Still Catching Up

I realize there have been an odd variety of posts here lately. That’s because I am still playing catch-up, and I am not necessarily doing so in any particular order. When I come across something or things I meant to share, I share them. Hopefully that’s not frustrating or annoying.

Bird Interestingness

Did you know that Chimney Swifts like our town of Warrenton, Virginia? That’s because there are lots of old buildings with masonry chimneys in which they can roost. In Fall, when the birds gather in large flocks in preparation for migration, sometimes hundreds will roost in one chimney.

I happened to catch this flock settling down at day’s end while walking my dogs on October 11, 2017. I’d only seen it one other time.

Early in the video, you’ll see one or two birds dipping into the chimney if you watch closely. Then, about two-thirds of the way through, you’ll clearly see more entering the chimney.

If you’d like, you can read a bit more about Chimney Swifts here.

A Different Kind of Bike Ride

Early in 2017, Hubby bought himself a nice new bicycle to use for exercise. He rides pretty much every day, often before daylight. There’s a trail very close to our house, so he doesn’t spend much time on the street.

Late last year, he tuned-up my bicycle so I could join him on some rides. Not for exercise, but for fun.

Aren’t we cute?

One November day, we drove north to Leesburg to ride a portion of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad trail. It’s a paved, 45-mile route along the former roadbed of the W&OD Railroad, which runs through the urban heartland and into the Virginia countryside. There’s even an adjacent 32-mile gravel horse trail. Nifty, eh?

It was a fabulous Fall day, as you’ll see in the pics below.

Mike riding through a tunnel of color.

 

Cows reflected in a pond. How could I resist?

 

It really is a nice, level path.

My favorite artsy capture from that day is below.

Muddy, confused turtle.

I did move the turtle off the path after I finished exploiting her or him for my own selfish amusement.

We hope to do some more bicycle riding soon. That probably won’t be until later in the year when temperatures cool back down.

Mini-LOVE in Warrenton

I was happy to get my log page of Virginia LOVEworks updated yesterday. That was LONG overdue. But I forgot to add this pic from right here in town.

Belle and K

That mini LOVEwork is at Ciao Bella Celebrations on Ashby Street.

Fun in San Diego

I really do have lots of fun pics from San Diego to share. Here are just a few…

The Poseur

 

One of many murals in La Jolla.

 

OMG, how true is this?

 

Captured in a Pacific Beach (PB) bar.

 

Grumpy Pup

That’s it for now. We’re about to embark on a motorcycle ride, before it gets hot. Temps are supposed to be around 90 today.

More later!

7 Replies to “Still Catching Up”

  1. I used to run on that or a nearby section of the W&OD during an early lunch break at work. Loved that trail. The canopy of leaves made the section near my job particularly lovely.

  2. Wow, that many birds just give me the creeps!

    Great pics all around! If you’re ever up for a trip to a bike ride, check out the Virginia Creeper trail in Damascus or Abingdon. So fun! You can take a bike shuttle up to Mt Rogers (I think that’s the right Mt) and then ride back downhill. 😁

    1. Lynne, you should hear it when a few are in your chimney! The VC trail has been on my list. The problem is, the road that roughly parallels the trail is a great road (US-58), so if I go down there, it’s most likely on the motorcycle! We want to do the trail in Farmviille, too. It’s closer. The BC trail does look fun, though. And I think it is Mount Rogers.

      1. Yes, 58, and all the roads around it, are fabulous! That is the dilemma! We rode there on the motorcycles and then rented bikes to do the VC! 😁

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