Blue Ridge Spring

I live very close to Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Each spring I try to take a morning drive in one of these areas, preferably on a bright spring day just as the trees are leafing out when each species is a different pale green. 

 Looking North into the Shenandoah valley

On May 4th I took just such a ride along the southern third of Skyline Drive.  It was one of those bright blue sky fluffy cloud days when you could see all the way to West Virginia.

 An Open Meadow Hillside

The ground was a verdant green anywhere it was open ground but most of the bush understory has yet to leaf out.

  Haze Thickens as the Day Warmed

The clouds were gone by about 10 am and the haze started to obscure the distant hills.  The forsythia were just beginning to bloom in this small meadow.

Shenandoah Valley in the Distance

Spring tends to highlight the various micro-environments with the National Park.  The trees in the middle distance have barely started to leaf out.

 Another View Towards the Valley

Two miles further up the road the hills were a patchwork of new green leaves.  This meadow also had wild flowers blooming their little pea picking hearts out.

 Three Views of Spring

At this overlook the bushes in the foreground are leafing out, the hills in the background are very green and the little hills in between are still bare brown.

These next 3 pictures were taken from one spot.  I just turned in place at the edge of the parking area.

 Looking South & Uphill

This hillside is still winter brown.  A few understory bushes have put out a few leaves and the tips of some of the tree branches are budding out.

 Looking North & Uphill

The understory bushes are partially leafed out and the trees are into leaves rather than just buds.

Woods at the Parking Lot Edge

In between the little hills the grass was green, the understory was well leafed out and the trees were filling out nicely. 

It was a nice relaxing drive.  I saw a few deer and several hawks.  Deo Gratis