The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • A Lucky Birding Day

    This winter has been particularly harsh, with prolonged periods of below average temperatures that have kept me trapped at home when the snow fails to melt around my car. I did, however, manage to travel to a farming area in northwestern Chester County to do some birding on New Year’s weekend.

    This area is known for attracting winter migrant species that prefer open habitats, such as horned larks, Lapland longspurs, and snow buntings. I have had lucky seeing the horned larks before. This time, I saw the flocks of birds but had difficulty making out individuals with my binoculars or camera. However, a popular bird sound id app did pick up all of the species above, including the snow bunting and longspur. To access this site, one has to try to pull off by the side of the road and sit an wait. There was one other car during the time I was there. The locals must think we are crazy.

    In terms of pictures, I had to content myself with scenes of the local area.

    Gee, this farm looks familiar.
    Cows sheltering in the woods.

    I made my way home via Marsh Creek State Park. Alas, the gull photos I took there were too distant and blurry.

    A pensive scene on an overcast day.

  • A Covered Bridge in a Quiet Valley

    On my way to the Pine Creek area, I made a quick stop in Columbia County to view the Kramer Covered Bridge. I had somehow missed photographing this bridge, even though it is near where my relatives live.

    Showing signs of Autumn …
    A stop at Kitchens Cemerery where my grandparents are buried.

    The Kramer Covered Bridge is a wooden covered bridge that is located in Greenwood Township. It crosses Mud Run. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Built in 1881, this historic structure is a 50-foot-long (15 m), Queen Post Truss bridge with a metal roof constructed in 1881. It is one of twenty-eight historic covered bridges that are located in Columbia and Montour Counties.

    Finally, the covered bridge.
    Mud Run

  • A Leisurely September Day

    A qucik trip into Lancaster County proved to a source a frustration. A higher level of traffic and lighting challenges did not yield the photographs I had hoped for. However, I took the opportunity to check out the rebuilt Smorgasbord and Restaurant at the Hershey Farm Resort. I had a very nice meal, and I am glad to see the business back in operation after a fire.

    Here are some views of eastern Lancaster County in September.

  • Some Local Gems Preserved

    Rushton Woods Preserve is an 86-acre owned by the Willistown Conservation Trust. The preserve has an impressive complex of meadows, wetlands, and mature woodland for visitors to explore. You can hike trails through the upland forest of beech, maple, oak, and tulip poplars, and then follow the trails down to Okehocking Run.

    The property is a popular spot for birding, and the scrub shrub demonstration area is a favorite stopover for migrating songbirds including warblers and chats. Rushton Woods Preserve is also home to Rushton Farm and the Rushton Conservation Center, Rushton Farm CSA and the location of a variety of WCT community and educational events.

    Looks like some old beehives.

    Nearby one finds Kirkwood Preserve, where warm and cool season grasses comprise the majority of this 102-acre Preserve, providing important nesting and foraging habitat for grassland birds. The Preserve features over 4 miles of pedestrian and equestrian trails, a half-mile stretch of Crum Creek, and 8 acres of upland and riparian woodland. Kirkwood Preserve is part of an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area (IBA), a global network of sites recognized for their outstanding value to bird conservation.

    The preserve is popular with walkers, hikers and birders.
    Some of the nearby farms.

  • Horses and Cows and Farms, Oh My!: Octoraro Edition

    Today’s post takes us back to the area of the Octoraro watershed in southern Chester and Lancaster counties, with a focus on some of the farms and animals of the area.

  • Along Templin Road

    One of my favorite locations to photograph is along Templin Road in northern Chester County. The area is adjacent to the Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve and Warwick Furnace and sits in the valley of the French Creek, South Branch.

    This pond has been a favorite subject in the past. Here is a sunset shot from quite a few years ago.

    … and a swan from years gone by.

  • Warwick Furnace Farms – Something Smells Wonderful Here

    The Warwick Furnace Farms is a historic district that is located in northern Chester County that includes the ruins of an early iron furnace that was owned by Anna Rutter Nutt, widow of Samuel Nutt. The iron furnace was previously featured here. I wanted to return to visit the farm and was able to do so when I had the day off for Good Friday.

    Anna Rutter Nutt was the daughter of Thomas Rutter, who erected the first ironwork in Pennsylvania at Pine Forge Mansion and Industrial Site. Samuel Nutt bought the original tracts of land for the Coventry area with partners William Branson and Mordecai Lincoln, the great-great grandfather of Abraham Lincoln. The 786-acre historic district was listed by the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The related village of Coventryville can be seen here.

    In 2015, the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust permanently protected the 553-acre Warwick Furnace Farm through conservation easements and the acquisition of 108 acres, which will be the future home of a public preserve.

    The ironmaster’s house and workers’ houses, the historic farmhouse and the barns in this historic district are currently used in the operation of a working farm, which produces lavender and lavender products. The farm has a shop and which sells the wonderful local lavender products. Check the web site for information, hours, special events and to purchase online.

    A look toward the main house.
    The extensive barns.
    The shop tucked into the corner.
    The color in the budding trees in Spring always amazes me.

  • Happy Easter

    I will be taking a break this week to celebrate the holiday and regroup from a colder than average winter that largely kept me cooped up inside.

    In the meantime, enjoy some shots from Springtimes past.

    A view of the flower garden at Chenoa Farm Sanctuary.
    Blooming in Mercer County.
    Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

  • The First Forsythia of Spring

    The forsythia sort of snuck up on me this year. It has been an unusually cold weather with a lot of daytime highs well below average. Here are some views of the herald of spring from around Chester County.

    Some sneaky forsythia to the right. I mostly liked the barn.

  • Some Orchard-y Goodness

    Barnards Orchards is a fourth generation business in Kennett Square, Chester County, I was able to visit shortly after Christmas and found some great produce and treats to take home.

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