The two photos here are from Great Falls, which is where the Potomac River runs through some rapids and is the border between Maryland and Virginia. The Maryland side has some historic parts along Great Falls, since it is only located a few miles outside of Washington DC. On the left are some rapids seen along a smaller branch of the river, with the main rapids being only a few minute walk away. Above is a boat that in a canal running parallel to the Potomac. In the 19th century this canal took people in boats 50 miles away from DC to West Virginia.
The forest immediately around great falls is known as bedrock forest. It is considered a unique but fragile environment in the state. You can see how the terrain is very rocky, and even has some trees growing directly out of the stones on the left. The photo on the right is a caterpillar nest that was built up in the tree in the late summer. I don’t remember the species but they are for over taking entire trees.
These two animals are popular all over the east coast. The blue tailed skink, also known as a five lined skink that was running across a wooden bench is found all over the world. I thought this was only an American species but I even saw one in Sudan! The Canadian Goose is normally seen around bodies of water like small ponds or flying together in formations.
These top two photos came out a bit blurry because my camera was at full zoom and without a tripod. I was lucky to see a small humming bird enter the flower above that was high up on a tree. I’m not yet sure of the species.
