Mostly Photos

Mason Neck in the Mist /  by Todd Henson

Mason Neck in the mist

Today we’re looking at one more foggy scene from New Year’s Day, 2023. My father and I were hiking the trails of Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge and eventually we came across a small clearing in the trees that revealed this view of the wetlands. Occasionally a group of ducks would quietly fly by in the mist, almost unnoticeable.

The first photo expresses some of what I felt when seeing that scene. I was seeing the trees disappearing into the fog and the ducks flying past. It all had a quiet and peaceful feeling.

Taking a step back we can see a bit more of the scene. It may lose a little of that feeling I felt but it gives more context. We can more obviously see the impact of beavers in the area. They’ve dammed up some of the waterways and created lodges to live in.

A wider view of Mason Neck in the mist

Turning around you can see freshly chewed trees, evidence the beavers are still active.

Turning around we see evidence of recent beaver activity

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Though the Way Forward Be Foggy /  by Todd Henson

What’s around that bend?

My father and I planned to go on an end-of-the-year hike on December 31st, but when we awoke we found the world engulfed in fog. We could have simply given up on our plans and gone back to bed. After all, I certainly enjoy a little extra time for sleep. But instead we chose to head out and explore some local trails.

Deeper into the foggy woods

Walking into the unknown

Though the way forward be foggy

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Appreciating the Boardwalk /  by Todd Henson

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.

An early morning jog on the boardwalk

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.

Boardwalk blues

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.

To Government Island

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.

Enter the golden gateway

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

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