Reading Museum Spring Gardens

IMG_3631a, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

The Spring blooms probably started a week or two early due to the mild "hot" weather.

As in prior posts, the Reading Public Museum grounds are worthy of a photo walk. The whole Wyomissing Creek trail offers a variety of subject matter too.

Max and I headed out late morning, still about 45 degrees, and our first walk in a long time. He was thrilled by the outing with it's hundreds of new smells to explore.

This was a challenging shoot, for a steady breeze, cold hands and energetic dog were constantly pulling or pushing against my one-handed shooting technique with my new Canon SX20.

Lots of bright light, fast shutter speeds and just enough breaks in the wind allowed me to shoot a number of representative shots.

I bought the Canon in December 2009 and am still getting used to the numerous features and heft of this model. No real complaints, just a new learning curve.

Philadelphia - Winter Photo Walk

Independence Hall, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

A mild (50 degree) winter afternoon was the perfect climate for a leisurely photo walk in Philadelphia.

The route I took was over 3 miles in 3 hours. From Broad St, east on Walnut St to Independence Hall, to Chinatown, to City Hall and back to Broad St.

City walking is really one the most interesting settings I can think of for the subject matter is nearly limitless. Architecture, statues, parks, people, and street scenes to name just a few.

Lighting challenges are present as well due to tall buildings and low sun angles and the early sunsets in winter.

An observation about Starbucks is that I believe that you can't finish a cup of grande before you walk upon another Starbucks.

Max stayed home for this outing, so I had a free hand available to drink coffee.

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New Canon
Around Thanksgiving, I replaced my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28, with the Canon Powershot SX20 IS. A heavier, bigger ultra zoom, I am still learning the features and limits of this model.

This camera has a big grip, feeling more like an DSLR then any other ultra zoom's I've owned. This is the 5th digital I've owned. It's powered by 4AA "rechargeable" batteries, which adds to the heft, but also makes it convenient.

Mossy Log (French Creek State Park)

Mossy Log, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

On one of the first outings since the colorful autumn season, Max and I visited French Creek State Park.

It was a mild fall day, but extremely muddy, a recurring theme this year due to frequent rain.

The two mile lap around the lake takes about an hour when you stop often to take pictures or to decipher the low lying smells.

I believe that the beaver family remained in their same lodge for nowhere was a new one built. Fresh gnawing's and newly downed trees were apparent all along the shore line.

A few people were around, but the park had a lonely feeling as winterizing was nearly complete.

Pond Reflection and Leaves

Pond Reflection and Leaves, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Forest Hills Cemetery at the foot of Neversink Mountain is very picturesque. Not only is the back of the property the access point to the trails of Neversink Mountain, but the grounds offer photo subjects as well.

The pond was covered with fresh leaves. The fountain was creating a slight current making the leaves gradually float around.

Conowingo Dam (Bald Eagle Watch)

Fishing / Photographer Landing, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

On November 6, 2009, we trekked about 70 miles to the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River in MD.

I learned that early November was near prime viewing of the Bald Eagles as they are migrating.

It was a clear cold day, maybe 40 degrees, but felt much colder along the gusty river.

My camera is really no match for the reach of the rigs mounted on the heavy duty tripods. Some of these folks could have bought a small car with their camera and lens investment.

It was a great outing and my goal to see Bald Eagles was more then satisfied.

Initially, it took a little time to find them in the mix of the all the bird activity generated by the water release, but once you recognize their soaring flight pattern and size, they actually stand out.

During the hour or so we visited, an eagle was almost always present. The cold temps and frozen fingers took it's toll and I finally wrapped it up.

Lots of really great photos on Flickr of the Bald Eagles of Conowingo. In fact, there is a group dedicated to the subject.

Little Falls (Nolde State Forest)

Little Falls, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

I believe our Nolde State Forest visit was the last fall foliage outing for 2009. Sadly, the leaves were pummeled by rain and wind so their colorful show was short-lived.

Once again another cloudy day actually turned sunny in the last 15 minutes of my visit.

Max and I were on the clock and had to leave by 2:00PM, so it would just be a few highlight like the steam (Watershed Trail), stone walls, Kissinger Road and the Mansion.

By no means is this list complete. Some really excellent and unique trails are the Coffee Pot Hollow Trail, Middle Road, and Laurel Path to name a few. The North Pond and Painted Turtle Pond are great subjects too.

Coincidentally, on this Sunday, the Mansion was offering tours from 1-4P. I would love to take a tour sometime, but didn't think dogs were welcome so I passed. (Their event calendar shows 12/6/09 open house again)

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.