Tell Me A Story June 2019

Rosewell Ruins 

Gloucester, VA

June 2019

I belong to a women's photography group on Meet-up. Earlier this month we met at the Rosewell Plantation Ruins in Gloucester for a photo shot. Construction of the Rosewell mansion began in 1725 by Mann Page I and was completed by his son in 1738. The house had 33 rooms and 17 fireplaces. The main building did not include the kitchen or laundry room. These rooms along with a smokehouse and ice house were out buildings. After construction was completed it was "the largest mansion in Virginia and one of the finest homes in America." In 1916 the mansion was destroyed by fire.

Front View

Back View

Left Side View

Right Side View

Woodland Box Turtle

Not sure where this little guy was going, but he wasn't getting anywhere fast. 

The property had so many Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies. So very pretty. 

Ice House Ruins

Nature reclaiming its own. 

So many nocks and crannies. I wish the walls were stable enough to be able to explore the basement. 

One of the many dragon flies around the property, but hard to get close enough to photograph.

Common Whitetail (female) Dragonfly

A local painter painting the mansion ruins. 

This little guy was thinking if he got low enough I wouldn't see him. He didn't want his picture taken. (I think he's a Broad-Headed Skink)

Here is the link to with a brief history of the plantation. 

For more photo stories head over to LUPJi's page. 

Tell me a story - May 2019

Chincoteague Island & Wild Horses

Sometimes it's fun being a tourist in your own back yard. Earlier this month a friend in D.C. had friends visiting from Germany who wanted to see wild horses and other places in Virginia. I entertained them at my home for a few days with several day trips. One day trip was too Chincoteague Island where we took a 2 hour cruise to find wild horses.

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Gulls waiting for chum from a fishing boat

One of the many egrets 

Eagles nest

Fishing for breakfast

Chincoteague Lighthouse

 

A few horses were brave enough to come out, but many stayed in the shrubs. 

Bald eagle, first one I have seen on the east coast. 

Mare with this years offspring. They run the horses across the channel twice a year for auction. Many of the foals are sold, but some in name only. 

On of the many stallions. A few of his mares are close by. 

Keeping an eye on his mares. 

Rounding up his mares before they stray too far. 

Sending his mares back to 'safety'.

Making their way home. 

Osprey nesting on a duck blind. Despite the hunters tearing the nest down come fall the birds return in the spring to rebuild their nests. 

Another herd 

 

 Each horse has a name and number. All are looked after by the local vet. Absolutely beautiful creatures. Next time I go back I will go the the National Park and hike along the trails for a close up encounter.

Continue to Mindy's page for more stories.

Tell Me a Story - April 2019

York River Stroll

Saturday was supposed to be windy and rainy, so when the rain past by mid morning I thought about going to Yorktown for their Sister City French Festival. I did make it too Yorktown, but the festival wasn't as inviting as the boardwalk along the river.  Camera in tow I headed down the boardwalk for an afternoon stroll.  

George Coleman Memorial Bridge (Hwy 17)

Alliance Schooner

Head over to Kim's page for more Stories.