A Bug's Life

Found this red centipede crawling up on a rock right next to me while I was trying to photograph South River Falls this year. It made me wonder about what a bug's life must be like and how they manage to survive as a species in all climates ranging from the arctic cold, to the warm tropics.

Cascade of Silk

This picture was taken at the base of South River Falls in Shenandoah, VA. South River Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the Shenandoah valley. The fall is 83 feet high and just one of most beautiful places I have ever seen.

(Especially in the fall season when all the leaves are changing color.)

Getting to the waterfall is definitely not easy.

It is a 3.3 mile (5 km) loop hike to an overlook above the falls. There is also a rocky, 1 mile (2 km) round trip spur trail that goes to the base of the falls. Even though the distance to the fall does not sound like much, the steep climbs and leafy terrain makes the hike a rather difficult one.