SGL43 (Horseshoe Trail & Mine Run Creek)

Mine Run Creek, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

One of our final fall outings, Max and I went to the SGL43 in Chester County. With 6o degree temps, heavy overcast and occasional drizzle the notion to stay home had occurred.

Once again, it had been raining for days prior so the trail was muddy, inches deep at spots. Wind dropped most of the leaves too, so tree photography was limited.

In spite of the gray day, it was a productive photo outing, so the moral is don't let gloomy weather deter going for a photo walk.

A short, easy mile walk with a great destination. Subdued lighting makes for neat shadowless effects, but I sound like a broken record shooting in these conditions repeatedly this fall.

Antietam Creek (Perfect Morning)

Antietam Creek, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Early Sunday by 9AM, Max and I were witnessing the peak colors of autumn at the Antietam Reservoir.

Lake reflections were already brilliant while the woods were just starting to catch some sun rays.

Antietam Creek lies in a valley so it gets maybe 4-5 hours of light, based on my experience. It's got rich lighting between 10A and 2P.

I found a really useful website for photographers, called "Solar Rose" which plots the direction of the sunrise and sunset.

We meandered along the Antietam Creek for a couple hours then exited as the sun climbed. We covered only 1.5 miles in total, but that trek has so much fabulous scenery you don't need to venture any further.

Klapperhall Curve Reflection

Klapperhall Curve Reflection, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Before sunset, Max and I headed to Forest Hills Cemetery to hop the Klapperhall Trail to the river.

The Klapperhall Trail joins the Exeter Scenic River Trail, once you go through the tunnel under the railroad tracks.

From the tunnel you can see a path down the bank to a large clearing next to the river. An obvious fishing spot which I think has the best views of Neversink Mountain the Klapperhall curve or the river.

Due to the angle of the sun, there wasn't much lighting on the trails, just the tree tops.

Reading Museum (Fall Photo Walk)

P1220002, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

A regular stop on my photo walk calendar, the Reading Public Museum trails are a popular dog walking and people strolling destination.

The colors were good with a range of some trees nearly empty while others just starting their autumn show.

A round trip to Trudy's Garden and back to the parking lot is easy and less then a mile.

If you continue past the garden, the trail goes for miles all the way to the quarry fields and SR724 in Shillington.

Neversink Mountain Preserve (Views of Reading)

P1210902a, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

A gorgeous, 60 and sunny, evening was the draw for another outing with Max.

The drive to the shoulder parking is likely more challenging then the walk to the "Witches Hat" and "Overlook" with it's multiple 90 degree switchbacks.

"Magic hour" was the perfect time to get rich lighting on Reading.

French Creek State Park (Fall Colors at Scotts Run)

P1210812a, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Scotts Run at French Creek State Park always offers some of the best reflections and fall colors around.

It is a must see on my circuit of fall color spots. The cover of my French Creek book features a picture of Scotts Run.

Max and I walked up the shoreline past the dozen or so boats that have yet to be removed for winter. A constant breeze rippled the lake so no mirror-like reflections.

We then walked along the crest of the dam and down the Scotts Run trail. The creek was rushing due to three straight days of rain. Great scenes at every bend. All day the sun was subdued by clouds, but burst out just before sundown.

The muddy, yet colorful trail and stream offered some great subject matter. Ferns (one of my favorites) in various shades of green, yellow and brown are prevalent along the trail.

The trail ends and Max and I loop back on the green blazed Lenape trail.

The view where the trail opens to the lake was amazing. The light was hitting the trees and the breeze was gone completely leaving a mirror of well lit autumn splender.

Schuylkill River (Thun Trail)

P1210458, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Rapidly changing fall colors drew me to the Brentwood Trailhead for a view of the reflections on the Schuylkill River.

The Brentwood Trailhead is part of the Schuylkill River Trail system and is located on SR10 just up the road from Angelica Park.

Birsboro Reservoir (Fall Colors)

Birdsboro Reservoir, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Max and I ventured out on an overcast afternoon.

Lighting was waning so I shot most shots with shutter priority setting between 1/30 and 1/60 of a second for trail shots deliberately underexposing them.

I estimate that only 20% of the deciduous trees were in color.

Temps were a fall-like 50, and the round trip walk is about 2 miles.

Blue Marsh Lake (Early Fall Color)

Red Leaves, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Max and I parked at the parking area where Justa Road ends. Justa Road is just a short distance from the Highland Road and the Old Dry Road Farm where I usually start my walks. The lot has trails going into the surrounding fields or you can follow the gated road towards the lake.

A bunch of riders were unloading their horses from the six or so trailers. We ran into them a couple more times for they covered the same roads as us.

Justa Road meets Sleepy Hollow Road, which runs along a finger of the lake and ends at the ramp. This is my favorite leg of the hike since you can see the lake through the back lit trees. Also, many of the trees were in full color along the lake offering vivid colors to photograph.

A few boats were on the lake, but not the greatest reflections.

I'd estimate that we walked about a 2 miles on a mild and sunny 62 degree day.

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You may have noticed the new larger picture in this blog. I am now using Flickr to store and link to my images. I like the size and the opportunity to share more pictures then this blog can physically handle.

Las Vegas Posts (August 2009)

I finally finished the Las Vegas posts. I chose not to show the rather common casino shots, in favor of less visited locales.

Fall Colors Commence

Mums have a perfect shape and come in vibrant colors. Also, while walking Max I saw a row of conifers' needles dying off.