Author Archives: Jay McLaughlin

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About Jay McLaughlin

I am a rehabilitation counselor. I have many friends with autism and traumatic brain injuries. They help me learn new things constantly. I hike with dogs at the James River in Richmond - a lot. I've completed an Iron distance triathlon a year for 11 years. My most recent was in Wilmington, NC in November, 2013. I currently compete in mid-distance triathlons. And work and hike and take pictures and write and eat.

I have eyes but I do not see

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

17 May, 2015                  I have eyes but I do not see I was a few steps from the parking lot at Pony Pasture Tuesday morning (May 12) when I looked at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Dogs, Flowers, Fun, James River, People, Pony Pasture, Rivers, Smiles (including "dog smiles"!) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Winning combination

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

10 May, 2015                   Winning combination  That’s a Solitary sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) – the first I’ve ever seen. A friend complimented me on the picture and I said “right place, right time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Dogs, Flowers, Fun, James River, Pony Pasture, Rivers, squirrels, Turtles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You’re only as good as your last gig…

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

3 May, 2015              You’re only as good as your last gig  Or so I’m told. I have had (by my standards) a lot of “gigs” this week, e.g. I’ve been doing lots of stuff … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Endurance, Flowers, Fun, People, Rivers, Smiles (including "dog smiles"!), Trains | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fascinating / boring

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

26 April, 2015 Fascinating / boring As my “Every living thing” project evolves, some if it is fascinating and some of it (possibly you’re painfully aware) is boring. This is not what I was referring to, but I was ten … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Flowers, Fun, Insects, James River, People, Pony Pasture, Rivers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

All means all

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

19 April, 2015               All means all I used to have a boss who had this sign hanging on her office wall:  And when you start a nature photography and cataloging project called “Every … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Flowers, James River, Pony Pasture, Rivers | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Feeling sluggish

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

12 April, 2015 Feeling sluggish When I began my Every living thing section in December of last year, I documented many of the most beautiful animals and plants in Pony Pasture. This morning I got my first… slug: As of … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Fun, James River, Pony Pasture, Rivers, Smiles (including "dog smiles"!) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

“The most beautiful place on earth.”

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

5 April, 2015 “The most beautiful place on earth.” “This is the most beautiful place on earth. There are many such places.” – Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness There are many such places in central Virginia … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Flowers, Fun, James River, People, Pony Pasture, Rivers, Smiles (including "dog smiles"!) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wonders never cease

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

29 March, 2015 Wonders never cease A week ago at 5:00 PM I published a blog post called “We can discover the wonders of nature…”. Six miles away and 24 hours later I clicked the shutter on this picture: Isn’t that … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, moon, Rivers, Smiles (including "dog smiles"!), Trains | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

“We can discover the wonders of nature…”

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

22 March, 2015 “We can discover the wonders of nature…” “…hiking with the dogs, down by the riverside.” – with apologies to Robert Hunter, Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead. For reworking the lyrics of Sugar Magnolia. After a cold, … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Fun, James River, People, Pony Pasture, Rivers, Smiles (including "dog smiles"!) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What’s better than a Golden Spurtle?

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Jay McLaughlin

15 March, 2015 What’s better than a Golden Spurtle? A custom-made, to your specifications, with wood you chose, while you watch it being made, locust spurtle! Of course – it seems obvious now, doesn’t it? Here is the custom-made locust … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun, Smiles (including "dog smiles"!) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments