Fall in Valley Forge

Most of these leaves have probably fallen by now 

since my visit to Valley Forge National Park was a few weeks ago. 

 

This was the site of a Revolutionary War encampment 

of the Continental Army under George Washington. 

The park is beautiful any time of year - 

but most beautiful in fall with so many vibrant colors. 

National Memorial Arch

I have come to realize that being a Philly suburban girl 

really does have advantages. 

This field really was like a painting.
I edited with Topaz Impression to enhance that feel. 

In about an hour I can be at the beach to the east 

or mountains to the northwest. 

I can make a day trip to New York City, Baltimore Harbor or Washington DC. 

And the history - there's so much history!

Washington's Headquarters  

I just have to remind myself of these things 

with every traffic jam I encounter.  

To Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice 

Valley Forge National Park is definitely worth the visit. 

You can drive, bike or hike through the roads and/or trails. 

There is a six mile loop that hits most of the sights. 

1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406

My photos of the park can be seen here. 

Autumn Glory

I haven't had much time to spend outside this fall 

or to take photos for myself - 

but then there was one beautiful fall day last week... 

and I spent it at Valley Forge National Historic Park.

George Washington's Headquarters

Valley Forge is the site of a Revolutionary War Winter Encampment 

of the Continental Army under George Washington in 1777-1778.

The park is 3500 acres and includes trails, historic structures and monuments. 

This park is just about half an hour from my home. 

 

Inside Washington Memorial Chapel 

Naked and Starving as they are

We cannot enough admire

the Incomparable Patience and Fidelity

of the Soldiery."

–George Washington

National Memorial Arch

The park is a great place to walk, run, ride a bike and

offers interesting sights to see along the way. 

Address: 1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406

A Little Safari With Wildlife Photographer Kitty Kono

Let's just begin by saying
there is not much that will get me up at the crack of dawn
especially when a heavy mist blankets the ground.
But I did say I would get up at anytime of day 
to shoot with wildlife photographer Kitty Kono
And so when the opportunity came, I did.
Gladly.


Valley Forge National Historical Park  
King of Prussia, PA 

Kitty has an eye like a hawk
and coincidentally a hawk was the first thing she spotted
while driving through our destination in
Valley Forge National Park.


Red Tail Hawk 

We walked to a grove of trees,
our feet getting soggy wet
(Kitty had waterproof boots
so her feet were dry.)
and Kitty spotted fox kits.
How she saw them
I have no idea.
I would have walked right on past.








With the naked eye,
this fox kit just looked like a mound of dirt.
My photos were taken with a 70-200mm lens
with a 2x teleconverter on a cropped sensor camera (1.6)
giving me the equivalent of 620 mm lens.
Then I cropped the photo too,
so you can imagine how far away we were.

After we were spotted by the fox
they hid in their den
so we moved onto other things
all spotted by Kitty.


Blue Jay On A Nest 


Common Yellowthroat  



Eastern Towhee 


Red Winged Blackbird (Female)  


Red Winged Blackbird (male) 


Eastern Kingbird 


Baltimore Oriole (Female)  


Baltimore Oriole (Male) 

I am not a wildlife photographer.
I do not have a honkin' big lens.
I hate carrying a tripod.
I do not know all the sounds the animals make.
I do not have infinite patience
to sit and wait for something to happen
with gnats feasting on my body.
But, obviously Kitty Kono has all of that
and this trip was about learning.

Kitty Kono in Action  
Note she carries her tripod AND a honkin' big lens.  

If you want to see what a real wildlife photographer's
images look like, check out Kitty's Flickr or Website.
I've gotta long way to go
and lots of money to spend
on the way!

Thanks to my photographer friend
Michelle Alton for setting up this outing with Kitty.
You can check out her excellent work
on her website.

My pics are a bit noisy as I had the ISO cranked  

to get a fast enough shutter speed  

to hand hold the camera (thus the tripod  

that I should have carried)  
and I forgot to lower it back down some  
after shooting the fox in the dark grove of trees.  
Typical me.  

A Walk Through Valley Forge National Park

If you grew up in the United States 

you have likely heard of Valley Forge. 

George Washington slept here after all! 

Replica soldier's cabins

In fact, it was the home of his soldier's winter quarters 

during the cold Winter of 1777. 

Inside a cabin

And it was also the sight of some much needed training for his soldiers. 

Training which helped change the course of the war. 

Another replica cabin

 Today, the rolling hills in the park,  

with trails for hiking, riding and biking 

create an environment suitable for reflection. 

 The National Memorial Arch dedicated "to the officers and private soldiers 

of the Continental Army December 19, 1777 - June 19, 1778". 

I wonder how many people actually reflect... 

or remember: 

What was this war really about? 

Who lost their life in the fight? 

 Do we appreciate the sacrifice that was made? 

Do we value it? 

I am by nature reflective. 

I can lose myself in thought for an entire day. 

I think about things all the time. 

And I believe what was fought for in the 18th Century

is worth preserving today.  

 Independence that birthed 

a new Republic.