Sunrise in the Big Meadow

Sunday June 14, 2015                                                                                                           Previous Post Link:
Big Meadow Campground                                                                                                      The Fantastic Rose River and Dark Hollow Falls
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

 

 

 

At dawn I walk down from the campground to the Big Meadow. 
I’m there to see the sunrise and to experience the meadow in the quiet and cool of the morning.

 

 

Sunrise is at 5:45 AM.
Color is just coming into the sky turning the dark to blue and pink and gray. 
These pictures are taken looking at the western sky.

 

 

Not sure what made this photo look so surreal.

 

 

In no time the bright oranges appear in the east.

 

And here comes the sun.

 

 

 

 

It casts a bright light on the meadow turning it gold.

 

The pinks in the sky fade.  The clouds hold on to the color for just a bit longer.

 

 

The golden glow makes everything and everyone in the meadow look magical.

 

 

There are multiple varieties of grasses in the meadow.  Some are easier than others to photograph.

 

 

The sun moves slowly across the meadow enabling me
to photograph the dew on many of the plants.

 

 

 

This fellow is welcoming the day with his cheery song and looks like he may have a wet head.

 

The pinks fade, the yellow sweeps across.

 

Bambi and her mom are out this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

The golden glow moves toward me.

 

 

 

There are many animal trails through the meadow.  I take this one just to see where it goes and to experience being closely surrounded by the plants that make up this community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The golden color fades and the greens of the meadow
show their shades as my path moves deeper into taller grasses and plants.
None of these paths are man made.  They are all animal paths.

 

I only walk through the tall plants for a while, they are still damp.  I follow  another path over to a birch tree.  One of the few trees actually in the meadow rather than lining it.   I love artistry of birch bark and the view of the meadow through the trunks.  I’m sure this is a popular spot on hot days although the meadow is surrounded by the cool shade of the forest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The skies have turned blue, the clouds puffy when twin fawns and their mom come along.

 

 

Checking out both directions.

 

What a glorious sight these two are.

 

Fly poison is currently one of the most visible flowers in the meadow with its showy white spikes.
There is actually quite a bit of milkweed here but it isn’t quite in bloom yet.
It will be stunning when it is.
Hope I’m here to see it.

 

 

 

 

 

There are many singers this morning.  These are also song sparrows Judy tells me, I misidentified them as white throated.  So glad I have commenters to help me out. 
Thanks Judy.   Their music floats in the air.

 

 

 

I spend about two hours of the early morning here. 
When other people start to come out,
it’s time for me to go after one last look across the distance.  

 

 

I take the trail from the Visitor’s Center which overlooks the meadow,
back through the woods to the campground.
Along the way I watch this little fellow digging and digging. 
I assume he’s burying things but it’s really hard to tell
as he moves all around the area sticking his head in the ground.

 

 

 

He does this over and over in multiple spots.

Chipmunk comic relief!

 

 

What a magnificent way to begin the day.
And all in walking distance from my front door.
Lucky Me!

 

THE END!