Lake Yellowstone Killdeer

wildlifehub

This killdeer was patrolling the shoreline of Lake Yellowstone, spending most of its time on the semi-submerged rocks just beyond the shore.

View original post

Waiting Behind The Leaf

This spider spun its web across the leaves of some aquatic vegetation and then sat, waiting behind a leaf for its breakfast to arrive.

Cardboard Boat Regatta

Normally I keep to one photo per post but I decided to make an exception for the 2013 Lake Of The Woods Cardboard Regatta.

Several weeks ago my nephew participated in the cardboard boat regatta.  The rules are simple enough.  Each boat must be homemade and can only be made from cardboard, tape and paint.  The boats are judged in several categories and then races are held by age group.

In the below photo, taken before the races, you can get a sense of the various designs.  They ranged from very simple to rather complex.

In the youngest category the S.S. Lake Monster proved to be watertight but was too wide for this young rower to maneuver.  She maintained a good attitude and eventually a swimmer pushed the boat the length of the course.

My nephew rowed his boat, Sea Bear, to first place in his age group.  Needless to say we were all very proud.

These boys, dressed in elvish costumes, piloted Smaug, which was not much more than a large, painted box.  Unfortunately about 20 yards from shore the structural integrity of Smaug was compromised and it collapsed and sank.

This young lady successfully completed the course in her boat, Boatrfly.

Noah’s Ark had to be the most elaborately designed boat in the regatta.  It stood about 4′ high and was about 7′ or 8′ long.  It did well in the pre-race judging, getting lots of points for style and originality but proved to be less-than-seaworthy.  Here you can see it beginning to take on water.  Sadly Noah’s Ark went under before finishing the course.

In the adult category the U.S.S. Monitor was an interesting entrant.  The boat capsized and lost it’s turret mid-way through the course but the paddlers righted it and managed to finish the race.

Hokie Boat started off strong.  It was way ahead of the competition until it began listing and sank.

Yellow Flowers By The Lake

These yellow irises are growing near the edge of the lake at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  In the background is the Conservatory which has something blooming 365 days a year.

Steaming Stump

When I arrived at the edge of the lake, this stump was absorbing the sun.  As the dark wood warmed snow was converted into a small cloud of steam.  As a result, this photo shows all three forms of water:  frozen (snow), liquid (water), and vapor (steam).

Fall Morning in Deep Run Park

Early Saturday morning I walked through Deep Run Park in Henrico County, Virginia.  I wanted to be there while that magical, early morning light blanketed the trees and whatever I might find beneath them.  I nearly passed this scene but fortunately stopped long enough to notice it.

Resting On One Foot

This Canada Goose stands on one foot with beak tucked under its wings, while it rests in the shallow water.

Off the High Dive

The high dive at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA offers swimmers a thrill as they escape the heat.