Most often I photograph nature and wildlife in natural settings without any evidence of humankind or our creations. This means I most often walk over boardwalks as a means to an end. And yet, boardwalks can be beautiful in their own right, as I hope to show.

Early one morning I was photographing into the sun on the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk in Woodbridge, Virginia, when a jogger ran into my frame. Instead of waiting for them to pass out of view I decided to create some images with them in the frame. I liked the idea of including a person on the boardwalk. Looking back I do wish I’d captured a moment when they were more separated from the tree in the background, but this was the best pose of those I captured.

A couple years later I was once again on the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, this time before sunrise during blue hour. It was a quiet, contemplative moment, one I’m happy to have experienced. This is actually almost the same view as that above, but with a very different look. For those of you who’ve been with me for a while you may recognize this photo from my post, Overcast Twilight on Neabsco Creek Boardwalk.

This year I visited Government Island in Stafford County, Virginia, for the first time. One day I’ll have to write a post about it but for now I share this view of the boardwalk that leads to the island. As with the first image, I loved being able to include some people in this view. I enjoyed how the darker trees in the foreground create a window of sorts, leading us deeper into the scene where you can see some very early autumnal colors appearing on the trees.

Most recently, my father and I returned to Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, Virginia. It was once my favorite park, and I still very much enjoy it. But it’s gotten more and more crowded so I don’t travel there quite as often. On this day we happened to visit when some of the colors of autumn were present and I loved how the yellow leaves created this golden gateway at the end of the boardwalk. It just felt magical and I hope I’ve been able to convey even a little of what I felt on seeing it that day.

Next time you find yourself on one, take a few moments to appreciate the boardwalks we traverse.

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