Photograph info: This photograph was taken three miles outside Durham Township where a developer is clearing many acres of forested land [habitat] in preparation for a housing development.

Camera settings and post-processing: Photographed with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens at 35mm, ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/200s. No post-processing.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

-- Kathleen

* FINALLY! * One of the greatest challenges of running this photoblog is that I receive many requests for prints but I've been unable to keep up with demand due to my busy shooting schedule. Today I'm excited to announce that I now have a system in place to offer special editions of selected museum-quality prints at 40% off regular prices. Check out the first selection in this series on the Durham Township Print Shop page.

Even a fine misty, moody, picture does not excuse
Another housing development the locals should refuse.
For gone from the country is another stand of trees
To be replaced by a vision of what might sell and people please.
Granted, folks need homes, a place to hang their hat;
But is it necessary to carve up another chunk of wooded habitat?
It seems that there are plenty of available homes both new and old.
How about putting some effort in getting these places from "For Sale" to "Sold"!

Kathleen,
Sorry to see habitat land go into developement. Awhile back weren't you involved in preventing farm land from such development ? We're all faced with such 'problems' - blight . Your photo captured the condition, sadly !
Adolph

Amazing to see a lopsided wacko sapling transformed into an elegant and intriguing myriad of soft lines, multiplying as they taper toward each lofty vanishing point. Even a vacant lot, kissed by a fog, can become some kind of prints:)

JPH: Bravo!!!

Kathleen: This photo has captured a sad feeling of loss for what once was and for the man made junk that will replace it.

Hate to hear about more open land being turned into house lots. Sad story but mesmerizingly beautiful photograph.

I love the minimalism that makes the fog.

Greetings!

what the hell? the #*%@ developers are still building ??!??!?

Kathleen,
Glad to see you turn your photographic attention to saving our open spaces! Good going! I don't know about you but I don't need another bank, dry cleaner, empty store front or house cluttering up my open spaces...
Thanks for this one, Pat

Adolph and Pat: I've worked with various land conservation groups for many years. They use my photography in their efforts toward preserving open space.

I chose to live in an area that's still largely agricultural so I can bring awareness to the importance of our dwindling open space. The goal of this photoblog has always been to show how the land is used to grow our food, supply clean drinking water, provide habitat for wildlife and give people a sense of well-being.

Oh no, so sad to see this land cleared for a housing project.

very somber. very sad. thank you for this.

This is beautiful and peaceful. Would rather homes than macadam if it must be.

I will be willing to bet that each of you lives in a house, the construction of which resulted in the loss of open space. My appologies to those of you who actually live in a nest, burrow or cave.

Do you plan on helping me pay my taxes so I can keep my land as it is forever for you to continue to enjoy and profit from?

I also bet some of your children and grandchildren someday are going to want a lovely home on some of that open space nearby.

Also, consider this --
keep promoting the beauty and more will come and ruin it.

Great photojournalism, Kathleen. The Lancaster developers have moved into York Co. now that farm land preservation is in place in Lancaster. We're suffering the same landscape blight here.

Sophia: Your land is safe for a long while. I am sure that developers have more to do than staying glued to this blog watching and waiting to see where they can pounce on some beautiful land.

Hello Kathleen. I really enjoyed your article about the Durham Grist Mill. The other website was acutally the same one that I linked to on my post. It really has some good info. I've been living in Bucks County for less than a year and I love driving around and taking pictures. Durham Township seems like a very nice place and I plan to return. I'm going to look through your archives for ideas and hopefully I'll learn from your excellent photographic style.

Without knowing that the photo is statement against housing developers, I thought the photo was eerie with a lone figure walking through the mist. I liked that.
As to developers, our population is still growing and developers are businessmen. If there was no one to buy their houses they would stop building them. But they also have people on payroll and mouths to feed. This is how they make their living and contribute to the recovery of our sick economy. Hopefully, they will replant trees after the houses are completed.

Sally:
Read James' post.

so gorgeous. beautiful mood.

Nice captures with Canon camera....

Sofia: You might be happier finding a monastery somewhere. Plenty of ground for a farm, no taxes for the religious, no strangers trespassing your land. Or you could continue working like everyone else whose taxes are also high.

nice:)

What a great capture.absolutely nice.

Sally:
Yes, it's true. Add freedom from toil and it sounds like heaven to me.
I expect just about every one in Durham wishes for these things also.

Is there a link here for a Bucks County Realtor? I was jus thinkin'... That lot big enough for a Monastery? Online donations? tax free? Perhaps it's time to walk through the valley of fog..... Ooooooommmmmmmmm. Sister Lucy? Father Jon? Let us prey. (oops)

Wonderful art in that photo. I love it.

Bonsoir,
An amazing capture..Very nice "atmosphere"..Great work as usual!..Bravo!

This is a beautiful shot!

Stunning..desolate mood. Love this!!

Great juxtaposition. The mist makes the photo very moody.

Stunning. The lone figure totally makes this as I am sure you knew when the shutter was pressed.

The interesting thing about fog and mist is that it is so fleeting, like the existence of raw land, rain forests, and the ice shelves of Antarctica. Very nice photo.

oh, Kathleen. I just can't wait to see spring on Your photos. I mean, I really CAN'T.

It's always such a pleasure and inspiration to visit your blog. It's moments like these that touch the soul and make me wish for more foggy days. Beautiful shot!

yes! this i like. cool!

Great mood! Very mysterious...

I noticed this after searching for a friends photos from the area. He's going to be working for us at http://wwww.graffiti-usa.com Working on the arts section that's coming soon as we want to be more than a news and politics site.

Anyway, great photo! I have many from the Missouri Countryside. Some of my favorite photos are ones taken in the middle of nowhere.