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

Spring on a Monday

There is a beautiful color or green that can only be found in nature in the Spring when everything is new.  The colors of the trees and the surrounding area are as bright and brilliant as they will be all year.  The canopy is really filled in after last weeks rain and a few warm days.  This morning I thought I caught a glimpse of a Bald Eagle.  While I have heard them and seen them at Jamestown Settlement, I thought I saw an Eagle this morning.  There are several pairs of Osprey over the wetlands.  Today there were five Great Egrets who were "courting" with what looked like a game of leapfrog.  One bird would fly a bit and then another would fly in to say hello.