Top 10 tips for hiking at Virginia State Parks.

Guest Blogger Monica Hoel shares some tips and tricks on how to spot wildlife in the colder months.

Barbara J. Saffir, Author of "Walking Washington, DC," Virginia Master Naturalist, and founder of Nature Photography DC/MD/VA discusses the natural treasures that lie within Virginia State Parks.

There is no place like Virginia in the fall. If you love leaves, you'll want to check out my favorite leaf peeping road trip that even includes a spectacular waterfall and stops at some unique historic sites.

Sky Meadow State Park Sensory Explorer Trail

Sky Meadows State Park is known for its vast variety of birds and wildlife, including beautiful birds of prey known as raptors.

Grayson Highlands State Park is not your typical walk in the park, due to high altitudes, weather conditions and not being prepared.

"Virginia State Parks in a tonic for the mind, body a spirit." A statement I had read many times, but never truly understood until this year.

There is joy in wild places one cannot find in the city. There is tranquility and familiarity in a forgotten world. A stillness reminding us it is normal to go slow, to observe the little things, and not always be on the move.

Warblers, colorful songbirds.

Terrestrial turtles are happy digging in the dirt and leaves found under the trees.

Being able to identify the birds makes birding more exciting.

Dart is teaching us more about the eastern box turtle and showing us how to paint with "worms".

Virginia's oldest fossil can be found at James River State Park and is easy to identify.

Birds need shelter and we can help provide it.

We are bringing Art with Dart to you at home.

Using the correct birdfeeders will help attract a variety of birds.

Listen to the choir sing, nature's choir that is

Artificial light pollutes our night skies and prevents us from seeing the full sky. Escaping the light can be difficult, but luckily there are several locations where dark skies exist.

Stay connected to nature while maintaining social distancing.