A Peaceful Morning Making Watecolors

 

A view along the canal at Washington Crossing State Park

I went to Washington Crossing State Park in Washington Crossing, PA this morning with the intention of creating some watercolors.

 The park, situated along the Delaware River, is famous as the starting point for General George Washington’s attack on the Hessians in Trenton on Christmas Day 1776 during the Revolutionary War.

    It was a turning point in the Revolution. After the British chased Washington and his army out of New York and down through New Jersey, he escaped across the Delaware to safety and in a daring move, re-crossed the river under terrible conditions to attack Trenton on Christmas.

    I had no such intentions. My motives were far more peaceful. With my Sony RX10 iii I intended on documenting the early days of spring in the park for my own, and I hope, your amusement.

    The watercolor function on Sony cameras allows you to act like a painter if your talent lies more in photography. It gives some wonderful perspectives, fine colors and an artistic feel to the images.

   Watercolor images of spring bring amazing tranquility to a place that was once the starting point for so much violence. A force of 2,400 Americans took on a force of 1,500 Hessians fighting for the British. The Americans had five casualties while the Hessians suffered 905.

A peaceful springtime awakening.

Lakeside tranquility.

The battle seems far away.

            The morale was extremely low for the Continental Army after its long retreat. The winter encampment was harsh and cold with sickness ravaging the troops. Things looked bleak, but they didn't have scenes like these to lift their spirits.

A watercolor of the canal bridge with a flowering tree.

Springtime flowers by the water.

           This canal was built for commerce. It was completed in 1832 and runs nearly 60 miles from Bristol to Easton, where it connects with the Lehigh Canal. The towpath allowed barges to carry raw materials like coal from northern Pennsylvania and in exchange finished goods were transported upstate. These peaceful scenes speak of times gone by when war and business held the day.

A view of the towpath and canal.

An old shack by the canal.

The towpath in sunshine.

                Washington's victory not only help establish the peace and freedom to do business and live in harmony, but it gave places for both humans and animals to thrive.

A squirrel foraging by the canal.

The squirrel enjoys the spring's peace.

A male mallard duck takes his leisure and makes his living on the canal.

The canal moved over one million tons of coal a year. It also carried lumber, building stone, lime and produce.

A watercolor photo of a goose on the lake.

Time for this goose to rest in last year's leaves.

He's protecting his nest. It's to the lower right, out of sight.

In early spring, running along the canal and its tranquility.

With peace, all things are possible.

So here at Washington Crossing State Park, we've moved from war to peace. From ugliness, we've established scenes worth of art, scenes worthy watercolors.

Enjoy the beauty.

Peace.