BUCKS COUNTY, PA

Pre-revolution farm near Washington's CrossingBucks County played prominently in the early stages of the Revolutionary War. Philadelphia, the capital of the new union, is less than a day's hard ride away. Valley Forge is in the next county, Montgomery County. Just south of New Hope is Washington's Crossing, where Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River on a frigid December night to attack and defeat the British and Hessian troops in Trenton, New Jersey.

barn, probably about 250 years oldAs I walked around this area one day, I remember how casually we all wandered around in these areas when I was young, taking the history and beauty for granted. Funny how you need to be away from some place for 25 years before you actually realize what is there.

Bowman's TowerNear Washington's Crossing is an area called Bowman's Hill. There is a tall stone observation tower located at the top of the hill, built in 1776. The surrounding area is a wildflower preserve with several miles of hiking trails through wooded hills and along the rivers. I decided to take a walk there one day, and was treated to some interesting wildlife interactions - well, interesting in the sense that the wildlife seemed to totally ignore my presence. Maybe I've become invisible and just haven't realized it yet.

Wild Turkey at Bowman's HillAs I was standing in the middle of a creek to get pictures of an old stone bridge, this wild turkey came wandering down the bank and walked right past me as if I wasn't even there. Wild turkey's have a reputation for being very smart and difficult to hunt (unlike their domestic cousins who are not quite as smart as a goldfish). This one was obviously smart enough to know that I was no threat, or else he knew he was in a protected area.

Fawn at Bowman's HillAfter I finished with the turkey, I wandered back up on the bank of the creek. As soon as I reached flat ground I heard a noise behind me. Turning around, This fawn came wandering by, passing no more than 8 feet from where I was standing.

All this was rather remarkable. I got closer to these wild animals than I could get to my own cats when I visited them in my brother's barn.

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