williamsburg log.

Looking up at the chandelier in the rotunda inside Jamestowne Settlement. I’ve spent a lot of time there of late.

The Governor’s wife and her attendant walk through the Palace grounds of Colonial Williamsburg.

An American Cream Draft horse, at Colonial Williamsburg.

You may have noticed that I shoot a lot of horse photographs. Part of this is because my son went through a period when he could not get enough of the horses downtown in Colonial Williamsburg.

And part of it, frankly, is that I like horses. I can’t ride worth a damn, but I like ‘em anyway. So there.

We’ve had a few new arrivals in the CW stables in the last few months, and I haven’t learned all the new kids’ names, so I can’t properly attribute these photos to a model. But eventually I’ll have the current crop down.

Anyhow, I kept telling him, over and over, that I had no treats on me and just wanted to take his picture. No apples, no mints, no altoids.

He preened, and posed, and then pestered me for a reward anyway.

Oh well. I gave him a good nose-scratching to make up for it.

The Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg has a storied history, and is well worth the visit.

The Tucker House at Colonial Williamsburg serves as the donor reception center, where contributors of $100+/year can go to take a break while touring CW. The house is staffed by helpful, friendly volunteers — all of whom know my son.

When he was younger, Trip would go there three times a week without fail. Now that he’s older (2.5 and counting!), his schedule is more erratic, but he still visits about once a week or so to get a cookie and eat it on the front sign. Given how hot and cold it can be walking around Williamsburg, I’d say we more than get our money’s worth out of his contribution.

This photograph was taken in the late afternoon sun, from the Palace Green. I used a tripod for the first time on one of my walkabouts this particular afternoon, with some good (and bad) results.

More photos from this shoot to follow.

Yes, those are artichokes in the wreath.

Williamsburg is awesome at this time of year.

Colonial Williamsburg’s "Prelude To Victory" weekend celebrates the march of the American and French armies through Williamsburg on their way to besiege the British forces in Yorktown in October, 1781.

More photos are available in my Flickr set .

What, autumn already?

Unexpected colors on a great fall day.

Caesar (the new kid, stage right) and Prince try to work it out.

Last August, a nor’easter dropped 10 inches of rain on Williamsburg, damaging the dam on Lake Powell. As a temporary measure, the water levels of the lake were lowered by 7 feet to reduce the pressure on the dam.

This summer, the mud turned green as a variety of grasses and plants colonized the lakebed, slowly creeping across the flats. Geese and herons are a common site along the banks of the marshy stream that flows through the northern side of the lakebed. It is a far, far different site than the placid lake ever was; this view constantly changes, an environment in transition.

Nature finds a way.

Every weekend before Independence Day, Williamsburg is invaded by His Majesty’s forces and placed under martial law.

Soldiers are everywhere.

(And I mean, everywhere.)

The town is turned into an armed camp, and townsfolk are arrested and subject to military justice.

Papers are tucked into the brims of hats, ready to be presented when requested. And they are requested a lot.

This weekend recreates the occupation of Williamsburg from June 25th to July 4th, 1781, by the British forces under General Lord Cornwallis.

The occupying army were not maurauders, and made efforts to win over the Colonists.

Some Loyalists even signed up for service.

It was, however, still an occupation. There is nothing trivial about martial law.

The presentation of the tyranny that led to the ‘Revolt of the Colonies’ is a startling reminder of what freedom is, by taking it away for a weekend.

Life goes on, but it is far, far different.

The re-enactors who converge on Williamsburg do a great job. They present the human side of the enemy in our national creation myth, and show that the American Revolution was fought not by monsters, but by honorable men.

They accurately portray the variety of forces that fought during the war, including the Hessian mercenaries:

And many of the British dragoon corps:

As well as many of the infantry regiments:

And all sides of the military are presented.

I should mention that it’s wickedly hot, they’re wearing wool, and they sleep in tents. We had a major thunderstorm roll through this year, too.

And by invading my peaceful town once a year, they remind us all of how tyranny looks, lest we forget.

More photos are available in my Under the Redcoat set on Flickr.

Photograph from the Under the Redcoat program at Colonial Williamsburg, recreating the occupation of Williamsburg from June 25th to July 4th, 1781, by the British forces under General Lord Cornwallis.

This weekend is one of the larger summertime events, as historical reenactors from all over the country converge and declare martial law on Colonial Williamsburg. (Many folks come just to get arrested.)

Where? At the Williamsburg Farmer’s Market, of course.

Because my son loves horses, I am now able to identify most of the horses that pull Colonial Williamsburg’s carriages on sight. For example:

That’s Jack and Jill; I recognized them because Jack could stand to lose a few pounds. (And by a few, I mean a lot.)

Jack, of course, is usually in the pasture on DoG street, greedily taking handouts from the visitors. He looks much more dignified in this picture than when he’s snarfing grass from kids.

A Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) has a snack while perching on a fence outside the St. George Tucker House in Colonial Williamsburg.

I was really quite happy with how this series of shots turned out; the Tucker House always provides a nice striking background. (I think the second shot is my favorite for exactly this reason; the background is outstanding.)

And, you know, I’m there every week. So it’s not really out of my way.

This bird rooted around on the ground for a little while before moving up to the top of the fence. I didn’t know what he had in his mouth until after I viewed it on my computer.

Mmmm, tasty.

One of the trees in the Bruton Parish Church graveyard.

Jack, one of Colonial Williamsburg’s carriage horses, pauses for a close-up.

In case there were any doubts, Virginia can be very, very green.

This weekend’s film crew was after the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps Alumni:

Did you know that the Corps has over 700 performances a year? Holy moly.

This was also my first time watching the CW Productions crew at work.

It wasn’t very hot yesterday, so the multiple takes they went through to get the right shots probably weren’t an issue.

It’s hot enough today, though, that I can imagine folks want to get it done right the first time.

Off one of the side streets near William and Mary.

I suspect the sign is trying to fit in with the in-crowd, but may be trying too hard.

Two of Colonial Williamsburg’s horsemen make ready for yesterday’s Dragoon training.

Dragoons are perhaps unfairly maligned because of their name’s similarity to Dragons — they are mounted infantrymen, usually armed with sword and musket/carbine.

Many of the horses who participated in Saturday’s training had never had military training before, so there was some uncertainty on the trainer’s part as to how the afternoon would go.

I am really quite pleased to have YAH back from the shop.

This time, I took her to Ebby’s Auto Painting & Collision Repair (757-220-0695) and they did a great job with her. Their good reputation in town is justly deserved.

Best of all? She was clean when I picked her up.

It’s the little things that matter.

Scene from this morning:

Her: Good morning! We have a surprise for you!

Trip: Mahning! Dada!

Me, groggy: Wha?

Her: <opens shades and points outside>

Me: What the … ?

Trip: (s)now!

Indeed, there was snow. Lots of snow.

We had about an inch fall last night, and another inch or so this morning.

The air was cold this morning.

REALLY cold.

Brrrrr.

Don’t get me wrong; we still went out for our Saturday morning walk downtown. We just walked quickly. Even Trip admitted it was cold.

(It’s melting out there now, but is expected to freeze over again tonight. Bring your plants in.)

Photo taken at the March 10th Williamsburg Farmer’s Market.

Brigadier and General pull a carriage towards the Palace in Colonial Williamsburg.

The trees were blooming along Nassau Street in Colonial Williamsburg this past weekend. Spring is definitely here, if my raging allergies needed any confirmation.

It’s interesting to see such a wide variety of blooming trees; the DC area is rightly renowned for the spectacular cherry and pear blossoms during this time of year, but they overshadow everything else. Make no mistake: the sheer concentration of those trees (and not just along the Tidal Basin) makes for quite a sight, and shouldn’t be missed.

But it’s nice to see some variety, too.

This shot was taken about two weeks ago, just before the trees really got into the swing of spring.

Chief and Benjamin watch Matt and Mark go down the street.

One of several newborn Leicester Longwool lambs in Colonial Williamsburg. This little one is less than a week old.

Other pictures from this morning’s walk are up on flickr. Odd shooting conditions for the first part of the morning, with a visible haze and overcast skies that burned off by mid-morning. This was exactly the reverse of what the forecast called for.

(To see the lambs: go down Duke of Gloucester to Nassau, turn right, go one block.)

View of the James River from the Kingsmill resort, Williamsburg, Virginia.

We had a nice brunch there last weekend, but I’m pretty sure it won’t make the weekly routine.

Sundial in a garden off of Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.

(Some things don’t need software patches.)

Stephen Moore performs at this weekend’s Williamsburg Farmer’s Market.

I’m off to the City early tomorrow morning. It’s no surprise that I miss this town a little more every time I have to leave.

These two horses are not pulling a carriage (unlike most of my horse pictures), but are rather riding horses carrying two gentlemen down Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.

I dunno. You go out for your Saturday morning walk, someone leaves cannons in your way.

Life is like that sometimes.

Historical family in Colonial Williamsburg out walking yesterday morning. Best viewed large.

Yet another shot of the Bruton Parish Church steeple. Today they had the windows blacked out; a film crew was inside shooting for the upcoming John Adams miniseries.

Photos up from this morning’s walk through downtown Williamsburg.

Saturday morning in Colonial Williamsburg.

January is very quiet in this town.

Still, everyone goes about their morning routine:

Looking for the telltale sign that someone is open for business:

But I think everyone secretly hopes for spring.

(Some folks aren’t very good at keeping secrets, though.)