The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • Columbia County Beyond the Covered Bridges

    Although Columbia County likes to tout their 23 covered bridges, it has much to offer the visitor.

     

    The countryside near the Creasyville covered bridge. Note the pumpkins on the hillside.

     

    Merry October. Christmas trees “on the hoof.”

     

    This clever sculpture immediately caught my eye.

     

    Cattle grazing near my family’s farm.

     

    The side entrance to my grandparent’s old farmhouse. This is door people used most often.

     

    The graveyard down the road from the house my grandparents built after they sold the farm. It’s small patch surrounded by fields. No church in sight. My brother, cousin and I used to walk up here often as kids.

     

  • Farms of West Vincent Township

    Here are some shots from my trip around West Vincent Township in northern Chester County.

    This season’s hay has been baled.

    Peaceful scene of cattle on a hillside by a farm pond.

    I loved the slope in this shot.

  • Cattle Herd and Adorable Calf

    I came across this adorable calf with the rest of the herd in West Pikeland Township, Chester County.

    With mom.

    Meet some of the rest of the herd.

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  • Nearby Lancaster County

    Here are some standard pretty, and some quirky, farm shots from eastern Lancaster County.

    I loved the blue silos on this farm.

    This makes me wonder exactly who, or what, is the “Amish mafia.”

    For some reason this roadside sign really caught my attention, although these types of signs are pretty common in the area.

    And finally, we have a wide view of a baseball field next to a farm.

     

  • Sunset Drive Through East Nantmeal Township

    I took advantage of a lovely evening to head out to East Nantmeal township hoping for some sunset views.

    A beautiful farm at sunset.

    Another view of the same farm.

    A farm pond at sunset.

    A farm on the hill in gathering darkness.

    I came back the next day for some daytime views. The hay has already been baled at this farm.

    A farm pond in the daylight.

    It seems Christmas trees are grown all over Pennsylvania, even in Chester County.

  • A Stop at Thornbury Farm Market

    Thornbury Farm Market and CSA sits in the outskirts of West Chester amid the housing developments of exburbian Philadelphia. It’s a lovely place to pick up some local produce and other items. They are also available to host events.

    A view of the vegetable gardens.

    Tow Mater, making a personal appearance.

    A cool vintage fire truck.

    A nearby cornfield in summer.

  • Calves, calves everywhere …

    On a trip to Locust Lake State Park this spring, I cam a across a farm with quite a few new additons to their cattle herd. Here are a few shots plus a bonus pic.

    Mother and child.

    A frisky calf.

    Bonus nuthatch nest from a tree in my campsite at Locust Lake.

  • Around Delaware County – Farms Behind Fences

    As the county with the lowest percentage of open space in southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware County is not someplace you might expect to find agricultural activity, but there is more than you think.

    Linvilla Orchards is probably the best know agricultural operation. Not only do they grow fruit here, but it has been a beloved local attraction for decades, featuring hay rides, pick your own produce, playgrounds, visits with animals, and a wonderful market.

    Pick your own.

    Out the back to some cornfields.

    A visit with Mr. Billy Goat.

    A pony ride to remember.

    Indian Orchards Farms is near Linvilla and sells locally grown and organic produce. It has some pick your own options as well.

    Farmstand at Indian Orchards.

    Obey the Orchard Rules!

    Pick your own blueberries.

    Finally, Hidden Valley Horse Farm is located within Ridley Creek State Park and offers boarding, riding, and instruction. It was hard to get close enough to photograph anything, and the horses all had their butts to me.

     

    One of the residents.

     

  • Octoraro Lake Area, Lancaster and Chester County

    I went to Octoraro Lake in southern Lancaster and Chester Counties hoping to find some elusive bird species, but came back with these photos instead.

    There was an interesting view of this silo from the lake.

    One of the area’s many picture perfect farms.

    Tobacco field, Lancaster County. Not many Pennsylvanians are aware that we grow tobacco here in the state.

    I just thought this was a really nice looking barn. I loved the natural wood board look.

    Free kittens. I nearly stopped …

    This year’s calves getting round the clock monitoring for proper health and growth.

  • Rushton Farm Preserve

    Rushton Farm Preserve in Chester County is a location I frequent while birding. It’s a lovely property with a mixture of gardens, meadows, woodlands, and a creek.

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