Virginia Bluebells at Bull Run Regional Park
Well, it happened again. I had another birthday, closing out another year and beginning one anew. What better way to do so than enjoying the amazing spring weather on a hike with my son and dog amidst the peaking Virginia Bluebells and millions upon millions of Spring Beauty blossoms at Bull Run Regional Park?! In the few weeks since I had been out there the forest floor had really come to life, and the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) were literally covering most of the forest floor for as far as the eye could see along the Bluebell Trail. The day started out a bit gray and cloudy, which was perfect for getting some long shutter speeds for the impressionistic images I envisioned, but as we hiked the sun came out and we had beautiful light filtering through the forest canopy and highlighting the spring wildflowers carpeting the ground. We took a break for lunch along the banks of Bull Run surrounded by flowers and beauty, and it’s safe to say all three of us were really glad we went. I am truly a lucky soul!
I managed to take a few pictures along the way – I hope you enjoy them! From the look of things, it’s going to be an exciting and beauty-filled year…
Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) amidst Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) along Bull Run
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along Bull Run.
Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) and Common Blue Violet (Viola papilionacea) at Bull Run Regional Park
Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
A Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) blooms amidst Spring Beauty blossoms (Claytonia virginica) at Bull Run Regional Park
Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Impressionistic view of Spring Beauty blossoms (Claytonia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) bloom along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) blooming along the banks of Bull Run.
Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) blooming along the banks of Bull Run.
I, too, checked out the bluebells again last weekend at Cub Run. What a coincidence that I noted the same wild flowers as you: of course, the Virginia bluebells, but also the small white 5-petaled flowers with the red veins which I discovered were the spring beauties, and the small yellow lilies which must have been what you also encountered: trout lilies. I even saw a pair of honkers in the shallow pond in the Gas Pipeline area near the fairweather crossing! I enjoyed your pics—they look very similar to the banks of Cub Run where I walked.
Awesome Ralph! It is a great time of year indeed to be stopping to enjoy the flowers! There should be a few more species coming up soon too – but boy are the spring beauties and bluebells just so thick and amazing. Thanks for your comment last time around too as it helped push me out the door to get back there again! Happy exploring and thanks for sharing!