On Misty mornings providing it's not raining or bitterly cold I'll often go up to the bottom on the yard where the woodland gives way to the arable fields. I like to photograph the tree along the field edge. As the crop (I forget what it was) was recently harvested the field was sprayed with cow manure. It's stinky for a few hours then you don't notice it, it's a regular occurrence living in the fields and something you become accustomed to. Luckily it's been sunbaked for a couple of days and had hardened so I could walk on it ok.
Mike’s Photo Blog
Mike Dale Photography
Monday, June 29, 2026
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Summer Clouds
One aspect of summer that I really do enjoy is looking at the clouds, the heat, humidity not so much but as they are part of what goes into the cloud formations I'll live with it. Late this morning I went over to a little place called Blue Ball to drop some 'stuff' off. On the way back I called in at Middle Creek and took some photographs, particularly of the clouds. On the way back home I stopped in Schaefferstown to take a shot of this hotel I think it is. This part of Pennsylvania is very Germanic from the early settlers, the lawns without fail are absolutely pristine and clinical, not a weed in sight. I suspect that anyone with a non regulation 1" lawn is probably hanged at sunrise or run out of town at the very least.
![]() |
| Middle Creek |
![]() |
| Middle Creek |
![]() |
| Middle Creek |
![]() |
| Middle Creek |
![]() |
| Middle Creek |
![]() |
| Middle Creek |
![]() |
| Scaefferstown |
Monday, June 15, 2026
The Lane
Monday, June 8, 2026
Baby Groundhog
Saturday, June 6, 2026
A couple of Warblers
A couple of years ago I tried for a Kentucky Warbler just North of here and while attaching the Nikon Z9 and the Nikon 400mm f/ 2.8 TC to the monopod I dropped them both onto the tarmac trail pathway. Needless to say I didn't get any pictures that day. I can't remember if the Kentucky Warbler was there last year but it certainly was this year. It's a bird that's eluded me for years let alone get a photograph of one. Brian called me to say it was back and I met him on site on Thursday morning and he had already heard the Kentucky singing. I managed to get several semi useable shots but the bird was very flighty, distant and in the early morning lighting with the sun in my face they're not great but I'm happy because I finally got to see one. The Hooded Warbler was a bonus as I've never got a shot of a male.
![]() |
| Kentucky Warbler |
![]() |
| Kentucky Warbler |
![]() |
| Hooded Warbler |
![]() |
| Hooded Warbler |
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Day Out
She Who Must Not Be Named granted me a much needed day off from my domestic toils and I was reminded indirectly that the Longwood Gardens Water Lily's would be blooming by now. That settled it, I headed East to Chester County and Longwood. The weather forecast was for some clouds and possible rain showers, Not a cloud in the sky all day!
I stopped for a late lunch at the Whip Tavern an English style pub where I ordered the Haddock, Chips and Mushy Peas and ate while watching the trout in the nice clear stream. Damn, the Mushy Peas were the icing on the cake!
![]() |
| Topiary |
![]() |
| Water Fountains |
![]() |
| Lily Pond |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Orchid |
![]() |
| Orchid |
![]() |
| Orchid |
![]() |
| Orchid |
![]() |
| Orchid |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Satsuki Azalea Bonsai |
![]() |
| Satsuki Azalea Bonsai |
![]() |
| Satsuki Azalea Bonsai |
![]() |
| Satsuki Azalea Bonsai |
![]() |
| Satsuki Azalea Bonsai |
![]() |
| Satsuki Azalea Bonsai |
![]() |
| Satsuki Azalea Bonsai |
![]() |
| Japanese Maple Bonsai |
![]() |
| Korean Hornbeam Bonsai |
![]() |
| Water Lilies |
![]() |
| Beech Tree |
![]() |
| One of the lakes |
![]() |
| One of the lakes |
![]() |
| One of the lakes |
![]() |
| Chinese Scholar Tree |
![]() |
| Haddock, Chips and Mushy Pea's |
![]() |
| The Whip Tavern Trout Stream |



























































