I recently spent 4 days camping at the beautiful Occoneechee State Park with friends and family, and I watched the woods come alive!

The forest changed so much during the short time we were there, with leaves unfurling, and insects coming out of hiding. All of the following pictures were within 30 feet of our campsite.

The first violets of season have appeared

I love the way ferns open up and uncurl. So does this lovely little insect.

Cranefly Orchid is a common site on the forest floor. It’s a quiet little leaf, until you flip it up to reveal it’s purple underside. Look for flowers mid-summer.

Up close, this patch of moss looks like a mini forest. As a child I wanted to shrink myself down so I could wander through this kind of landscape. Truth be told, I still do.

Occoneechee State Park is located on John H. Kerr Reservoir, better known as Buggs Island Lake  in Southside Virginia. Providing 24-hour access Virginia’s largest lake, three boat ramps open the door to 48,000 acres of fishing, boating and aquatic recreation. Forty-eight campsites are available for tent and RV campers. Some sites are right on the shoreline, providing easy fishing and boating access.

The park also has 13 cabins that allow guests to enjoy the comforts of home as well as beautiful views of the lake. An equestrian campground with 11 sites and 11 covered horse stalls offers easy access to the park’s trail system. Learn more here.

I hope you can pitch a tent at your favorite Virginia State Park and enjoy some of your own flora and fauna observations soon.