Birdsboro Reservoir (First Spring)

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Birdsboro Reservoir, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Late afternoon at the Hay Creek Watershed was the remedy for a severe case of Spring fever. Sunny and temp around 75 amounts to perfect weather.

It felt great after a relatively inactive winter for Max and I to get out and take a photo walk. Two hours and over two miles in the park flew by as we saw all the usual sights.

The shoulders along old SR82 were cut short so very little activity there, at least above the surface.

The discharge from Birdsboro Reservoir was charging in it's path along the road. Nice sunlit shots were abundant.

Breezes at the reservoir added texture to the surface and abstracted the reflections.

The canal was deep and clear. A few frogs and a snake made an appearance as well an underwater salamander.

The Hay Creek was rushing full force and it was apparent it has receded from it's highest water for the shore lines were matted down from the past heavy and moving waters.

On our way out we passed about 20 people walking in to enjoy the weather and sights of the park.

Middle Creek Wildlife Preserve (Sunrise Snow Geese)

snow geese, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

A 4:30AM wake-up was necessary to make the 6:15 sunrise at the Middle Creek Preserve. I drove for 50 minutes, then walked another 1/2 mile up Willow Point trail to the pavilion to join a bunch of fellow snow goose lovers in anticipation of the early show.

The uncanny body clock of these geese set them to flight en mass shortly before the day break. As if a practice flight, they did a large sweeping lap around the skies then back down to the lake.

Another large flock did the same routine, but within a half hour these massive flocks started flying off the lake. An estimated 50,000 geese randomly, yet systematically, flew away from us all over the next 1.5 hours.

Some human-tolerant snow geese paddled to the shore, waddled up the field then began to feed amongst their human admirers. Great portrait opportunities for all of us as well as the ability to observe their feeding behavior.

I finally pulled myself away and headed to the car to warm up my trigger hand and look for some new and different subject matter.

The tour road opened March 1, which has some neat scenery, but little access to the snow geese because almost all lands around the lake are restricted access.

The highlight of the tour road was red-winged blackbirds. Posing in bushes along the road and singing their mating call to lure in a suitor seemed to be their sole focus.

Tired and hungry and home by 10:30 with a very fulfilling photo shoot behind me, I had the afternoon to relax and relive my morning via 600 images and 4 videos. Great day!

Tundra Swans - Middle Creek Wildlife Reserve

Tundra Swans, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.


Middle Creek Wildlife Management Reserve is a popular stopover for the Snow Geese and Tundra Swans on their way to their northern breeding grounds. 


This year they arrived about Feb 17 and they will likely stay about 3-4 weeks. Initially, the lake was still over half frozen but the mild weather thawed the lake completely. 


The ideal time(s) of day are pre-dawn and in the afternoon's. At dawn you get to experience the explosion of the flock as they leave the lake towards the fields. In the afternoon, they start arriving for their overnight rest. 

SR82 - Geigertown

along SR82 - Geigertown, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Berks County has a lot of nice farm scenes.

I pass this location regularly at all different times of day and seasons, and I'm pretty sure that I have enough shots to make a four seasons project.

Mifflinburg (Union County) back roads

farm scenery, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

To some, Mifflinburg, in Union Co, PA is merely a speed bump en-route to Penn State.  It wasn't that long ago when there was even a McDonald's or a Sheetz. The town itself is old, yet well preserved, with old buildings and traditional stores on the main street.

My favorite thing about it is the back roads where Amish buggies are common sight and picturesque farms and farmland can be seen in every direction.

This shot was captured right after sunrise in the morning magic hour. A cold night left a bit of frost on the remaining pumpkins.

Spontaneously choosing roads was fun and challenging. With subjects and lighting changing by the minute, this area definitely deserves future visits and different back road explorations. 

New York City - Open House New York

Met Life, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

This was the 8th year that New York City has a weekend program, called Open House New York (OHNY), allowing access to private and public buildings for architecturally and design enthusiasts.

Historically it runs on Columbus Day Weekend. This year I toured a LEED Certified apartment on 85th Street. The Lucida apartment we visited cost about $5,000,000 or about $1M per bedroom.

