Always Busy

Wether you are working the fields or delivering a piece of furniture,there is always something to be done in Amish country. I believe the desk was recently completed for delivery after I saw it come out the lane of a furniture shop. I basically drove ahead and hoped it would pass me and with a little luck,it went by just as the guy turned around in the field.

Redneck Amish

I had to hit the brakes as I passed this buggy maker in rural Lancaster county after I noticed the redneck decal on the front. Just when I think I have seen everything, I find something that reminds me I have not. The buggy is waiting for its last front wheel to be put on and then I might see it on the road during my travels.

Heading to the Swimming Hole

This is one of those moments that gets me excited about being a photographer and getting the chance to capture those little glimpses into Amish life here in Lancaster county. I was headed down this back road and way in the distance I saw some sort of strange convoy of sorts and not knowing what it was yet,I pulled over and waited with camera in hand just in case. About a hundred yards away I realized it was a group of Amish kids with all their swimming apparatus along and they were zipping along so I am lucky to get this shot. They had tubes,towels, floaties and even a beach chair in the back,which Made the near 100 degree day bearable. I have no idea if they have swim suits or just go in like they are shown but they all smiled at me as they passed me.

Evening Skies

A nice night in Amish country included these neat clouds. I had high hopes for a spectacular sunset because I was sure the setting sun was going to light the sky up,but the sun went behind a cloud bank just when it was getting to the horizon and it fizzled real fast.

Sunset Plowing

The sun was about as bright and glaring as it could have been for this attempt at a silhouetted farmer at work. The situation was complicated by the fact that the lens I used is extremely susceptible to flare and it was a nightmare trying to get this.

Play Time

This late evening shot includes three siblings with their chosen means of transportation. It was very dark when I shot this and the depth of field is minimal but at least the boy in the center is in focus. I got about five shots taken before the family dog came to let me know its time to move on. I have no idea what kind of dog this is but he looked a little demonic with those eyes.

An Evening Excursion

I headed out for scenery and came across this Amish wagon full of family members. I got behind them at a stop sign and knew they were turning onto a very busy road so I figured I had but one chance to get a shot as the pulled out. I picked a spot ahead of them,composed and pre-focused on it and snapped a few shots as they entered the area.Half were sharp and half had a little blur,but I only needed one and thank goodness I nailed it.

The Escape Plan

I was out trying to get a sunset image and came down a back road to find these three Mennonite girls chit chatting along the road. I drove past them and wanted to turn around to try getting a shot and as I drove up the road I noticed a buggy was headed past me and going toward them.I quickly put a long lens on,turned around and as I approached they started to laugh and I knew they were on to my plan. I quickly leaned out my window just in time to capture them making their getaway in the buggy. I loved the three colors they were wearing and was glad I turned around to get this image.

Back of the Line

I photographed this family of four on a lovely spring day a couple of weeks ago.The three larger sheep were standing there for a bit and the little one just came in the shot right when I was ready to leave. the one looking back was the icing on the cake.

The Big Guns

These two huge cloud formations dominated the sky on a recent evening and although they looked like thunder heads to me,there was never an inkling of thunder or lightning the whole evening.They still made a great backdrop for this local farm.

Barely Got It

It amazes me how many times I come across a shot only to see it being ruined right in front of me.Take this shot for example, I saw the mustard field and red barn and could only capture it with a long lens,so I pulled off the road and as I was setting up the tripod,I hear a tractor coming and of course he heads right for the mustard field. It took him all but ten minutes to totally cut down the yellow field but I had enough time to get the shot which now included the farmer.

Blanket of Purple

This is another field of purple flowers I shot this spring and I remember this spot well because I walked at least the length of two football fields through here looking for good shots. The problem was when I got back to the road which is where the trees are,I noticed my polarizer was no longer attached to my lens. It is a 77mm filter which runs about a hundred dollars, and as I turned to look back across the field I could barely see anywhere I had walked? Well I figured it was a lost cause,but after about five minutes of walking, I spotted it among the flowers.