Ventures In Photos

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Preston Signs 051116

This week's blog posts are

from our walk at Preston Park.

As you can see 'signs' abound

and this is only some of them.

The entire property has a fenced or wooded perimeter and is not visible from outside.

“It's a hidden jewel that we were not aware of. No one really knew, or paid attention to what was there, because you could not see it"

Joining:

Signs, Signs w/Lesley

Preston Outdoors 051116

These photos are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the outdoors at this park.

(or in Dr. Preston's case 'the lip of the moraine'.

There is a large oval arboratum where several of the trees have signs describing what they are.

I like the unique pruning of this row.

This is the back of the lab and upstairs residence.

Now turn slowly from the above spot

and this is your view down the terraced lawn.

As you make your way down the lawn

the serenity of the pond can be felt.

Then the sound of the water streaming over the dam.

Back up the hill and there are a few more buildings

instrumental to the glass research.

At the beginning I used the term 'lip of the moraine'.

That was because as a conservationist, Dr. Preston

donated a large amount of land on the edge of a moraine

from the ice age which is now part of

our local state park in another location of the county.

I am fairly certain this 'pebble'

was brought from the area of the moraine.

Preston Park is an 88-acre English garden donated by Dr. Frank Preston, founder of Preston Laboratories, and Mrs. Jane Preston. Dr. Preston, a glass scientist, ornithologist, and ecologist, created and designed an English garden as a place to live, work and enjoy nature. Dr. Preston apparently walked the entire property daily at dawn, in accordance with his origins in England where a deep interest in nature is a great pastime.

Visitors are able to appreciate the natural habitat by bird watching, catch and release fishing, and studying rare plant life which includes prairie grass and hybrid tree species. Throughout the property there are many secluded and scenic areas for picnics and gatherings.

Joining

Outdoor Wednesday w/Susan

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Preston Digression 051116

For today's post I am digressing from Preston Park

to share a photo that I look at with wonderment

every time I bring it up.

The first time I viewed it on my camera

I thought it was double exposure or something.

Now that I know it's for real, I guess birds are into tattoos too.

Maybe its not that unusual of a feather pattern,

but it was a first for me!

It was a heron kind of day.

I could watch them for hours.

Yesterday's moment of joy was the capturing a Baltimore Oriole.
We've been hearing them a few days
but they tend to stay away from the house until . . .

and then at the state park today . . .
my first Pileated Woodpecker
a bit hidden by the foliage but it's that time of year.

Link here for:

Wild Bird Wednesday w/Stewart

Preston Treasures 051016

In this week's link-ups, sites and features of Preston Park are taking center stage. Although its been open to the public for a few years, last week was the first time the RG and I ventured forth.

Preston Park was the home and workplace of Frank Preston, an English-American engineer, ecologist and conservationist who helped found the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Preston was a leading expert in glass technology. Among his accomplishments was the development of a lens polishing machine for George Eastman, the founder of Eastman Kodak. He invented a glass-melting furnace that allowed Corning Glass to create Corelle glassware.

The Residence/Laboratory

The second story has a three-room apartment

built for a resident caretaker.

In 1947, the Prestons moved into the apartment

for the remainder of their lives.

In the distance you can see the roof of a small building.

This was referred to as

Jane's Cabin or 'the hacienda'.

Summer evenings were spent here

since the residence didn't have A/C.

Apparently she was a progressive

and had her own 'she shed' years before they

became the popular item of today. :)

Offices

Approximately 50-75 employees worked here.

Treasures

from the past

Machine Shop

The Pump House

and another view of the machine shop

This post has been a little longer than normal for me

but I was so taken by this hidden treasure

in our proverbial backyard

that I just had to share it.

I'll be sharing more of the grounds and fences

as the week goes by.

Joining

Tuesday's Treasures w/Tom

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Preston Blues 050916

Last week we took a relaxing walk

at Preston Park

It was very quiet and serene

The founders of the laboratory for glass research

graciously left their estate to be developed as a nature park.

Preston Park was the home and workplace of Frank Preston, an English-American engineer, ecologist and conservationist who helped found the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Joining:

Blue Monday w/Jeanne

Saturday, May 7, 2016

A Few Critters from the Week 050716

Just a few critters we saw this past week.

Need help with this one. ???

Killdeer

Coot Duck

Sign of things to come.

Tadpoles

Joining:

Saturday Critters w/Eileen

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Mid Spring Tulips 050216

Burning Heart tulips open up yellow with bold red swirls and cream petals. As the blossom matures, the yellow fades to ivory. With heights of 20” – 24” inches, it is one of the tallest Darwin hybrid tulips, making it a great cut flower for arrangements. Blooms in mid spring.

Joining:

Today's Flowers w/Denise