As part of my recent experimentation of getting back into film photography, I took out my Canon A2E for the first time to shoot some black and white at Evansburg State Park. Here are some of the results.
-
Even More Valley Forge
Valley Forge is one of my most photographed areas. I just can’t help myself. The first location is Lord Stirling’s Quarters. I have long wanted to photograph these buildings but have not been able until recently. Unfortunately, like most park locations, these buildings are not open to the public and not in good repair. Valley Forge is sadly underfunded, like most of our national park system.
The next area is known as the Artillery Park. I bird and photograph around here a lot.
Finally, this foot bridge is near the top of Mount Joy -
Another Little Experiment
This week we are taking a look at Green Lane Park, a location I have visited many times before. I usually go there to view waterfowl. This spot could be so much better, though. There is a long shoreline here, but only a few spots are safe to pullover and observe wildlife. Several times, I saw waterfowl but I was unable to stop and get a better look. These shots are from within the park, around Green Lane, and along Route 29.
This post also contains photos that are part of my experimental old tech efforts. I used an Olympus D380 of mine to take these shots. This camera is a 2 MP “beast” and was released in March, 2002. It does tend to overexpose on auto settings.
Ott’s Exotic Plants in Schwenksville 
The Duck Inn in Graterford -
It’s Still Fall, Folks!
The Autumn color seemed to arrive late this year, even extending well into November in the southern tier of Pennsylvania. Valley Forge National Historical Park was still wearing its Autumn color when I visited. The Park had recently cut back some its extensive meadows. Valley Forge has one of the most extensive meadow habitats along the Northeast Corridor. In additional to occasional mowing, the Park also uses prescribed burns to rejuvenate the habitat from time to time. Let’s let Christmas wait a few more weeks.
Red and orange … 
and yellow. 
Some of the expansive meadows ready for winter. 
Pop of color against the evergreens. 
The mowing lines are clearly visible here on the hill. 
One of the workhorses responsible with part of its haul. -
A Little Piece of Paradise
I made two recent trips to Dixon Meadow Preserve in Montgomery County to see a sora (seen) and a yellow crowned night heron (not seen), This Preserve provides some great bird habitat in the suburbs, especially in connection with the adjacent Erdenheim Farm. With its 14 acres rand boardwalk measuring nearly two-thirds of a mile, the Preserve is a haven for birders, walkers and those who simply enjoy the area’s natural beauty
Purchased by the McCausland family in 2009, Erdenheim farm is home to prize winning Cheviot Sheep, Black Angus cattle, and elegant Morgan Horses. Situated on close to 450 acres, Erdenheim Farm remains one of the last sanctuaries of pastoral life within the greater Philadelphia area.
A view of Dixon Meadow Preserve, 
A stream wanders through the Preserve and under the boardwalk. 
Redbud in bloom. 
Erdenheim Farm Black Angus at twilight. 
-
Snow, Snow Go Away
Here are some photos of snowy Valley Forge National Historical Park and Chester County. Snow becomes less agreeable to me as I age, but it still looks very pretty.
These views of Valley Forge look down the hill from the Varnum’s Quarters area.
The park was quite full with walkers and sledders under the circumstances.
A drive around northwestern Chester County follows.
-
The Wilder Side of the Holidays
I took advantaage of the fact that the Elmwood Park’s Zoos had its Wild Lights attraction open this holiday season with timed tickets that limited visitor numbers. I think most of this post is self-explanatory, so just enjoy the festive lights and holiday cheer. The Elmwood Park Zoo is located in Norristown, Montgomery County. The pictures are pretty much in the same order as if you followed the pathway through the exhibit.
This Eastern Screech Owl was popular for selfies with the kids. 
One of the zoo’s jaguars, checking out the tourists. Excuse the glass reflections here. 
Another owl in a desert exhibit in the jaguar house – it looks like a burrowing owl to me. 
-
The Historic Pawling Farm
The Pawling Farm is part of Valley Forge National Historical Park and sits on the Perkiomen Peninsula, which is created by a bend in the Schuylkill River near its confluence with the Perkiomen Creek. This area played a critical role in the winter encampment of George Washington’s troops in 1777-78. It was a strategically important avenue of approach from the north to the encampment on the south side of the river and also served as the site of a commissary function that saved the troops from starvation. The National Park Service brochure on the area can be found here.
Currently the property’s main buildings include an old barn, a small home (which currently appears to be in use), a privy building, and the remains of the old mansion. The mansion was lost to fire in 1967 and is now a ruin. There are hiking trails which connect to the rest of the Valley Forge system and a mix of habitats including meadow, forest, wetlands, and vernal ponds.
The old barn is an impressive structure. 
A view of the house and barn. You can see here that the barn is a bank barn like the one in Sugartown in my previous post. 
The house that remains on the property, apparently the only building still in use. 
The area immediately around the buildings is meadow which is cut for hay. 
More hay bales, just because I like hay bales. 
According to my research, this building was used as a privy. 
The privy with the remains of another building behind it. Here are some overview shots and other views of the farm.
