Reading Public Museum Gardens and Arboretum

lilly, originally uploaded by BerksAwhile - Mike Roush Photography.

Reading Public Museum Gardens and Arboretum are beautiful and seasonal.

Easy access, paved, and dog-friendly make for a perfect getaway.

Sharing the Wyomissing Creek Trail, the duration of your walk can be from short to miles.

Avalon NJ Fishing Pier

fishing pier, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Sunrise at the Avalon Pier is a tradition while at the Jersey shore.

Besides the pier there are plenty of lifeguard stands and boats to use as photo subjects.

Curious Consignments in West Reading

Curious Consignments in West Reading, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

West Reading has many unique shops with one of my favorites being Curious Consignments. Fresh inventory and friendly staff make for a fun visit.

Bike Race - Finish Line Ben Franklin Parkway

Bike Race - Finish Line BFP, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

The 28th running of 2012 TD Bank International Cycling Championship was held the first weekend in June in Philadelphia, PA.

A slightly new course and public area along the Parkway made for the best fan experience since I've been attending.

Keithans Garden path

garden path, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Iconic Sunbury's Keithan's gardens are the backdrop for many spring weddings and proms. Azaleas and rhododendrons add the color, but the flora variety is special year round.

Shofuso Japanese House

Shofuso Japanese House, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

The Shofuso Japanese house and garden is located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia and considered one of the most authentic examples of Japanese architecture outside Japan.

The culmination of the Cherry Blossom Festival period is Sakura Sunday, an event featuring captivating live entertainment, colorful costumes both on stage and in the crowd.

FL Anole at Butterfly Estates Fort Myers

anole, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

The Butterfly Estates of Ft. Myers, FL have a beautiful indoor conservatory and attractive gardens outside. This little guy was giving quite a show. Once I figured out his pattern of bobbing his head three times then puffing out his red neck, I was able to capture this shot.

The Butterfly Estates is a really classy and enjoyable place to spend a few hours enjoying nature. They have a nice gift shop and ice cream and snack cafe.

Cape Coral Yacht Club Sunset

sunset central, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

The Cape Coral Yacht Club and fishing pier is one of the best places to view the splendid Florida Sunsets. Sunrise is not too bad either.

When visiting I typically visit at least once a day, sometimes twice.

First Wednesday they promote a Sunset Festival with lots of crafters and vendors. Classic cars surround the fountain.

Little Blue Heron (Six Mile Cypress Slough, Ft. Myers, FL)

little blue heron, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Ft. Myers, FL is a must-see haven. A walk through the mile long boardwalk can offer sightings of many of Florida's wildlife in multiple ecosystems.

I visited in the late mornings and saw some amazing wildlife activity. However, after speaking with the volunteers that give tours and station themselves along the boardwalk, sightings of otters, wild boars, birds, snakes & gators, occur throughout the morning and all day.

A new visitor center offers a good place to learn about the preserve, cool off, and share stories with the staff.

Sundial and Cherry Blossoms (Fairmount Park)

Sundial, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

I took advantage of unseasonably warm weather to visit Fairmount Park in Philadelphia to see the Cherry and Magnolia blossoms.

This picture was taken near the Horticultural Center at the Sundial Plaza.

Fantastic show of colors and another item I can scratch off my photo collection bucket list.

Longwood Gardens Orchid Festival

orchids, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Another can't miss event on the Longwood Gardens calendar is the Orchid Festival which ends before April.

There isn't much going on outside this time of year, except a few early wildflowers. But the Conservatory is so spectacular that what's lacking outside isn't really missed.

Wyomissing Creek (@Reading Museum)

Wyomissing Creek, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

A foggy morning was the perfect setting to catch some moody shots around the Reading Museum and numerous subjects around it.

Rowboat rivets (French Creek State Park)

row boat rivets, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Another beautiful spring day, so Max and I headed to French Creek to take a lap around Hopewell Lake.

Parking was scarce and the trails were busy, busier than I've ever seen actually.

The beaver's were busy in the fall for they dammed the source stream that feeds Hopewell Lake from Scott's Run. I didn't their lodge though.

Sheep being Sheep at Daniel Boone Homestead

friendly sheep, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.
It was a mild February day and the perfect excuse to get out and test my new Canon DSLR.

Daniel Boone Homestead offers guided and self-guided tours where you are ensured to find great things to photograph.

These sheep barged through a loose fence post and followed me as I was exited the path. I was nervous they'd follow me to the parking lot, so I sat on a bench and they lost their focus on me and began to graze.