The scenic stretch of Cedar Mill Road in Hillsboro that has been designated a "Scenic Byway" by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Department of Transportation, Hillsboro, nature

The scenic stretch of Cedar Mill Road in Hillsboro that has been designated a "Scenic Byway" by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Department of Transportation, Hillsboro, nature

The scenic stretch of Cedar Mill Road in Hillsboro that has been designated a "Scenic Byway" by Virginia Department of Transportation.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Department of Transportation, Hillsboro, nature

Morel in leaves at lower left.

Photo: Eugene Scheel

Tagged: history, nature, Purcellville

Bernard Gallahan with morels in hand.

Photo: Eugene Scheel

Tagged: history, nature, Purcellville

Three pounds of morels collected on a recent hunt.

Photo: Eugene Scheel

Tagged: history, nature, Purcellville

Congratulations to Tyler and Parker Thomson of Bristow, Virginia. They are the reigning champions of the Leesburg Animal Park’s 2009 Spring Fishing Derby. The 12 and 6 year old caught more fish than any other participant since the derby’s inception in 2007.

Photo: Peggy Coleman

Tagged: children, nature

Mastaneh Khajehnouri of Landsdowne, leaves the 2005 Leesbug Flower and Garden Festival with a wagon full of flowers.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: festival, flowers, Leesburg, nature

During the 2005 Loudoun Arbor Day at Banshee Reeks, Bob Wertz and son, Robert, 3, use a cherry picker to touch the tallest branches of a tree.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Arbor Day, Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, nature, trees

Holly berries grow in Loudoun County.

Photo: Mary Stafford

Tagged: christmas, nature

Fall carpet on the banks of Goose Creek.

Photo: Mary Stafford

Tagged: nature, user photo

Fall foliage in an Ashburn backyard.

Photo: Mary Stafford

Tagged: nature, user photo

Fall carpeting in Loudoun County.

Photo: Mary Stafford

Tagged: nature, user photo

This 3,000-square-foot vegetable garden at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is maintained by youths who have been ordered to perform community service by juvenile court judges.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, nature

A youth, who is performing community service by working in the 3,000-square-foot garden at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, holds an heirloom tomato. The food grown in this garden is given to a local food bank.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, community service, nature

Community Services Coordinator Stuart Younkin and Banshee Reeks Preserve Manager Ron Circe with some cucumbers that were grown in the 3,000-square-foot vegetable garden at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, community service, nature

Banshee Reeks Preserve Manager Ron Circe and Community Services Coordinator Stuart Younkin work in the 3,000-square-foot vegetable garden at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve with a youth who is performing community service by working in the garden. The food grown in this garden is given to a local food bank.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, community service, nature

The American Snout, a distinctive little butterfly, has a beak-like projection on its head giving the appearance of a snout. Until this year, participants of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s butterfly count had never spotted the species.

Photo: Courtesy of Nicole Hamilton

Tagged: entertainment, nature

Among the butterflies seen during the count was the Silvery Checkerspot.

Photo: Courtesy of Larry Meade

Tagged: entertainment, nature

The Zebra Swallowtail, a beautiful black-and-white striped butterfly, was spotted during Sunday’s Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy butterfly count.

Photo: Courtesy of Larry Meade

Tagged: entertainment, nature

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?