Ocean City Sunset

These were shot on the south end of Ocean City, Maryland by the inlet. We walked down here to watch the jet skiers and to see the sunset while the kids terrorized the Boardwalk. The waves were big and so the jet ski stunts were big. And then the sun set.

LTL - Roadside Amish

This week it's Larger than Life Amish. This plain couple have occupied this large bench along Interstate 78 in Shartlesville, Pa. for as long as I can remember. Not sure of their purpose. I think they were put there by the owner of the Roadside America attraction next door. Roadside America is a huge model train layout. It's kind of dated but still fascinating to little boys, young and old. But there is something about the woman that gives me the creeps. I think it has to do with her having a little too much eye shadow for an Amish woman.

Larry's Tractors 2010, part 2

More Red Power, today. Just like yesterday I am sharing some more of my friend Larry's International Harvester/Cub Cadet collection. Top picture is a 1950 model. Next is a double 1946/1944 built by his father. Third IH is one of 7 seven built to mow grass on a Christmas tree farm. The 'doorway' housing holds the chain that drives the right rear tire. Built in the early fifties. Just some of the toys and pedal tractors he and his wife have collected. Bottom picture is just a few of the Cubs, these are all for simply mowing the lawn.

Larry's Tractors 2010, part 1

Saturday was open house over at my friend Larry's house. Larry and his family collect, restore and build International Harvester tractors. And just about anything else with the IH on it. So here is just a sampling of what was there. And Saturday was all Red Power, so leave your green stuff at home.

Not Again!?

Don't ask me how, but after thousands and thousands of pictures I've taken I can still recognise one of my pictures. This week as I flipped through my latest copy of American Hunter I stop abruptly when I can to this picture and article (second picture). Oh, Snap! Is that my picture? Off I ran to my archives and pulled up this picture (the first one) I took back in November of 2008. Very similar. My buck has a broken antler and smaller trees in the background, but still, I think that's close enough to justify the abrupt stop. And, hey, how did a blurry picture like that get into a national publication? If you remember I once tripped onto a picture on the Brooklyn Bridge that looked eerily like mine. After studying it I think they were about a hundred feet behind where I was when it was taken. (mine) (theirs)

of Ponies and Egrets

These have been relegated to weekend post pictures because they are just not quite there. These Chincoteague Ponies had no intention on looking up to appease the guy with the camera standing up on the road. I liked how these images remind me of the old documentaries on the African plains with the birds riding on the backs of the wildebeests. And Marlin Perkins saying his thing. Or was it Curt Gowdy?

HFD Wagon 3

Guilty. I didn't get out last weekend again, so Name that Station will wait one more week. And Wally promised some old pictures so maybe I can throw you all some old firehouse pictures soon. This week I have some pictures of Wagon 3 of the Harrisburg Fire Department. Bradley over at Brad Myers Photo Blog recently was assigned to Wagon 3. I took these pictures in March of 2009 when the HFD responded to a call at Pennsylvania Place while Bradley, Shane and I were running around the city taking pictures. Welcome back to your roots Bradley.

The Last Storm of Summer

The last storm of summer. Not like there were many around here. Starting today I can show you the first storm of autumn. First the clouds, then the winds. The winds kept the fellas at the firehouse busy for awhile. Listening to the fire dispatch you could follow the storms track as it cut across the southern side on the county. Shippensburg. North Newton. Monroe. Upper Allen. Lisburn. Then the sun shined.

Old Glory, Lock Haven (PG 155)

This is my final Lock Haven Gentleman. This Old Glory, as you can see, is on the side of a Subway. Actually, it's kind of in the back of the building. Subway sits at 12 Main Street, this Gentleman (with all 50 stars) is at the intersection of Mill Street and Willards Alley.

Assateague Sika

This may look like a fawn but it's actually a mature Sika Deer. Probably a year and a half old, the spots are there on all ages. The spike antlers in velvet indicate that it is still a young stag. Sikas were brought to the island in the 1920's, they are native to Japan and Asia. More closely related to the elk than whitetail deer, but unlike elk they don't bugle during the mating season, it's more of a roar. I've seen them at other occasions on the island, this is the first stag and best picture of either sex I've taken. He was hanging out along the Wildlife Loop near Snow Goose Pool.

More from Balloonfest

More pictures from the Green Grove Gardens Balloonfest we attended last July. I took so many good to great pictures that I got to share them. And if I throw them all at you at once it would just be overload. So here are just some various shot from through out the evening.

Egrets

Not much to say here. These are just some of the egrets we saw in Chincoteague last month. Most of these were taken along the channel to the north of the beach road over on Assateague Island.

Hand in Hand Hose Company

Sorry, no Name that Station again this week, But I did find an awesomely cool looking station while in Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pa. This is one of three volunteer fire companies in Lock Haven, along with Citizens and Hope Hose. They have 3 full time and 6 part time career firefighters that work 8 am til 10 pm 7 days a week. This station is at 5 North Henderson Street in Lock Haven.

The Rut

As the days count down until the elk mating season is upon us, I'm going to look back at some of the awesomeness that was last fall in Elk County, Pa. These are just some of the elk that Bradley and I snuck in on nearly a year ago. This bull is the bull, I mean THE BULL, that laid his claim to the woods by challenging us and walking by almost within arms reach as our Saturday morning was winding down. Unfortunately I don't think I'm going to make it up north this fall. October weekends have me heading to other adventures in three different directions both near and far and squeezing in just a couple days in the north woods would assure that I accomplish nothing else this fall. Don't get me wrong, I hope to see an image just like this only through a different piece of glass.

Blairsville Coke (PG 154)

This is the other Painted Gentleman from Blairsville, Pa. With some bonus graffiti. This was on the side of what they called the Opera House. Don't know squat about the history of Blairsville but you can take it for what it is. I think out front was a thrift/flea market store in half of the street level. Not sure if anything was upstairs or not. I did venture into the basement. Dark. Very dark. Used the flicker flash from the camera to see where I was going. At one time there was some bowling lanes set up in the basement. Not a good place for a bowling alley. Just a bit humid and wet down there. This building sits at the corner of Market and Stewart Streets. I was unable to get any picture from the front.

I Don't Like Spiders and Snakes

This monster spider had to measure a foot from toe to toe. Would you believe an inch and a quarter? Still don't like them. Doesn't matter.

The Octopus and the Sea Monster

OK, just chalk this up to my long list of things I've found on the beach early in the morning. Someone more creative than I was here.

Corn and Clouds

Another busy weekend. But weren't the clouds yesterday awesome? Fall is just around the corner.

September 11th, 2010. Year Nine.

Has it been 9 years since America was attacked? It's hard for me to believe that anyone could forget. I see that there are ceremonies schedule at several places through the Pennsylvania mid-state. One of these will be at Shippensburg University. The newly formed Student Veteran's of America organized the September 11th Memorial Event by setting nearly 6500 flags in the quad outside of Ezra Lehman Library. Approximately one flag for every American who has lost their life fighting the war on terror. Lets not forget the war on terror started years before 9-11-2001 and will continue, unfortunately, for a long long time into our future.