Saturday View - 15 April 2023 Edition

Welcome To The Exploration Photography Daily View

Today's weather was supposed to be wet but not until around 11am. So I figured I'd head out early and do a little shooting while it was still dry. I grabbed my camera and headed to Valley Forge National Park and had a quick walk around. While there it was very cloudy and there was even a drizzle or two but it was very comfortable. And I grabbed some nice pictures that I would like to share with you today, Oh the rain? It never happened. Not more than that 30 second drizzle at least.

That's all for today, Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Throwback Thursday - 15 March 2018 Edition

Welcome To The Exploration Photography Daily View

Today's throwback is from March 15, 2015. It's subject is one of my favorites. Here we see two photos I made at Valley Forge Park.

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Click For Full Size Image

This scene should look familiar though it is from a different perspective than usual. It's "my favorite tree" from the opposite side. I usually shoot it from the cabin side. But I don't think I'll be doing this one again soon. All of that nicely mowed field is now grown in and is pretty tall. But who knows? Maybe I'll give it a try.

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Here is Yesterday's View...

Wednesday March 14, 2018

And that will do it for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Welcome To The Sunday View

Today's photo is another shot from yesterday at Valley Forge. It is a familiar scene to those who follow my blog since I shoot it during just about every trip I make to the park. I guess it's because this cabin happens to be located next to "my favorite tree".

Click For Full Size Image

Here is the EXIF data.

And now...

Yesterday's View...

Saturday December 16, 2017

That's all for today my friends. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Exploration Photography Daily View - November 24, 2016

Hi and welcome to the Daily View!

Happy Thanksgiving my friends! As we enjoy this day of giving thanks for what we have and spending time with family and friends I would also like to thank you for stopping by and checking out whatever it is I may to share with you. 

This morning I set out to shoot a sunrise over Valley Forge. It's been a while and I don't work today so I thought it would be nice. Nature on the other hand had other ideas. And one of them was clouds. But I didn't let that discourage me. After all I was at one of the prettiest places around full of open space and lots of history. So instead of a sunrise please enjoy this.

This is one of my favorite scenes and I often try to make it just a little bit better. And while there is room for improvement I like it. Hmm, perhaps a black and white version would be nice...

And now...

Yesterday's View...

Wednesday November 23, 2016

Thanks for stopping by folks and have a very Happy Day!

Until next time...

Exploration Photography Daily View - October 22, 2016

Hi and welcome to the Daily View!

Well folks it seems that the cooler temperatures of Autumn are upon us and Summer is taking a vacation for the next several months. Oh it's not freezing but it sure is chilly. And the rain we had today along with strong wind really made it tough to be outside. Fortunately though the rain ended in time for me to take a drive through Valley Forge to photograph the changing colors of the leaves. And I got lots of good stuff. For today's photo I would like to share this with you.

I've done this scene before but it is one of those places that draws me back again and again. And look, it's in color! But I wonder how it would look in black and white?

And now...

Yesterday's View...

Friday October 21, 2016

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Exploration Photography Daily View - March 27, 2016

Hi and welcome to the Daily View!

Happy Easter everyone!

Over the past few years I have come to start an Easter tradition of visiting Valley Forge to photograph the sunrise and then whatever else I am in the mood to work with. Well though I continued this tradition today I was unable to get the sunrise because it was way too cloudy. But that's okay because I was able to concentrate on other areas. Of course I shot a lot of frames of "my favorite tree". I can never seem to get enough of it. I would dare say I have photographed that tree on several dozen occasions and probably well over a thousand frames. Probably a lot more than a thousand. After I was done with the tree I did one of the things I often preach about in photography. I turned around. I always say that turning around can often lead to an even better scene than that I just finished with. I guess it boils down to observing everything around and really take in the environment. Even if it is somewhere I have been many times before I might just see it in a different way or from a different angle. This keeps it fresh if you know what I mean. At least that's how it is for me.

So today I am sharing what I saw when I turned around.

The moment I started to process the RAW image I knew this had to be black and white.

When I got home from the park the Garden Cafe was filled to the gills with diners. Big birds and little birds alike. And our squirrels too of course. The fountain bird bath got lot's of visitors too. Here's a video showing many birds coming and going.

This is best viewed full screen in 1080P HD. It's kind of long but there is a lot of action from start to finish. Feel free to scan through it.

And now...

Yesterday's View...

 Saturday March 26, 2016

Before I go I would like to give you a quick history as to how my tradition of visiting Valley Forge on Easter morning started.  

Several years ago both of my parents passed. My dad in 2004 and my Mom in 2005. They are both buried at the cemetery at Washington Memorial Chapel located at Valley Forge. I try to visit when I can and a few years ago I went on Easter morning and just sort of did so every year since. It sort of makes this very special day even more special. And though the day can be somewhat solemn it is also very inspiring too.

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog my friends! I really appreciate it. Please be sure to come back real soon because I have a lot of good stuff coming your way.

Until next time...

Exploration Photography Daily View - February 2, 2016

Hi and welcome to the Daily View!

It's February second and that means it's Groundhog Day! And Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow so it means an early Spring for us. You know because this is science we're dealing with :) Okay maybe it's not science but it is a fun tradition. But how accurate is Phil? Well according to this article about 39% of the time. But I will gladly accept his prediction for an early Spring this year. Though we haven't had a bad Winter overall.

Today I am sharing another shot from my Valley Forge trip on Sunday. It's another scene that I have done many times but I really like how this came out. I think the snow is what makes it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

April 10, 2015 - Photo Of The Day

I was going over the photos I shot at Valley Forge on Easter Sunday and came across a couple that I had forgotten about. The reason I "misplaced" them is because they were shot with my phone and not my regular camera. So now that they are found I would like to share a couple with you. These were both shot at Washington Memorial Chapel.

This is the Chapel Cabin Shop and is a great place to grab a snack and a drink and maybe even a souvenir or two. You can even deposit an old flag in that box at the left of the door to be properly retired. I should also mention that the shop is run by volunteers.

This is the back of the chapel. Most photos I see show the front side but I think the architecture is nice all the way around.

Anyone who knows me knows that Valley Forge is very special to me. When I was young my parents would often take me there on weekends. We would walk the whole park. And I mean the whole park. I was always tired at the end and probably a little cranky. I miss that now that they are gone. What I would give for one more trip there with them. But I do try my best to visit them on Easter and other times of the year at the park. They are both laid to rest at the Cemetery behind the Chapel.

And that's what I have for you today folks. Thank you so much for stopping by. I'll be back real soon though and I hope you will be too.

Until next time...

March 17, 2015 - Photo Of The Day

Today we continue with my trip to Valley Forge on Sunday. I have shot this on many occasions but I tried to make it a little more unique this time. If you have been following his blog or my photos for any amount of time you will recognize the scene. Check it out.

What do you think? I kind of like it. I tried to bring out the environment which was a little cool and very, very windy. The wind was so fierce at one point that I had trouble shooting because I couldn't steady my hands and my camera.

Of course I also have my daily "Amaryllis Watch" photo for you. I really think it's close now. You can see the tip of the bud getting ready to open. At least that's the way I see it.

I took the plant outside onto the deck this afternoon to shoot this. I think the sun is good for it too. I did bring it in though because it's supposed to get cold tonight. Crazy weather this time of year.

And I'll see you all real soon folks. Come back and see what I post next. I am still working through some ideas for the near future. I think you will like some of them. Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time...

November 28, 2014 - Photo of The Day (And A Few Extra)

Over the last few Friday's I have been posting "retro" pictures. I started doing this because Fridays are usually busy and also to share some of my earlier work. And it also let's me see and share with you how I have changed in technique over the years. Today however I had off from work and had time to go out and shoot a little. That is after some quick shopping.

Today I am doing another "pick your own" photo of the day. That means I am posting a few shots and I'll let you pick your favorite. How's that sound?

I shot these on my way home when I drove through Valley Forge. I wanted to get some pictures while there was still some snow on the ground.

So there you have it folks. Which one do you like best? Let me know in the comments and thanks for visiting. Be sure to come back soon.

Until next time...

October 9, 2014 - Photo Of The Day

The weather today was picture perfect. A fine day to use up some vacation time at work. And I did just that! Being it was a nice day I thought it would be a great time to drive over to Valley Forge and shoot some photos. Apparently I wasn't the only one. The place was packed with tourists and photographers alike.

I shot almost 200 frames today and I think I got some good stuff. It will take a while to sift through everything and process the good ones but I did get a couple done. Here is today's photo. This is one of the many recreated cabins throughout the park presented in black & white.

And here is another one showing some of the inside of the cabin.

This and all of the cabins at Valley Forge may look sturdy and secure and I suppose to an extent they are but they were barley a match for the severe and frigid winter of 1777 and 1778. Not to mention that not all of the soldiers camped there even had cabins. Add to that a shortage of proper clothing and food and we are only scratching the surface of the hard times that General Washington's troops endured. To learn more I encourage you to check out this link.

Valley Forge of today is a beautiful park with plenty of open space and scenery to enjoy with the entire family. Even man's best friend is welcome there. On a leash of course :) We should however consider the extreme sacrifice that took place there that helped America gain Independence and afford us the luxury of such a place.

Thanks so much for visiting and please check back soon. I have some cool stuff coming up! And be sure to check out the Facebook Group here for some behind the scenes and other extras.

Until next time...