Photos during Hurricane Irene at Greensprings Interpretive Trail, Virginia

Photos taken of the Greensprings Interpretive Trail in James City County near the area of Jamestown and Greensprings near Williamsburg, Virginia.  These photos were taken after approximately 12 hours of rain and wind due to Hurricane Irene.  During a calmer band of the storm, we ran out with the dogs who had been in the house most of the past day.  We timed our trip during a slow down in the storm.  Before making it back to the house, the worst part of the storm began to arrive which caused the most damage and knocked out power.  The water at this time was about 1 foot above where I have seen it previously.  Along the footbridge crossing the main pond, the water was about a foot high under the bridge which is usually not under water.  The main pond was flowing rapidly.  Please compare photos to previous blog post which shows the area prior to the storm arriving. 

Large pool of water along Main Land Farm at about 6:30 pm Saturday evening

Greensprings Wetlands from footbridge which crosses from Trail to Virginia Captial Trail

Main Land Farm during Hurricane Irene adjacent to the Virginia Captial Trail

Main overlook from footbridge along the Greensprings Interpretive Trail

water standing about 8 to 12 inches above normal during Hurricane Irene at Greensprings near Williamsburg

Puppies taking a look at a small tree down along Greensprings Interpretive trail during Hurricane Irene

Greensprings Trail Calm before Hurricane Irene

Photos capturing the Calm before the storm known as Hurricane Irene.  Life along the trail this August 2011 hours before the storm moved into the area of Jamestown/Williamsburg, Va

First clouds start to arrive before Hurricane Irene reaches the Jamestown/Greensprings area of Williamsburg, Va

Main pond area from the footbridge crossing over the wetlands at Greensprings Interpretive Trail

Main Land Farm near Green Spring and Jamestown, Va before Hurricane Irene

Deer drinking from the wetlands at Greensprings Interpretive Trail before Hurricane Irene

Gully near Jamestown High School along Greensprings Interpretive Trail in Williamsburg, James City County before Hurricane Irene

Main pond of Greensprings Interpretive Trail before Hurricane Irene

An Abundance of Rain

After more than a week of "Isolated Thunderstorms" the region has seen over 6 inches of rain.  Two of those fell from Friday to Saturday.  The portion of the wetlands which can be seen from the footbridge overlook welcomed the rain. 

Main Land Farm - July 2011

On Saturday morning, I ventured out to see the pond overflowing rapidly as well as the areas especially those under the Virginia Capital Trail boardwalk, rapidly flowing into the wetlands to replenish the drought-like conditions that were already at this time of year beginning to occur. 

Water Saturday Morning pouting into the wetlands from the Greensprings Road side of the park

An abundance of water after over 6 inches of rain, two having falling over the early morning

Pond at overlook refilled after this weeks rain and thunderstorms

Egret near overlook footbridge

Mushrooms growing along Main Land Farm

Blacksnake making his home in a fallen tree earlier last week

Fawn on the wetlands pond

Dragonfly - I never knew there were so many types.

I have been out walking or biking the entire length of the Greensprings Trail and portions of the Capital Trail several times over the past couple of days.  The construction area is as ugly as ever.  Gathering the photos for the "Protect Main Land Farm" I was saddened to see how much of a change there is to our little corner of the world. 

An abundance of Blue and White

This past month has been great for observing both Great Blue Heron's and Great Egret's on the wetlands of Greensprings Interpretive Trail in Williamsburg, near Jamestown.

"Baby" Great Blue Heron

This weekend I observed this little fellow out having a lunch on the wetlands.  Having recently seen Great Blue Heron's from the footbridge, I spotted this little guy for the first time.  While I was watching him, two very large Great Blue Heron's flew in to the left side of the overlook.  My guess is that they have a nest in the area protected by the trees and vegetation from the traffic along the footbridge.

Summer Flowers

What Turtle?

Fawn on the Wetlands