June brought cool temperatures and rain to Shenandoah, which provided just the opportunity I have been looking for to explore South River Falls. These waterfalls have a very limited observation tower across from the falls so I have wanted for some time to hike a couple more miles down and back up to the foot of the falls. It was a great hike. The mountains were lush. The laurel were blooming. The water was flowing. There was a gentle rain blowing. It was a great time for a hike in Shenandoah. It was so great I also did a quick short hike to Dark Hollow Falls. Here are a few of my favorite photographs and images from that day in mid June.
A great maple has stood the test of time and elements by South River Overlook. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
Two small groves of trees stand in balance as Big Meadows quickly greens in spring. In a couple of months these trees will provide important shelter to deer and other animals who raise their young in this meadow. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
In May thousands of mountain laurel bloom along stretches of Skyline Drive and many of the higher rocky ridges of Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
Planted in the 1930s, a tower of mountain laurels shows off its rosy pink and white colors in late May. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
Days of rain in June 2012 and heavy fog create a magical time at South River Falls. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
The abundant cascades on the approach to South River Waterfall are beautiful and soothing on this foggy June morning in 2012. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
The lush green of the canopy around Dark Hollow Falls creates the perfect setting for this beautiful waterfall in 2012. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
Dark Hollow Waterfall is perhaps even more spectacular in black and white. This image has consistently ranked as among my popular Shenandoah images, perhaps because there is a sense of eternal truths and solitude that can often be found, if briefly, in the quiet of Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.
Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.