An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

November 20, 2010

Back to the Swamp

Last Saturday I returned to the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail with my son and our bikes. As I have mentioned in other posts, the fall colors here have been unusually spectacular so I was hoping we would see some on our ride. We did, but I had forgotten that the predominant tree species on this trail was Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) whose fall color is strikingly similar to its spring, summer and winter color. However, there were enough Red Maples (Acer rubrum) and Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) to punctuate the green.
Dismal Swamp Canal Nov. 2010

Red Maple


Toll Taker's House (2)


In my previous post I spoke about how the water from the Great Dismal Swamp was valued by sailors for its long shelf life. I valued the mirror-like reflections coming from the black surface.

Canal Reflections (6)


Canal Reflections (8)

Canal Reflections


Canal Reflections (10)


Canal Reflections (7)


Canal Reflections (9)

15 comments:

ks said...

How exquisite these images are .. even though it pales by comparison with that of my friends in the east, I am so grateful to live where there is a distinct autumn.

Randy Emmitt said...

Les,

Thanks for the tour, its been years since I was in the Great Dismal Swamp. Loved the red tree reflection in the water!

How It Grows said...

So when are you going to exhibit your photos?

Mac_fromAustralia said...

Wonderful photos. The reflections are beautiful. And they call that place Dismal Swamp??

Phillip said...

It is anything but dismal - very beautiful.

Janet said...

Great photos --as always Les. Love the reflection of the foliage in the water.
Can't imagine drinking that water though....ugh
and I agree with Phillip, your photos should be exhibited.

Pam/Digging said...

So beautiful! I love seeing your images.

danger garden said...

Mirror-like indeed! Fabulous photos..

Benjamin Vogt said...

Oh Les, you made my day. Colors have been normal this year, vs. last year's amazinglyness (new word!). Love those shots of the water.

p3chandan said...

The reflections are so beautiful, with the fall colours captured against the deep blue sky! Great shots!

Fleurish said...

What a beautiful Autumn!!! So wonderfully captured! Thank you!

perennialgardener said...

Your photos are gorgeous, especially that first one. :)

sweetbay said...

Loblolly Pines do tend to look the same a lot of the time, don't they. :) The Red Maples and Sweetgums made up for all of that green though. So beautiful and glowing against the deep blue sky.

compost in my shoe said...

Love the colors against the blue sky. Fantastic shots!!

Denise said...

Love it when you visit the Dismal Swamp!