Goggleworks (Open House)

On the 2nd Sunday of the month, Goggleworks offers and open house for the public to visit and sample the "coolness" that they are creating.

Many artists open their galleries for personal tours and candid Q&A sessions. Cafe and gift shop were open and buzzing too. Today the musicians were a combo of a saxophonist and pianist.

Middle Creek Wildlife Area (Extraordinary Art and Gardens)

The visitor center at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area has one of the best gardens around. Perfectly choreographed by height and color, it exemplifies how to make a great garden.

Coincidentally, the garden is at it's prime at the same time of year as their Wildlife Art Show affording the visitors a double dose of inspiration.

The talent of the painters is truly apparent. Some of the artists paint so realistically that you need to step up close to the painting to confirm that it's a painting.

The wildflower field just below the visitor center also offered abundant flowers and insect photo subjects. Interesting, in the spring, the field was intentionally burned which seemed to have no negative impact on the flourishing plant life.

The crisp lighting made the colors pop offering endless photo subjects and compositions. Some of the pix in this post are tightly cropped to see the intricate detail of the flowers and insects.

Another must see is the upcoming Wildfowl Show coming up September 19 & 20. Fabulous decoy carvers, painters, duck callers, and hunting vendors will be present.

Birdsboro Reservoir (Afternoon Photo Walk)

Max and I spent a warm and sunny afternoon walking to the Birdsboro Reservoir. A few cars were parked at the SR82 dead end, which was more then I expected. Usually afternoons are really quiet.

Blue skies and puffy white clouds made picturesque landscapes. A steady breeze left ripples on the reservoir for dramatic reflections.

The shoulder along old SR82 was uneventful for most of the habitat and food for insects was mowed down last month. One Yellow Swallowtail butterfly was around, but not the dozens I expected. I only saw a couple milkweed plants too, not nearly the numbers that I remember. It will surely grow back, but might take a year or two.

I still enjoyed the outing even though the macro-world was lacking.

Jenkins Arboretum (Macro Paradise!)

In May, Jenkins Arboretum was exploding with colorful Rhododendrons and Azaleas. During the summer season, there is less color, but still plenty to photograph. Macro photography for flowers and insects was the main activity.

I met my friend John for an afternoon of shooting. Conditions were hot and humid and nearly no breezes. Actually a breeze or two felt good, but they can temporarily ruin a tight macro scene.

The pond was literally buzzing with activity too. Varieties of bees and dragonflies were abundant. A little green heron caught and swallowed a fish right in front of me.

Nolde Forest (Early Summer Morning)

A couple reasons to get out in the mornings are for the fabulous hazy back lighting and it's a bit cooler before the oppressive heat and humidity arrive.

Max and I were some of the first ones at the Saw Mill Parking along SR625. This is the only place to park along SR625 for the main road was gated, as usual in the early AM.

We headed out along the Angelica Creek to the North Pond. Morning reflections were rich on the pond. Nolde is popular with joggers for we saw about a dozen trail runners.

Back-tracking along the creek we walked the paved road then ducked into the woods where a set of stone steps leads up a steep unmarked trail to the mansion.

The mansion is a cool old building with a small garden and pond. An impressive display of stone-work, the old mansion is truly a landmark to be preserved.

Chestnut Tree Trail was the next route for I wanted to visit the Painted Turtle Pond too. The wildflower collection and pond creatures are the draw and did not disappoint.

After about two hours of exploration, we headed out. Probably about 2 miles of trails were covered.