This past Sunday, I finally made it to Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Virgnia to see and photograph the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica). I first heard about the bluebells a couple of years ago, and until this year, just hadn’t made it out there. I just wish I’d gone sooner – the bluebells at Bull Run are incredible.
Last year, I photographed some bluebells at Great Falls National Park. The ones I photographed were isolated flowers. At Bull Run, I saw a forest full of flowers. They literally carpeted the woods.
Bluebells in the Woods (c) 2009 Patty Hankins
I loved seeing the bluebells against the dark wood of a fallen log.
Bluebells by a Log (c) 2009 Patty Hankins
Here, the bright sun helped a bluebell cast a shadow against a tree stump.
And finally, a couple of close up photos of some bluebells.
When I was at Bull Run Regional Park on Sunday, there were signs pointing to parking for the bluebells and to the Bluebell trail. In case the signs aren’t still up, I parked in the parking lot by shelter 12, and photographed along the Bluebell and Bull Run-Occoquan Trail, which follow along Bull Run and Cub Run. There is a map of the park, with the parking lot and trails online.
If you get a chance, be sure to head out to Bull Run Regional Park and see the bluebells.
