming from every direction.  


The next two photos are the American Redstart, the male is pretty with his black and orange colors. 






I am not positive but I think this is the Red-eyed Vireo. We saw and heard a lot of birds in the area around the trail. 


The trail to the waterfalls, there is an Upper Doyle River falls and a lower Doyle River Falls. Round trip to the falls, it is 3.3 miles. Hiking back was hard on the legs, all up hill and steep in places. 


Our first view of the Upper Doyle River Falls, here it looks like there is two sections of the falls. 



Unknown wildflower seen along the trail.  Any help with the id is appreciated. UPDATE: thanks to my friend Donna on facebook, I have the id on this flower. It is called Galearis Spectabilis or commonly known as Showy Orchis. A native plant found in the Eastern USA.


A view of the Upper Doyle River falls, this was a view further down the trail. It showed three sections of the falls. 


The male Scarlet Tanager is a beautiful bird and I believe they breed in the park. 



I am thankful I am able to go a hike, to enjoy nature. 
I am thankful for my hubby!
I am thankful for all your visits and comments. 


Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday



Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!

35 comments:

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Fotografias fantásticas e de grande beleza.
Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,

Beautiful images from your trip! The waterfalls are very pretty.
I'm afraid that I don't know the flower, but it looks like a orchid to me. It was very beautiful. I hope someone knows the name of it.

Happy Thursday!

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Fantastic photos of what looks like a lovely place to walk around in. I love waterfalls. Great birds there, too.

Natalia said...

Wow, your pics are stunning, love nature so much☺

RedPat said...

What a lovely post, Eileen! Thank you.

Barbara Rogers said...

Thank you for posting such lovely photos of your hike, and thus I get to enjoy it without my legs doing the work! Great bird photos too! Your wildflower sighting makes the efforts worth so much, and shows the early spring you're enjoying. Congratulations on anniversary too! Have a great day!

Small City Scenes said...

Beautiful flower looks similar to Lady Slipper seen out here in the woods. Excellent views from the overlooks. Pretty birds
MB

Cloudia said...

Your friendship is such a gift to so many of us I'm sure, Eileen! Thanks you for the sanity in a time of stress. 22 days to moving home to Honolulu!

Nancy J said...

Wonderful views and a trail between the tall trees, so inviting. Happy Anniversary , and to celebrate there would have been extra special.

Lady Fi said...

What a beautiful way to celebrate! Lovely shots.

Bill said...

The views, falls and path are very nice places to walk and explore. Happy Anniversary to you.
Enjoy your evening.

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Some stunning views to see there and wonderfull to see that waterfall

Bob Bushell said...

Lovely pictures, and what an anniversary, the 29years.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! And that's the perfect way to spend it. When we had our motorhome we took a trip on Skyline Drive and really enjoyed it! So many scenic places to stop and hike! Love your bird pics and that beautiful flower! Enjoy your afternoon!

Rose said...

You captured some wonderful views...and I love that flower.

Lowcarb team member said...

Many good wishes for your 29th Anniversary.

So nice to see your photographs - those views looked lovely - but all of your photographs were nice to see.

All the best Jan

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Happy anniversary, and beautiful photos! I love those shots of the waterfall.

Laura. M said...

Einstein decía " Mira profundamente en la naturaleza y entonces comprenderás todo mejor" Muy cierto. Gracias por esos regalos Eileen. Me encantan las cascadas.
Un abrazo.

Joyful said...

The views are stunning, the greenery so beautiful, the waterfalls refreshing and the birds so wonderful. Happy Anniversary to you and your husband Eileen. You picked a beautiful place to celebrate.

HappyK said...

Beautiful pictures full of fantastic colors.
Happy Anniversary a little late.

Michelle said...

It has been quite a few years since I have been here, but I love Shenandoah National Park. Such a place of beauty. Thanks for linking up and Happy Anniversary!!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Such a beautiful place to go, I love the falls. I have never heard of a redstart so I learned something from you.

Congratulations on your Anniversary. My wife and I had our 29th last September.

Nanda kumar said...

Wow! Beautiful nature. The falls are splendid

Photo Cache said...

Beautiful waterfalls. I hope someday I get to explore the East Coast too.

Worth a Thousand Words

italiafinlandia said...

Happy Anniversary!
Thanks for sharing views of this great place...the Orchis is lovely.
Enjoy your days!

Anonymous said...

Happy belated anniversary to the both of you!

Your photos are truly beautiful!

Natalia said...

Also wishing you a lovely weekend, I am following, greetings from Poland ☺

Debbie said...

happy anniversary to you and your other half!! the views there are so beautiful, i would love to go, but still have not!!

all of your pictures here are exceptional!! i love the views of the waterfall and that pretty pink/purple flower!! and the tanger too, it is a beauty!!

Lea said...

Beautiful photos!
Congratulations on your anniversary!

Phil Slade said...

Greetings from Menorca.Happy Anniversary Eileen. That was a lovely way to celebrate your day with such a beautiful scenic place. With birds too. How wonderful.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Maybe my next, long ride.

Lovely place

Sketchbook Wandering said...

Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos. I have fond memories of Skyline Drive from childhood...

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Happy Anniversary, Eileen! I love the waterfall photos and the forest orchids are so precious!

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely sky shots with the puffy yet whispy clouds`

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

William Kendall said...

The waterfalls are a delight!

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