Early Spring in the Blue Ridge /  by Dave Hileman

Along the back side of Old Rag Mountain in Central Virginia is a portion of the Shenandoah National Park that is a bit “out of the way” from most who visit here. You must make a decision to find this spot. I don’t recall the name of the stream but the beautiful lime green colors of the new foliage and the sounds of the rushing waters were a delight on this afternoon. We did not have time to hike the short distance to a waterfall, next time for sure.

Peonies /  by Dave Hileman

I’m getting a flower education from Jill. These are found at the Winterthur House and Gardens in Delaware. Stunning. Both the place and the flowers. More to come. Lots!

Dreamy Thoughts /  by Dave Hileman

For me, there are few better places to think than by the sea. The rhythm of the waves, the chatter of the gulls, the breeze and the scent of the salt spray just put me into a spot where wonder and renewal lead to introspection and new ideas. Love the wonder of what God creates in both nature and our minds.

Rare /  by Dave Hileman

I was so fortunate recently to photograph this skeleton of an ancient rhino that had washed up on the beach at Chincoteague NWR in Virginia. Not much is known about this long extinct creature but only a few of them have been recovered so well preserved and nearly the whole structure is intact. By now I am sure the Smithsonian has acquired this so look for it someday in the Natural History Museum.

Not Just Tacos, No, No. /  by Dave Hileman

These are tacos arranged by a food designer for a photo shoot at a restaurant in Clermont, FL. Walking into the area, I noted that the food designer was putting the final touches on this trio, lights were set, plate in place and I asked could I take a quick shot, she said, of course. So when you see my photo, or rather a photo that looks like mine but likely a bit better, on a menu you will know why it feels so familiar. It will have nothing to do with the fact you have eaten several hundred tacos over the years.

Eclipse Watcher /  by Dave Hileman

He was intent on the sky and did not barely move. He is in front of one of the latest of the art installations at the art museum. I do not know how they keep it clean!

Gordonsville, Virginia /  by Dave Hileman

Gordonsville is a small town northeast of Charlottesville and I lived near there for 9 years, My sons both started school in town and I was for three years the president of the PTA. We had friends in the village as well as members of the church I served and so we were here often. It is starting to gather more shops and restaurants and I am glad as it is a neat place with a vital Civil War and railroad history. This is just one of the shops, a very nice art gallery on the main street.

Portrait Project # 28, 29 /  by Dave Hileman

Meet two very nice bird watchers. Jill and I were walking at the Seven Islands Birding Park along the French Broad River near Knoxville and were on our way back to our car when we came across Danielle and Mark. I helped them Identify a Northern Flicker that was a long way off using my telephoto lens. They were glad because, I believe. it was a new bird for the couple. They later saw 30 species including an Orange-crowned Warbler. I wish I had been with them then as I have only seen one of those in all the years of watching. Danielle and Mark were delightful and we were glad we encountered them and they posed nicely for my portrait project. Good Birding to you both.

1910 (three photos) /  by Dave Hileman

This is another set of photos from Montpellier Station in Orange County, Virginia. Montpellier was the home of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. In later years, before it was donated to the National Trust, it was the home of Marion du Pont Scott. The “Scott” is her her famous husband’s name, Randolph Scott, of early western movie fame. Mrs du Pont held steeple chase races here that were free and I was able to attend of the last ones that she held. The du Pont family owned the property since 1900ish and had the station built. It is now a property that you can tour both the house and the extensive grounds. The station was added around the turn of the 20th century and served the area for many years. It is now restored to the Jim Crow era of about 1910 and you see the separate (and most definitely not equal) entrances to the waiting rooms.

And across the street

Portrait Project # 27 (two photos) /  by Dave Hileman

At the North Carolina Museum of Art many people gathered to enjoy the stunning day and small “eclipse parties” were scattered all around the extensive grounds. I had fun talking photos of the people gathered and talking to some of them. This is Steven, he “organized” one small cluster of folks and I found him to be generous with his time and with the extra glasses he had with him at the event. He insisted I take a pair to see the spectacle. And I did. After I asked to take his portrait and he agreed.

For Sale? /  by Dave Hileman

This old fruit stand is found on the highway at the bottom of the mountain from Luray, Virginia, just outside the village of Sperryville. It appears to have been here a long time and certainly was once a good stop for fresh fruit, eggs and information. Not sure what the painted strip was to represent, looks like a sort of flag?

Portrait Project #26 /  by Dave Hileman

Meet Mike, the Balloon Man. He was at the North Carolina Museum of Art on the day of the eclipse. I asked him if I could take a portrait and he readily agreed. His balloons delighted folks and it was fun watching children chasing the balloons until the inevitable pop.

One More, I promise... /  by Dave Hileman

but fair warning, I am heading out for a trip to two or three famous gardens in a few days so…

Anyway, this is my first effort to photograph a flower inside where I controlled the light and the arrangment. These tulips were given by a friend of Jill’s following KnoxCAM’s annual concert at Cedar Springs Church on April 21st. They were such a striking color and I took a couple to shoot this photo. I enjoyed “staging” the angles and placement of the two flowers. I thought the gentle bends and the foliage behind each blossom worked well. I would liked to have a bit more of the bottom leaf but the vase intruded into the photo and if I raised the flower it lost the bend I was trying to keep. So a compromise. It was a fun experiment but I think I could do a lot more with this type of shot, better backgrounds, more arrangements, different lighting et al. So, perhaps some more of these later this year. Suggestions? Ideas welcome.