Lake Maury and The Lion’s Bridge

Last night, I was organizing some files on my computer when I ran across the folder of photos I had taken one afternoon at Lion’s Bridge.  I had posted the above image and mentioned that I would write more about him ~ and then I promptly forgot.  I need to work on that!  🙂

Lion’s Bridge is actually a dam.  Information regarding Lion’s Bridge as taken from the Mariner Museum web site:

Known as the Lion’s Bridge, the dam forming the lake provides a breathtaking view of the James River, as well as a family gathering place to enjoy the Museum Park. The beauty of the dam is enhanced by several fine pieces of statuary designed by Anna Hyatt Huntington. Four stone lions were mounted on the ends of the parapets of the dam in October 1932. Anna also created and dedicated a monument entitled “Conquering the Wild.” The central theme of this monument consists of a man engaged in a titanic struggle to subdue a rearing horse. Elevated on a massive octagonal Indiana limestone pedestal and flanked at four corners by life-size figures representing science, art, learning, and industry, the monument overlooks the Lion’s Bridge, the Park, and Lake Maury.

Let’s begin at the beginning…..from Lion’s Bridge, you have a wonderful view of the James River.  It is a 410 mile river and the 12th longest in the United States that is contained within a single state.  Crossing the river is the James River Bridge…..

Believe it or not, when this bridge was completed in 1928, it was the longest bridge in the world that was over water.    But you came to see another bridge….or I should say a dam that forms a beautiful lake.  The dam from the Lake Maury side….

and a couple of views of Lake Maury………

Lake Maury is part of the Mariner’s Museum park, a large park popular for family gatherings and nature lovers. Included within the park is also a five mile nature trail, The Noland Trail, which winds around Lake Maury and throughout the park.  At the Lion’s Bridge entrance to the trail, you will see this welcoming sign…..I love the quote.

The area around Lion’s Bridge is quite beautiful.  But the stars are the lions………guardians of the bridge…….

Four lions, two on each side…..majestically guarding the entrance to each side of the bridge…..

There is also the monument, “Conquering The Wild”, on a small hill near the bridge……

There are many sites to see around the bridge………these bushes with fluffy, white flowers ~ I’m not sure what they are, but you find them around the rivers, lakes and creeks in our area….

I like this image….the contrast between the submerged fall leaves and the floating pine needles…..

There are a variety of trees and other foliage……

This huge, old tree is at the foot of the bridge by the lake…….can’t you imagine sitting on the massive limbs and enjoying the scenery?  🙂

And there are a large variety of birds ~ here is a couple feeding on corn and feed left for them…..

This one came swooping out of no where…….he startled me so I didn’t get a really clear shot.  When he landed, it was too far away for me to get a clearer one…..

Hope you enjoyed the visit to Lake Maury and Lion’s Bridge….and of course, we have to end the day with a sunset over the James River.    🙂