The fourth of July is a time to reflect,as well as a time to enjoy with family and friends, and one local town near me does its best to celebrate in grand fashion.That town is Lititz,Pa and it seems everyone gets into the patriotic spirit in town as the old red,white and blue proudly waves all over town. Most photos shown are from the Moravian church that has made a tradition of placing thousands of flags across the grounds in neatly lined rows,and the rest include a funeral home done very tastefully and a flag lined main thoroughfare.
Heritage Days2
Heritage Days
One local community in Amish country holds what is called heritage days every year in the towns park and I usually drive around the area trying to get images of folks heading to the event. You would never know it by this image but it was getting very late and was very dark when I saw this scene coming together and it forced me to shoot at 2000 iso almost wide open. It is kinda noisy in a large version but still I loved the girls waving to the guys coming up the road as they headed to heritage days.
Hanging Wash
Party Time
Watch the Toes
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.
A Sweltering Ride
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.
Work is Dragging
Dynamic Duo
Evening Skies
Sunset Plowing
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.
Taking it Easy
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.
Going Fishing
Fields of Gold
A Girl and her Goat
The Iris Garden
Back of the Line
The Big Guns
Farm Flower Stand
Framing the Landscape
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.
Painterly Fields
Another Cool Columbine
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.


































