Friday, December 19, 2008

An October Visit To Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is located near the village of Kleinfeltersville in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. It is operated by The Pennsylvania Game Commission, with the primary focus being on waterfowl, but it provides excellent habitat for other species of wildlife as well. I was there for a morning photo shoot on Sunday morning October 12, 2008.

With all of the drab weather we are experiencing now, it seemed appropriate to post some photos of a more beautiful time of year, and this morning was superb.

Sunrise At The Main Lake

Although the area is home to a wide variety of waterfowl, most of it was too far away for good close-up shots with the 500mm F4. It seemed that Canadian geese were the most numerous species present, but even none of those got close enough for stunning portraits.

Canadian Geese Landing

The most striking feature of the morning was the stunning autumn leaves, and the frost on the grasses. Autumn starts out with a promise of many beautiful days to come, but all to soon the leaves are gone and many days are drab, dull, and colorless. This was one of those mornings that was so beautiful that it lifts ones morale and fills them with hope.


Pond Near Visitor's Center

Frosty Grass: Most Likely Little Bluestem

While the Pennsylvania Game Commission is primarily a hunting oriented agency, it does provide habitat for a wide variety of animal, bird, and plant species, both game and non-game alike.

14 comments:

Leedra said...

Beautiful post. Love the reflections in the pond.

I was glad you added the part at the bottom. Somebody told me about a place closeby the Sandhill Cranes could be seen while they are here for the winter. When I started checking it out, it is a wildlife reserve for hunting. Have to have a hunting license to enter between Nov 1 and Feb 1. So I won't be able to get in there. I was greatly disappointed because they expect around 14000 this year. I am not saying they kill the Sandhills, I hope not. Lots of ducks from what I read about it.

Tommy said...

what a great post. looks like a great place to visit

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

My goodness Willard, you don't post for a while and then you come up with this!! It was well worth waiting for but you have left me with a very difficuly choice as to which pic I like the most. I think the sunrise....no, the tree reflection ... no maybe the sunrise after all .... but then again ... LOL!! You see my dilema. :)

Kerri Farley said...

These are beautiful! That first shot is breathtaking!!

DeeMom said...

Beautiful photos

the Canada Geese landing is a stunning photo

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: Very nice capture of a great looking place to spend your time.

Ken Conger Photography said...

Nice series. Like the geese shot the best. Have a Merry and a Happy. Blue Skies.

Stacey Olson said...

Willard, thanks for all the work that you do, and have done for all species wild.. Love your new blog header.. very beautiful..
Merry Christmas to you and yours..

The Birdlady said...

I think the shot of the geese is lovely - and the others too.

Unknown said...

Your series has captured the essence of this "Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area" beautifully. I loove the first shot the best...Thomas

lv2scpbk said...

Wonderful photos. Merry Christmas!

Marvin said...

That sunrise shot is a real beauty, Willard.

Brad Myers said...

Willard, I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope 2009 brings the chance for me to meet you and your brother.

Thanks for the education, Brad

Ray Creations said...

this place is very beautiful place
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