Woodstock Pond Trail

My recent return to York River State Park.

MALB

Recently discovered this little guy (gal?) on a soybean plant along the Powhatan Creek Trail. Like so many things in nature's bounty, I find it almost impossible to identify specific species. So many variations!

Fascinating article here. Well, at least I found it so. :-) May have solved the identification problem for me: 

"Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles (MALB) are a beneficial insect that often feeds on soybean aphids.  In the last few years soybean aphid populations have not been very high, but in 2023 there have been some isolated areas with high populations.  As a result, some fruit growers have seen increases in the populations of MALB." -- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Powhatan Creek Trail

 

 

One of my favorite scenes along the Powhatan Creek Trail.

Feather

Well, the High Knob Tower Trail was an adventure. It's not often that we lowlanders are able to climb to such heights. So now it's back down to hikes a little closer to sea level. In this case, it was a section of the Virginia Capital Trail where I spotted this fairly common sight. Can you guess which kind of bird it once belonged to? I can't. My guess, though, is that it belonged to a fairly large bird. A hawk maybe?

Brumation

I like the challenge posed by photographing snakes in the wild. They're just such elusive creatures. This one, too, almost got away from me along the High Knob Tower Trail before I could swing my camera into place for a shot. I can't tell for sure, of course, but I feel almost certain it will be my last such catch in this season before brumation.

High Knob Wildflowers

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

 

Observation Deck

Views from inside the High Knob Fire Tower's observation deck.

High Knob View

View from the High Knob Fire Tower

Inside

Inside the High Knob fire tower. 

Mind your step. Lots of bat guano.

Joining Skywatch Friday.

Fire Tower

 

Nearing the Summit

Decidedly rockier near the summit.

With various kinds of vegetation trying to hang on in what can be, I think, a pretty harsh environment.

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Private Property

 

The High Knob Tower Trail in the George Washington National Forest borders private property in places.

1021

There often comes a moment when you're hiking summit trails when you begin to wonder how much farther you will have to hike to reach the top. This was one of those moments, especially as I began to ponder what possible meaning should be attached to the number "1021." Usually, distances on these signs are indicated in miles. Or, occasionally, I've seen references to feet. Sometimes, though, trail signs will indicate elevation above sea level. So what was I to make of "1021." I still don't have any idea, although I suppose that 1021 feet to the top can't be ruled out entirely. But if that was the case, then why not just say so?  In any case, I just pressed on, mystery in mind.

Trail Ornaments

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Trail Signs

 High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

High Knob Tower Trail

The High Knob Tower Trail, part of the Great Eastern Trail, lies west of Harrisonburg, Virginia, on the border with West Virginia and in the George Washington National Forest.

Joining Skywatch Friday.

Going Down

I found going down the Hightop Mountain Trail as interesting as going up.

Summit

Hightop Mountain summit (3,587 ft/1,093m)

Shenandoah National Park

 

Peek

Nearing the summit of Hightop Mountain here, with just a peek at the view beyond. 

Snag

Hightop Mountain Trail

Shenandoah National Park