Eastern Sunset

Sometimes the only thing better than watching the sunset in the west is seeing what it's doing to the east. Gotta love the high country of Colorado.

Kecks Corner

A postcard for you from the one and only Kecks Store at the intersection of Route 233 and Pine Road in Huntsdale, Pa. Been around since 1947. This was, for me, the place we would stop when we were out spotting deer. Swing in for a Dr Pepper and a snack. Stopped in here for "lunch" a time or two while working nearby years ago. A hundred times better than any 7-11.

The Autograph Box

I picked this camera up at the same sale as the Praktica. This is the one that caught my eye when I saw all the cameras that would be sold. Of course the views they showed of the camera didn't show all the graffiti.  I bought it as a tray lot of 4 or 5 cameras for 7 dollars. I see them on eBay for 30 bucks but they're not in this good shape. Nor are they autographed. Research tells me that this is a copy of an old Kodak No. 2 Hawk-eye (Model C). They built a half million of them in 1930 and gave them away to any 12 year old whose parents brought them to their local Kodak dealer. It came pre-loaded with film. This one was used for autographs. There's Mildred (it was either her camera or she was THE queen) Jack, Benn, Dan, George, Penny and R.M.M. on the left side Babe, John B., Berks, Peggy and James on the back. The right side is Ruth Ann, Jimmy and Happy. The front is Jaci (or Jack) and Milly (Mildred, again?) Bernard and some unknowns signed the top. And Deb, Berman and others tagged the bottom. Friends? Classmates? Just one of those things we will never know. 

Stop

I'm not the biggest fan of the black and white picture with selected color. (I'm sure real photographers have a name for this). But once in a while I think it works. The snow covered forest and the road, with the exception of the single yellow stripe, are fairly neutral in color. The browns and grays contrasted with the white snow is just perfect for a black and white conversion. Had I posted the original picture the stop sign would have stood out just as sore-thumbed as it does here (or is it sored-thumb?).

Big Game Camera Trapping

Yes, I think I told you all that I got a trail camera. Not just to feed my hunting habit but as a tool to take more pictures of interest to me. And thereby of interest to you. You remember the cow elk I got pictures of roaming the high county of Colorado after shooting hours don't you? (damn elk) Well it works just as well back east. I first waited for most of the big game hunting seasons to end before I deployed my camera trap. So, two weeks ago I went out in the fog (remember the fog?) and set the camera up on a potential trail I could find myself high above next fall. Evidence of such an active trail would have me pacing and waiting until October to climb a tree and wait for the sunrise to bring me a new and beautiful day. I let the trap set for a week. I could picture all the deer. Seven days. I could image that the big buck made it through all the hunting pressure unscathed. Saturday morning I hurried out to retrieve my treasure. The camera tripped 8 times. Seven times it was the wind blowing the brush near the camera. Once it was Rocky here. The long wait til fall is no match to the time I will have to myself, while suspended 15 feet above the ground, to see a squirrel climb a tree. Wish me luck.

Northern Flicker

OK, any Bird Nerd out there who wants to correct me, please have at it. This one had me baffled a bit. Not at all where I started looking. This is, I believe, a Northern Flicker, the eastern or yellow-shafted variety. Flickers are related to the woodpecker.

Yonkers Fire Department, Station 3

Yonkers Fire Department, Station 3, 96 Vark Street, Yonkers, Westchester County, New York. This station was built in 1972 and houses Engine 303 and the Battalion 1 Chief's Unit. Yonkers fire service began in 1852 and became a paid department in 1896.

Nothing But Blue Skies

Unlike the past couple of days that the temperature has been below 20, last Saturday was awesome. The skies were so blue it was reflected on the ponds out at the State Game Lands. A thin ice layer only helped. I saw no wildlife except for a woodpecker and a far up, far off red-tailed hawk. And the late afternoon howl of some beagles chasing rabbits around. It was a good day.

So Long Toll Gate

I know I should be spitting out some sort of history here for you but I won't. The Toll Gate started out back in the 19th century as (wait for it) a toll house. Yes, there was a gate (a toll gate, get it?) and the passing traveler would have to pay a toll to proceed. Years later it was known as the Toll Gate Tavern. And more recently, maybe 10 or 15 years ago they added the new front end on. Once, long ago, I was asked to leave (we, we all were) while celebrating a good friends bachelor party. Anyways, the Toll Gate shut it's doors at the end of 2012 when the owners retired. Next up is a "sports bar", that's all I know.

The Kings Gap Water Tower

I never knew for sure if this old water tower was still being used. Obviously it is. And obviously it isn't completely sealed up. Or heated.

Barn in Fog

Another foggy picture from last weekend (a week ago). This old barn is the maintenance building out at the State Game Lands. I've always wanted to get some pictures of it and I think waiting for a foggy day was worth the wait.

Colorado Birding

The top two pictures were in the corral at base camp. The top picture shows some Stellar's Jays (and a chipmunk, see him?) The middle is a dark-eyed Junco (pink sided, I believe). And the bottom is the ever present Camp Robber, the Gray Jay.

Cormorants at Sunrise

Some Double Crested Cormorants submarining through Swan Cove on Assateague Island, Virginia.

Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company, Station 9

Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company, 31 Academy Street, Newark, New Castle County, Delaware. AHHLCo was organized in 1888, the main (center) part of the station was built in 1922.. The north and south wings were added in 1941-42. This station sits just a half block and opposite the original station. 

The Assateague Seashell Tree

Who says that seashells don't grow on trees? (actually who says they do?) This is a hit or miss deal on Assateague. I don't see one every trip there but this is the second time we found one. And it had everything. Here's the one from the summer of 2010.

Twirly Top... Since the 50's

It's been so long ago that I was here I don't even remember the last time I was here. Actually I thought they had closed. But last summer I passed by and there was quite a crowd in the lot. They are for sale and they are closed in January. The Twirly Top has been around "Since the 50's" at the corner of Pine Grove Road and Carlisle Road (Route 34) in Gardners, Pa. . Just down the road from Mt. Holly Springs.

Foggy Day 2

Some more of Sunday's fog out at the State Game Lands. I've taken plenty of pictures of the pond before. Last February. October 2011. February 2010, October 2009. September 2009. 

Foggy Day

It was afternoon until I got out yesterday, but the fog was still holding on. Some of these are from just driving around the State Game Lands and some are from a short walk I took. The center picture shows some of Hurricane Sandy's handy work.