Pittsburgh Airport

Shot this scene at the Pittsburgh Airport during a recent layover there. The ramp was closed until this storm passed through the area.

Whether Summer or Winter . . .

horse shows are frequently in season. There is nothing quite as exciting as watching a six-up hitch come boiling into the arena. This big guys know they're the show and they're ready to show off!

Pennsylvania hosts a variety of these all across the state. State and county fairs are good places to view. This scene is from the Keystone International Livestock Expo, Harrisburg.

In Memory . . . . .

A farm family's tribute to its son lost at age 17 from a traffic accident.  A soccer field dedicated to his memory and youth of the area.

Two Books on Pennsylvania's Trees

The hardbound book pictured is the well-respected work by Ann Fowler Rhoads and Timothy A. Block with drawings by Anna Anis'ko. Published by the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Press, 2005. 

Excellent reference material showing the distribution, bark, leaf, and nut or fruit, with short and thorough (pithy?) descriptions of its form, bark, twigs, pith, buds, leaves, fall color, stipules, leaf scars, flowers, seeds, plus rating the value of its wood. I especially like the notation where the largest P. A. specimen may be found: what county and the height and diameter of the monarch. Range across the continent is also given. 

Trees of Pennsylvania is the authoritative companion to Stan Tekiela's Trees of Pennsylvania, a field guide and paperback one can slip into a jacket pocket easily and find equally useful. "Stan's notes" are also "pithy" and lend perspective and understanding. 

Cousin Joyce said the big book was a great source for those school projects her children were assigned, those that sent them trekking through the woods, collecting leaves, and identifying the wonderful trees surrounding us. 

Seen in Titusville

Touring Titusville's impressive array of oil-era mansions. we found this fellow harvesting the rhododendrons in full bloom. Churchyards too were blessed with color from these faithful shrubs that survived a long and deep winter. Like this photo? More scenes at Jim Cotton's Rural Photography

Well worth it

If you're not subscribing to Pennsylvania Magazine, you're really missing some of the best information about the state's attractions to be found anywhere. It's reasonable, well written, and contains compelling, high-caliber photographs and features. Great source of tourist ideas for P. A. folks and visitors alike.

Remodeled Birdhouse

Continuing our bird housing theme, . . . here's one along a country road with a fresh roofing job. How many of the country's birdhouses can boast an asphalt shingle roof? Like this photo?

More like it at The Photography of Jim Cotton.