Showing posts with label portrait. Show all posts
Showing posts with label portrait. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Legacy In Winter ...




“Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.”
        (“If you seek his monument, look around.”)
 
         ~ Epitaph of Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England, of which he was architect. The phrase is generally used to describe a person’s legacy – and can be taken to mean that what we leave behind (including intangible things like relationships) best represents our life.

General Harry C. Trexler looks majestic and stately on horseback as a light January snowfall brushes this beautiful bronze statue of his image on a winter afternoon at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

General Trexler (1854-1933) is the father of Allentown’s park system. He was an industrialist, agriculturist, philanthropist, conservationist and soldier. The park is his namesake.

During his lifetime, General Trexler contributed a great deal to the growth and quality of life in the City of Allentown and the surrounding County of Lehigh. 

This bronze statue of General Trexler was presented to the City of Allentown by his trustees Nolan P. Benner, William B. Butz, Joseph S. Young, Carl J.W. Hessinger and Richard E. White. It was commissioned January 16, 1979 and dedicated May 8, 1982.

General Trexler was a great man, and I’m personally very thankful to him, as Trexler Memorial Park and Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania are two of my very favorite places to be and to photograph.

Monday, December 7, 2015

The Christmas Wish ...


"For it is good to be children sometimes,

and never better than at Christmas,

when its mighty Founder was a child Himself."

                                            ~ Charles Dickens

                                                                 ~ 1812-1870

                                                                     ~"A Christmas Carol"

                                                          ~published December 19, 1843


Remember thinking about your Christmas wish list for Santa Claus?
This little girl's expression in this candid shot suggests she's doing just that as she rides
the Christmas Train - not to the North Pole, but through the rolling
Pennsylvania countryside.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves also
boarded the festive train in early December on the 
WK&S (Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern, Inc.) Railroad, Kempton, Pennsylvania.

The Hawk Mountain Line takes a scenic ride of six-and-a-half miles, on track
of the old Reading  Railroad, running along the Ontelaunee Creek, through
the farms and woods of Berks and Lehigh Counties.

 

 

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Music Of The Forest ...


"In the forest no tree grows straight.
But they all reach up towards
the light and the goodness in life."
                                          ~ Native American Proverb

As I was walking the trails of Lehigh Parkway, Allentown, Pennsylvania
on an October day, I heard the beautiful strains of "Amazing Grace"
floating through the air. I looked up and saw this man playing the 
Gospel hymn on his Native American flute. 

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The Autumn Painter ...




"Autumn paints in colors that summer has never seen."
                                                                        ~ Author Unknown

Brushstroke by brushstroke, a painter captures on canvas
the glorious autumn beauty God has painted this October
at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

I took this candid shot of the artist and her easel
nestled in a picturesque spot between the ford of the 
Jordan Creek and the pedestrian bridge at the preserve. 

Monday, July 13, 2015

First Mate ...


"People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ..."


                                         ~ "Best Friend"
                                           ~by Harry Nilsson
                                               ~ "Theme Song of The Courtship of Eddie's Father"
                                                                                      ~ 1969-1972

A man and his furry first mate set out in a small kayak
on a perfect summer day at Leaser Lake, 
in the shadow of the northern Blue Mountain Ridge,
New Tripoli, Pennsylvania. 
The sight of this man and his adorable dog - both in life jackets - 
brings to life the words of that iconic song, "Best Friend."

Leaser Lake's namesake is Frederick Leaser, who in September 1777
with his farm team hauled The Liberty Bell from 
Philadelphia to Allentown where it was concealed in
Zion Reformed Church. His homestead is located one mile north of the lake.


 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

On The Delaware ...


"Wrinkles should merely indicate
where smiles have been."
                               ~ Mark Twain
                                                ~ 1835-1910

When I saw this man fishing on 
the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, New Jersey
on an early September evening, I wondered from his
expression what thoughts and memories were
crossing his mind. The man was fishing near
the historic Northampton Street Bridge,
commonly called The Free Bridge, which spans the 
Delaware River between Phillipsburg, New Jersey
and Easton, Pennsylvania. The Free Bridge was completed in 1896 
and survived the damage from massive flooding from
Hurricane Diane in 1955. It undersent a thorough
restoration in 1990. 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

What, No Tadpoles?


The simple joys that make a child's summer magical are 
captured as this girl tries to catch tadpoles in the Jordan Creek on a summer afternoon
at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

The Innocence of Youth ...


Beautiful white-tailed deer fawn poses on a summer evening
just off the Ironton Rail Trail, North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Portrait Of A Summer Doe ...


Beautiful white-tailed deer doe pauses while grazing
on a summer evening just off the Ironton Rail Trail,
North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania.

Friday, July 11, 2014

The Monochrome Blues ...


"But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues ..."
                                           ~ "Summertime Blues"
                                                                ~ 1958

The song says there ain't no cure for 
the summertime blues, and there
ain't no cure for monochrome 
Great Blue! This Great Blue Heron
sits for a portrait in high contrast
monochrome on a summer evening at
Trexler Memorial Park, 
Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Monday, June 30, 2014

Age Of Innocence ...


Sweet and beautiful white-tailed deer fawn poses 
in a field just off the Ironton Rail Trail, North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania
at sunset in June.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Doe Eyes ...

"The eyes are the window to your soul..."
                                  ~ William Shakespeare
                                                                     (1564-1616)

Sweet and gentle white-tailed deer doe 
shows off her beautiful eyes this evening in the park.
I've been blessed to photograph this doe and her
fawns for the past two years. 

Friday, May 30, 2014

All You Need Is Love ...


"... All you need is love, love
Love is all you need."
                           ~ Lennon & McCartney
                                               1967

You can just hear the Beatles singing their great song
when seeing the simple joys of childhood
and family love in focus in this candid shot
 on Memorial Day at Wehr's Dam, Orefield, Pennsylvania. 

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Call Waiting ...

You never know what  you'll see on the trail!
This man's parrot waits for him to pay attention to him
instead of the phone in this candid shot taken recently
at Lehigh Parkway, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The Snapshot ...

"So gather moments while you may
Collect the dreams you dream today
Remember, will you remember
The times of your life?"
                                        ~ "Times of Your Life"
                                                              ~ Paul Anka

When I snapped this candid shot recently at Trexler Memorial Park,
Allentown, Pennsylvania, it reminded me of Paul Anka's 1975 song
used as the theme of Kodak commercials.
 






                      

Monday, January 27, 2014

The Doe In Winter



"How can a deer tell when a leaf falls silent in the forest?
She hears it breathing differently."
                                                                   ~ Richard Bach

Beautiful white-tailed deer doe seemingly poses for a portrait on a winter's day in the park last week. There is snow on her face after eating an apple, a wonderful sight to see!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Smile, Lil' Cowboy!



This little guy didn't look like he was enjoying himself too much at Oktoberfest this weekend in the quaint West End Theatre District, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Light of Innocence



"It's never too late to have a happy childhood."
                                                                 ~ Tom Robbins

These two sisters were filled with the innocent joy of childhood seeing the ducks earlier this week at Monocacy Park, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Running On Innocence


"No matter what happens, always keep your childhood innocence. It's the most important thing." ~ Federico Fellini

When I saw this little girl running to see the ducks today at Monocacy Park, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, it reminded me of a snapshot of the joy of childhood innocence.


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

And That's Love ...


"Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be ..."
                                                               ~ Robert Browning

It warmed my heart to see this scene yesterday on the Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, Pennsylvania.