Lake reflections - Birdsboro Reservoir

Lake reflections, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Birdsboro Reservoir is part of the Hay Creek Watershed.

The area offers a variety of recreation fun and is located along the Hay Creek and old (and closed) SR82.

Besides my favorites, photography and nature watching, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, even a rock climbing wall are some of the activities.

Dragonfly - Middle Creek Wildlife Reserve

dragonfly, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

The annual Wildlife Art Festival weekend at Middle Creek Wildlife Reserve was the first weekend in August.

This is the 2nd best show at Middle Creek, next to the all-natural Snow Geese migration.

Since many artists don't allow photographing their art, I concentrate on the outdoor show instead.

The hummingbirds and butterflies were very active in the man-made garden feeding on sugar water and a butterfly tree, respectively.

Angelica Creek Grasshopper

grasshopper, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Max and I set out on a windy July morning before the oppressive heat.

Every time I visit Angelica Creek Park, I find varying flora and fauna. A little early in the day and season for butterflies, but the grasshoppers were swarming everywhere.

I did notice that the section of the Schuylkill River Trail path that runs under SR10 down to the river was closed. This does not come as a surprise since the area is so isolated and could be deemed unsafe.

Best paint job - Classic Car Show

Best paint job, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

St. John's Church in Gibraltar, PA hosted a great car show showing about 150 classic cars from all era's.

A colorful and diverse collection of cars were brought out by their owners.

The tree-lined grounds, I thought were the perfect setting to view cars. Another scorching day in July, the trees kept the visitors cooler and encouraged longer visitation.

The owners probably had mixed emotions, enjoying the shade to sit in, but not the clean-up that comes with overhanging trees.

A pig roast, which never disappoints, and numerous home made treats made the food choices plentiful and tasty.

Their goal was 150 cars, which I believe they easily achieved.

Reading Museum Gardens

garden flowers, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Once again, the Reading Museum, namely "Trudy's Garden", was in bloom with color.

Several gardens settings on both sides of the Wyomissing Creek make this a great place for a morning stroll.

You won't be alone for exercisers and dog walkers are a common site as well as couples enjoying the romantic settings.

Air Show Penn Valley Airport

Air Show, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

On a hot July day, the air was filled with the sights and sounds of classic propeller planes.

What a great show the little Penn Valley Airport in Selinsgrove, PA hosted.

Great planes, period encampments, delicious food and customer friendly conditions make this a must see if they choose to do it again.

Water toting golf carts were canvassing the vast infield selling water for $1 a bottle. With temps near 100, these "angels of mercy" were so appreciated.

H. O. Smith Botanical Gardens

garden flower, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

H. O. Smith Botanical Gardens on the north side of Penn State campus is not far from the Beaver Stadium.

I accidentally discovered this oasis while looking for the Dickinson School of Law building. I spotted the new and unique looking building at a football game so drove up to get a closer look.

The center piece Overlook Pavilion offers dramatic views of the countryside and is a good starting point for meandering down the paths.

Beautiful themed gardens are separated by pathways, fountains and open areas.

With Phase 1 progressing wonderfully, the upcoming projects should be just as impressive making this a must see on return visits to the campus.

French Creek - stream

stream and green, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Hot, humid and bug-infested were the conditions for a morning walk along the stream leading from Scott's Run to Hopewell Lake.

High contract between the shadowed green leaves, ferns, reflections and the bright sunlit subjects made exposing shots difficult.

Despite harsh photography and diverse trail conditions, the walk along the stream has numerous breath-taking scenes.

Semi-Modern Hay Baling

hay bailing, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

While driving through Lancaster County I grabbed this shot of some Amish men baling hay, the semi-modern way.

Manually stacking 50+ pound bales on a flatbed wagon being pulled by a steel wheeled tractor is better than a cutting with a sickle and raking, but it still looks like grueling work.

Longwood Gardens

flowers, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Summer at Longwood Gardens is another of the numerous reasons to visit.

In addition to the many themed events and variations in the Conservatory, the seasonal outside gardens are exquisite.

Sea Isle City - Bay Sunset

bay side sunset, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.
Sea Isle City, NJ offers something for everyone. Great beaches, good restaurants, fun activities and night life. 


Parts of the barrier island are so narrow that the road is all that separates the bay from the dunes and beach.  

Fiddler crabs - Corson's Inlet State Park

Fiddler crabs, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Bonding with nature during morning magic hour at Corson's Inlet State Park at the New Jersey shore.

Armies of these tiny crabs, with big attitudes, scurry off the trail and into their burrows as they feel the vibrations of me approaching. I thought I could trick them so I stood still in the middle of their colony and within a few they resumed crabby behavior. Now crawling within inches of my shoes, I was able to capture a lot of behavior photo's.

Corson's Inlet State Park is a quiet and picturesque place at the north end of Strathmere. Long, nearly private beaches run along the inlet and wrap around the peninsula to the ocean.

Taj Mahal - Atlantic City, NJ

Taj Mahal, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

While briefly visiting Sea Isle City, I took an early drive up the coast to drive through Atlantic City and the shore towns along the way.

I hadn't been to A.C. in over 20 years so I didn't really know what to expect. I would describe it as the ultimate juxtaposition of extremes. The modern, sleek casinos versus the old just-getting-by streets a mere two blocks away from the beach.

Political opinion could be argued that casinos enrich the community with a tax stream, but it's hard to see this in 30-40 years of practice. However, there was a lot of construction projects, like a new casino being finished, street enhancements, and clearing of many lots a block from the casinos (not sure what was on these lots previously?).

Ultimately, I do want to go back to A.C. to walk the board walk and visit some of the casinos and capture the street scenes.

Philadelphia Pro Bike Race

Logan Circle, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

A chilly morning and mild temperatures indicate that a fast pace race was in order.

I walked up and down the Ben Franklin Parkway from Logan Circle to Kelly Drive by the Art Museum to capture the various backgrounds.

I like this one mile stretch of the 15 mile course for it offers great low angle shots and things to do when the racers are elsewhere on the course.

Located here are the vendor and food booths, feed zone, the TD Waterhouse sponsor area with free cow bell and backpack giveaways.