Saturday, January 5, 2013
PA Farm Show Sheep
A can't miss event in early January is the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Celebrating it's 97th year, it literally offers something for everybody. Entertainment, animals, shopping, food, equipment, and the arts all well represented. I always come away with renewed pride in being a Pennsylvanian.
These sheep recently were sheared, so they get to wear stylish spandex. In addition to sheep, pigs, cows, horses, rabbits, chickens and ducks were all on display and judged.
We went on what is probably the busiest day, the first Saturday so crowds were everywhere. Go early and stay late so you can see everything on the agenda. Every day offers something different to enjoy so multiple visits would be ideal.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Westin - NYC
One of my favorite sites and first things you notice when you emerge onto 8th Ave from the depths of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Once you hit the streets, you clearly feel the NY vibe and immediately know you are in special place.
New York at Christmas is a great time, but trying, due to the crush of people that also want to experience the holiday atmosphere of the Rockefeller Center tree and skaters.
Visiting early in December is less crowded and likely more enjoyable. Also avoiding the touristy areas in Times Square around meal times will give you an opportunity to discover a new neighborhood and/or place to eat while saving wait times in restaurants.
New York at Christmas is a great time, but trying, due to the crush of people that also want to experience the holiday atmosphere of the Rockefeller Center tree and skaters.
Visiting early in December is less crowded and likely more enjoyable. Also avoiding the touristy areas in Times Square around meal times will give you an opportunity to discover a new neighborhood and/or place to eat while saving wait times in restaurants.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Potts Mansion - Elverson PA
During a winter open house, tours were offered of the St. Mary's of Providence Center main house, while children were invited to have breakfast with Santa.
The mansion was built by Joseph D. Potts, a descendant of the iron magnate, John Potts in the late 1800's.
I found the design interesting for the house had two similar, if not identical, wings. I believe the mansion was shared by two families, one in each wing.
Currently, The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence manage this facility.
The mansion was built by Joseph D. Potts, a descendant of the iron magnate, John Potts in the late 1800's.
I found the design interesting for the house had two similar, if not identical, wings. I believe the mansion was shared by two families, one in each wing.
Currently, The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence manage this facility.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Craftsman at Work
Christmas at Joanna is a wonderful family oriented celebrating old time Christmas traditions.
Inviting you into the venue is hundreds, many thousands of luminaries that guide your way through the grounds.
Delicious food and unique shops satisfy your appetite and shopping curiosity.
A huge HOT bonfire which is the center piece for the Belsnickel story and carolers.
A hayride, demos in wood/craft shop, a light maze add more fun and tradition to a night at Joanna.
Inviting you into the venue is hundreds, many thousands of luminaries that guide your way through the grounds.
Delicious food and unique shops satisfy your appetite and shopping curiosity.
A huge HOT bonfire which is the center piece for the Belsnickel story and carolers.
A hayride, demos in wood/craft shop, a light maze add more fun and tradition to a night at Joanna.
Chinatown Arch
After visiting Love Park, we stopped in Chinatown for some authentic and tasty food at the Banana Leaf.
Art Museum from Christmas Village
view of Art Museum, originally uploaded by Mike Roush Photography - Berks Awhile.
Christmas season in Philadelphia is another great time to visit the city.
At Love Park, now the venue for the Christmas Village which showcases a nice variety of International products, cuisine, and entertainment.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Sunrise over Yachts
Sunrise at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. More popular for it's sunsets, the CCYC has great sunrises too.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Osprey with Catch
osprey with catch, originally uploaded by BerksAwhile - Mike Roush Photography.
Bunche Beach on San Carlos Bay is a great escape for both nature and sun lovers.
This osprey grabbed a mullet, flew right in front of me and the sunset, then perched in a tree nearby and ate it.
The narrow almost secluded beach still has old weathered mangrove stumps that adds to its uniqueness.
Sunrise on River
This is one of my favorite canal views in Cape Coral off of Del Prado Blvd looking east to the river.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Babcock / Webb - Webb Lake
Just east of Punta Gorda, FL is the 65,000 acre Babcock / Webb Wildlife Management Area.
This multi-use area is one of my favorite for wildlife viewing. Besides sightings of alligators, I've seen an armadillo, deer, herons and a pair of sandhill cranes. The colors of the panoramas in the late afternoon are breath taking.
This multi-use area is one of my favorite for wildlife viewing. Besides sightings of alligators, I've seen an armadillo, deer, herons and a pair of sandhill cranes. The colors of the panoramas in the late afternoon are breath taking.
Bald Eagle - Cape Coral
Lee County Florida, including Cape Coral, is the nesting haven for around 50 nests.
Considering that Eagles reuse their nests for multiple years, I went back to the same nest where I saw a nesting pair last year and got lucky that the raptor was on watch duty.
Considering that Eagles reuse their nests for multiple years, I went back to the same nest where I saw a nesting pair last year and got lucky that the raptor was on watch duty.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Cape Coral Yacht Club Sunset
One of the best looking sunsets I've seen in years magically emerged from a windy, cloudy and unimpressive afternoon.
The normal hot spot around sunset, the Yacht Club was almost empty when I arrived as the ball was dropping. Most weren't impressed enough and left minutes after. I saw a hint of color in the clouds so I waited around just in case there might be an after show.
As veteran sunset watchers know, the best part of the light show may come after the sun drops below the horizon. As was the case this night where it took 8 minutes from sundown to reach this point. The colors lasted only another 6 minutes before fading into the blue hour.
The normal hot spot around sunset, the Yacht Club was almost empty when I arrived as the ball was dropping. Most weren't impressed enough and left minutes after. I saw a hint of color in the clouds so I waited around just in case there might be an after show.
As veteran sunset watchers know, the best part of the light show may come after the sun drops below the horizon. As was the case this night where it took 8 minutes from sundown to reach this point. The colors lasted only another 6 minutes before fading into the blue hour.
Six Mile Cypress Slough
The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is usually the first nature spot I go to when visiting Florida. A 1.5 mile boardwalk through four ecosystems offers so much natural beauty to experience.
The lush flora is habitat for all kinds of animals. Plenty of reptiles like alligators, snakes and turtles reside near the wet areas. The large lake is a good viewing area for alligators, big turtles, nesting herons, and egrets. Small ponds are active year round but especially in the dry season when standing water is scarce.
I've never visited the preserve with this much water so the cypress swamps were rich with color and reflections.
The lush flora is habitat for all kinds of animals. Plenty of reptiles like alligators, snakes and turtles reside near the wet areas. The large lake is a good viewing area for alligators, big turtles, nesting herons, and egrets. Small ponds are active year round but especially in the dry season when standing water is scarce.
I've never visited the preserve with this much water so the cypress swamps were rich with color and reflections.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Bald Eagle of Conowingo MD
In November and December the migrating Bald Eagles stop over at Conowingo Hydro Electric Dam for some fish gorging.
The array of spectators range from very serious nature photographers with $10,000 of gear to simply Bald Eagle fans with a $20 set of binoculars.
Patience and luck can be rewarding for the acrobatic Eagles hunt, eat, fight and soar sometimes within feet from the shore and their fans.
The Facebook page on the subject offers great tips and photography for a day out to the dam.
The array of spectators range from very serious nature photographers with $10,000 of gear to simply Bald Eagle fans with a $20 set of binoculars.
Patience and luck can be rewarding for the acrobatic Eagles hunt, eat, fight and soar sometimes within feet from the shore and their fans.
The Facebook page on the subject offers great tips and photography for a day out to the dam.
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