The first rays of sun begin to skim across the frozen landscape in this rural location.
Mud Sale Delivery Crew
Amish boys bring their wagons to the mud sales and offer assistance to buyers who need to get purchases to their cars from the auction site.The popularity of the mud sales means parking is hard to come by and walking a half mile or more is not unheard of. For me,I get there around 530 in the morning,get the best parking available and then sleep till the sun comes up. The boys make a few dollars off each patron and the english as they are referred too, love to have the boys help, and for many it is their closest interaction with the Amish. Each worker tries to stand out, and customizing their wagons with signs is all part of the fun as shown in the middle image.The bottom photo shows how muddy it usually is and shows the boys hauling practically anything.
Mill at Dawn
Keenly Aware
As I have said before, the Amish are incredibly aware of their surroundings and capturing images can be a challenge. In this instance at the mud sale,I was practically hidden behind a full skid of wood,and yet as soon as I snapped this shot from forty feet away,he suddenly knew I was there.This was my only image I got without him looking my way.
Fleeting Moment Missed
Yesterday I posted the six boys looking the same direction and after reviewing my images from that day,I realized I had another image of them earlier in the day. This shot stands out in my memory because of the shot I missed right after this one. Whenever I attend events like this were Amish will be attending, I try and lay low below the radar and I try to capture spontaneous moments using long lenses. I snapped this image and immediately looked away to not draw attention to myself but as I glanced back at them I saw the smallest boy had both his thumbs against his cheeks with his hands stretched open and his tongue out as he made the funny face at whoever they were looking at.I no sooner started to lift my camera and he was finished with the show,and I can only imagine the unique shot I would have gotten. The Amish are generally conservative but I do occasionally see glimpses of things that reflect what the rest of the world does and these were just boys being boys.
Fleeting Moment
This is one of those fleeting moments that lasts just long enough to get one shot and then its gone.These six Amish boys were intently looking at an auction item that was being bid on at the mud sale and I had enough time to see the moment,raise the camera and snap one frame till they all lost interest and their attention went all over the place.
Catching Up
Two Amish elders discuss the latest goings on at a mud sale in this light-hearted moment.
Flooded Field Reflection
flood waters provide an opportunity to catch this reflective scene right around sunset when the evenings chores are getting underway at this Amish farm in Lancaster county,Pa.
Heave Ho
These four Amish men join forces to move a newly purchased buggy at the mud sale. The mud made the moving of items extra difficult.
Anxious to Wash It
A young Amish man speaks with an elder as they push the buggy through the mud. The buggy needed a good wash and shine after this trek.
A Drenching Walk
An Amish family heads through the rain on the way to the mud sale.Dad and his son seem unfazed by the rain.
Full Throttle Mud Sale
These Amish youngsters checks out kids motorcycles at the local mud sales. The boy in the upper photo tried the throttle and nothing happened but his imagination was wondering what it might be like to ride this pint-sized Harley, and the boys in the lower photo seem to have a need for speed as the check a kids road bike.Both cycles are kind of unique at a mud sale but you will see all kinds of stuff there.
A Day For Umbrellas
This family heads to the mud sale amidst pouring rain and is doing their best to stay dry.
Everybody Out
This Amish family arrives at the local mud sale in the rain and everyone quickly gets out so dad can go park the buggy.Pouring rain made this a miserable day but I shot this from the comfort of my truck up the road with a long lens.
Catching Up
These two Amish men talk about the goings on at this years mud sale while they try to stay as dry as possible.
Whoa There
It was so wet at this mud sale these corn shock horses were even wearing rain gear,which made these Amish boys stop and take a look.
Heading to the Mud Sale
Mud sale season is in full swing and this father and four children walk along the snow-covered road together as a pair of buggies pass. This is the first time I remember so much snow when mud sales are happening but the snow did not stay around too long.
Classic Beard
This Amish man has a long beard which is worn by many Amish in my area. He was at the mud sale bidding on items.It would take me decades to grow a beard like this.
Crossing the Creek
The sun rises to illuminate this old bridge sitting amid a winter wonderland.
Snow Covered Farmhouse
Snow clings to trees on this beautiful winters day in rural Lancaster county ,Pennsylvania.
A Blanket of White
Snow blankets the landscape in this late winter storm.
A Painterly Reflection
This is another image I captured after looking for water collecting in fields this spring. This old mill sits right along the road and with just a short walk down the bank here,I was rewarded with the morning sun creating this lovely reflection in the ice.A barn across the street adds to the composition in this country scene that would make a gorgeous painting.
By the Road
A small shack sits at the entrance to this snow covered lane.
Love One Another
This little scene played out at the mud sale and thankfully I was ready to capture it. The six little Amish girls in the foreground were talking and eating candy when all of a sudden they spontaneously wrapped their arms around each other and gave a big group hug. It only lasted a few moments but it was so special to be witness to youngsters caring for each other.
Steampunk Buggy
This passing buggy reminded of the steampunk creations that many people make from industrial items.The mechanical item on the buggy looked like it was some sort of turbo charged addition to make the buggy faster. Steampunk is a fictional genre that combines science fiction and fantasy and people create things that look like real items from an imaginary Victorian era.
Layered Farms
Farms are scattered across the landscape in this winter scene.
Frozen Mail
This mailbox is coated in ice and is almost unrecognizable.
Farm and Home
This icy reflection includes both the home and barn and thanks to heavy rain and snow melt,this great scene was there for me to capture.
Going Four Wheeling
This Amish man prepares to head out on a snowy winter day. It could either be four-wheel drive or four hoof drive.
Are You Pulling?
This is one of many images that I will be sharing from recent mud sales in my area. The first mud sale I went to was of epic proportions this year as rain fell most of the day on an already soaked ground from winter snow melt. The mud was up to a foot deep in some places and I saw more than one Amish gentleman walk right out of his muck boots as they stuck fast. These two guys are moving a purchased buggy through the mud and it appears if they wonder if the other guy is helping? A mud sale is an auction held in spring and is usually muddy because of spring weather.
Donald Reese Photography 