The Chrysler Building lobby, normally off limits, was open for the day too. Still heavily guarded, but at least tolerant to the art deco enthusiasts it attracted.

Penn Ave, West Reading, PA (Fall Walk)

Curious Consignments, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

A fall walk on the avenue is a great way to enjoy splendid weather plus great eating and unique shopping.

This photo was taken at Curious Consignments where their inventory can change daily so they provide a never ending supply of interesting things to purchase.

Gring's Mill Rec Area

Gring's Mill Rec Area, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Gring's Mill was the starting point for a walk on the Union Canal Trail along the Tulpehocken Creek.

Union Canal Trail (part of the Schuylkill Trail System) offers scenic views of Gring's Mill, Red Bridge (covered bridge), Berks Heritage Center, plus other sites depending on how far you venture.

Summer highlights at Gring's Mill include annual festivals and the Summer Concert Series held at the outdoor amphitheater on Sunday evenings, Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Gring's Mill also hosts the Holiday Lights Program during the month of December.

Rental space is available for large groups, with numerous recreational activities.

Reading Railroad Heritage Museum

5513 engine, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Following the memorable Hamburg Hamburger Festival, I passed the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum which was advertising later hours and yard tours for $5.

The museum has knowledgeable volunteers leading yard tours on the weekends; five on Saturdays and three on Sundays.

They have ambitious engine and train car restoration projects, plus the whole site design and landscaping.

I have a passive interest in trains, but the volunteers were so into the history, massive machines, and railroad culture that it was easy to share their enthusiasm about trains.

Sunflower Tunnel - Reading Public Museum

IMG_1086a, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

In August I learned that the Reading Public Museum created a sunflower tunnel.

It's the first year of a project where they arrange and layer varying heights of sunflower species in parallel rows. When they mature the tall ones will lean over forming a tunnel.

The bees and finches were loving the new food source too.

Of course, a visit to the museum wouldn't be complete without a stroll along the stream through their arboretum.

Mockingbird - Middle Creek Wildlife Reserve

Mockingbird, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Every August, I make a point to visit the Middle Creek Wildlife Art Show and reserve.

The visitor's center has colorful gardens full of insects, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Below the visitor center is a large wildflower field loaded with great photo subject matter too. Also close is a large lily pad covered pond with numerous species of dragonfly's and frogs.

This mockingbird buzzed me numerous times as I was taking macros in the wildflower fields. I guess she thought I was interfering with her collecting.

Hay Creek - Tiger Swallowtail

tiger swallowtail, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

A near-perfect weather morning was all the encouragement I needed to get out for a photo walk with Max.

A little too late for sunrise and morning mist, but just right for the morning magic hour lighting.

Max and I walked the mile to Birdsboro Reservoir and lapped it. Still waters with vivid reflections were at every angle.

After the reservoir we headed down to the little dam on Hay Creek for some potential stream subject matter.

Joe-pye weeds (as pictured) align Hay Creek Road which is a favorite of butterflies and insects, but in the morning the road is shaded by the hills so not the best for photography. However, along the canal and by the stream were lots of sun lit joe-pyes loaded with butterflies.

Two hours flew by with just a little over 2 miles covered.

Teasel - Angelica Creek Park

Teasel, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Angelica Creek Park is small and subtle, but it packs in so much natural diversity.

Wildflowers, insects, birds are thriving here. Trails parallel the stream the length of the park and offer great subject matter for nature lovers.
Max and I visited on a mild temp (rare this summer) and breezy evening making macro photography especially challenging, but the ample lighting allowed for faster shutter speeds helping me get many good shots anyway.
We walked up and down both sides of the creek covering about a half mile in our short visit ending about 7:00PM.

TD Bike Race - Philadelphia International Cycling Championship

Bike Race, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

TD Bike Race - Philadelphia International Cycling Championship has been a must see event for the past 26 years.

Good weather prevailed once again as it has for every year that I've attended.

A hot 90 degrees took a toll on the bikers during the grueling 156 mile 10 lap course. Lady cyclists compete on the same course for a shorter 57 mile race.

The vendor area is fun for you get to sample the latest nutrition bars, health drinks and other snacks. Lots of cycling gear is for sale as well as cycling culture.