Trips: Shenandoah Spring 2017

Spring 2017 witnessed a splendid display of wildflowers and redbuds thanks to the abundant rainfall.  The waterfalls were gushing and the annual rebirth that was spring was at its most vibrant.  A collection of this spring's waterfall images are found in the prior journal page.

Spring's Wait
Spring Wait

Spring's Wait. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A springtime drive along the Skyline Drive
Spring Skyline Drive

A springtime drive along the Skyline Drive. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Native azaleas are found throughout Shenandoah National Park.
Native Azaleas

Native azaleas are found throughout Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Elkwallow is a special place, with great animal habitat, quiet and picnic grounds.
Elkwallow

Elkwallow is a special place, with great animal habitat, quiet and picnic grounds. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Native Azaleas color the forest understory.
Spitler Knoll Overlook

Native Azaleas color the forest understory. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

One of the great views of the Shenandoah valley can be found from Big Run Overlook in the South District.
Big Run Overlook

One of the great views of the Shenandoah valley can be found from Big Run Overlook in the South District. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A black bear hunts for food in the waning light of a spring evening.
Spring Bear

A black bear hunts for food in the waning light of a spring evening. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

One of the great eastern overlooks in the southern district of Shenandoah National Park.
Doyles River Overlook

One of the great eastern overlooks in the southern district of Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A black bear forages in the twilight of spring.
Feeding Bear

A black bear forages in the twilight of spring. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A young fawn learns at birth to stay still, enjoying the benefits for the first few months of being essentially scent-free.
Fawn Introspection

A young fawn learns at birth to stay still, enjoying the benefits for the first few months of being essentially scent-free. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A bear cub looks for mom, and food.
Black Bear Cub in Spring

A bear cub looks for mom, and food. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A doe gives birth with a live audience.   It is a miraculous experience watching the birth, mom cleaning her newborn, and nursing...
Minutes After Birth

A doe gives birth with a live audience. It is a miraculous experience watching the birth, mom cleaning her newborn, and nursing for the first time. It reminds me of time years ago, as a young boy, watching calves be born on my grandparents' farm. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Moments after being cleaned and nursed for the first time,  just 20 minutes after birth, I present to you the newest, prettiest...
Cleaned and Nursed

Moments after being cleaned and nursed for the first time, just 20 minutes after birth, I present to you the newest, prettiest fawn in Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

In a few select areas, redwood bloom in spring in Shenandoah National Park.
Redwood Bloom

In a few select areas, redwood bloom in spring in Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Spring Twilight Over Little Stony Man Mountain.
Stony Man Mountain

Spring Twilight Over Little Stony Man Mountain. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A spring fog and clouds give way over the cliffs on Shenandoah's west face.
Lifting Spring Fog

A spring fog and clouds give way over the cliffs on Shenandoah's west face. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A stunning approach to Stony Man mountain from the north, Skyline Drive curves gracefully, flanked by colorful flowers in summer...
Hughes River Gap

A stunning approach to Stony Man mountain from the north, Skyline Drive curves gracefully, flanked by colorful flowers in summer, foliage in fall, and, now in spring, drifting fog and gentle spring light. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Layers of fog flow across the ridges below Buck Hollow.
Buck Hollow Overlook

Layers of fog flow across the ridges below Buck Hollow. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Only the highest peaks of the blue ridge peak above the flowing fog.
Islands in the Fog, Buck Hollow

Only the highest peaks of the blue ridge peak above the flowing fog. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

like islands at sea, the highest peaks of Shenandoah's mountains rise through the growing fog.
Distant Islands

like islands at sea, the highest peaks of Shenandoah's mountains rise through the growing fog. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A new dawn breaks over Big Meadows.
Springtime Sunrise at Big Meadows

A new dawn breaks over Big Meadows. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A lone pine stands astride a nearby ridge as dawn breaks.
Springs Sunrise Near Big Meadows

A lone pine stands astride a nearby ridge as dawn breaks. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Redbuds line the Skyline Drive
Redbuds On Skyline Drive

Redbuds line the Skyline Drive. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Fog frequently shrouds Skyline Drive
Spring Drive in the Fog

Fog frequently shrouds Skyline Drive. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

In the northern district of Shenandoah National Park
Redbuds and Spring Wildflowers

In the northern district of Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Redbuds and dogwood grace Skyline Drive.
Spring Colors on Skyline Drive

Redbuds and dogwood grace Skyline Drive. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

There is an ebb and flow, up and down, rhythm to Skyline Drive that in all seasons affords different perspectives on the beauty...
The Drive

There is an ebb and flow, up and down, rhythm to Skyline Drive that in all seasons affords different perspectives on the beauty of Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A grove of redbuds in the fog of an approaching spring rain.
Redbuds in the Fog

A grove of redbuds in the fog of an approaching spring rain. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Dogwoods and redbud provide early spring color on Skyline Drive.
Dogwoods on the Drive

Dogwoods and redbud provide early spring color on Skyline Drive. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A young cub has spent the night in this tree.  Morning has come.  But it has been a long wet night.
Bedraggled Bear

A young cub has spent the night in this tree. Morning has come. But it has been a long wet night. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

One of the finest displays of redbuds can be found near the northern terminus of Skyline Drive.
Gooney Moods

One of the finest displays of redbuds can be found near the northern terminus of Skyline Drive. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

In spring the textures and abstract patterns of spring.
Spring Redbud Palette

In spring the textures and abstract patterns of spring. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

The soft early light greets the sea of fog that surrounds Stony Man Mountain and the other nearby ridges and mountaintops of...
Dawn Break With Flowing Fog

The soft early light greets the sea of fog that surrounds Stony Man Mountain and the other nearby ridges and mountaintops of Shenandoah National Park. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A dogwood blooms in a spring rain.
A Friend's Dogwood

A dogwood blooms in a spring rain. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

A hillside of blooming redbuds signal Spring has begun its final ascent of Shenandoah's mountain slopes, though even now in the...
Gooney Manor Overlook

A hillside of blooming redbuds signal Spring has begun its final ascent of Shenandoah's mountain slopes, though even now in the highest elevations most trees are only just beginning to leaf out. In the distance lies the northern reaches of the Shenandoah Valley. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.

Hundreds of redbud sprout on the well drained slopes of Gooney Manor.
Gooney Manor Overlook II

Hundreds of redbud sprout on the well drained slopes of Gooney Manor. Photo © copyright by Ed Fuhr.