If I had a nickel for every time, I check bringfido.com to see if my pups could join me on an errand or adventure, I’d be one rich dog mom. Usually, I’m the definition of “If my dog can’t come, I’m not going.” My fox terrier mix Eddie got accustomed to joining me at work …
Category Archives: Bull Run Mountains
Ode to a fallen friend
Located at our confluence, our beloved beech was the definition of a trooper.Its root system half pulled out of the Earth by a windstorm decades ago and its trunk since laying horizontally across Catlett’s Branch. Despite this waterlogged existence, it continued to hang on and keep-on-keeping-on for more than a decade.Sadly, its time had come …
Recent Scenes from the Preserve
So many of the Preserve’s thousands of annual visitors capture incredible moments and creatures in photography. Let’s look back at some of the amazing photos captured by visitors this past Fall! We love seeing your images and featuring them, so please send us your visual “souvenirs” from BRMNAP.
Visiting the PhotoArk!
I recently had the chance to visit the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley ‘s incredible National Geographic Photo Ark exhibition. Featuring dozens of portraits by award-winning nature photographer, Joel Sartore, Photographer , this unique exhibition showcases wildlife from all over the world, many of whom are endangered or threatened. By sharing these expressive individuals living in …
Preparing for the winter world
With the first frosts of the year occurring, the earlier and earlier nights, and the last of the leaves beginning to drop, our thoughts naturally turn towards winter.Most people consider our mid-atlantic winters devoid of life and that is a fair assumption based on the witnessable preparations of our deciduous treescape, but life is still …
Top 5 Reasons to Hike in the Fall
With the equinox behind us, fall is finally here! While it is sometimes bittersweet to say goodbye to the warmth of summer, I for one am so excited for the changes happening at the Preserve over the next several weeks. Read on to see which five reasons top my list to visit Bull Run for …
Glow-in-the-dark mushrooms? Spotlight on Eastern jack-o-lantern
A team of our staff and volunteers recently found a patch of Eastern jack-O-lantern mushrooms (Omphalotus olearius) while out performing trail work (kudos to PATC’s Mike C and his eagle eyes for the spot!) Jack-O-lantern mushrooms are aptly named for their near fall arrival, bright orange appearance, and the fact that their gills GLOW-IN-THE-DARK! After reading …
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A note from new Preserve Specialist, Taryn
When I got the call that I was the top choice to take over as Preserve Specialist at Bull Run Mountains, I’m not embarrassed to tell you there was a lot of happy dancing involved. This job is the lifelong dream for creek-wading, animal-loving overgrown kid like myself. And though I’ve had many amazing opportunities …
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FUNgi!
It’s fungi season! And as I hiked around this August, I was observing them everywhere at the Bull Run Mountains Nature Preserve. So, I wanted to share with you a few facts about these fascinating organisms that are actually closer to animals than plants. With fun names like “chicken of the woods” (Laetiporus), a great …
Jack Dawson Project 2020 Inventory Report
Click here to read Kellen Hope’s Fellowship Report: Jack Dawson Project 2020 Inventory Although finalized in May, and already well used internally, we are excited to make this product of our VOF Special Project Fellow, Kellen Hope, available to all interested members of our community. This Jack Dawson Inventory Fellowship Report was the result of …
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