Josh Friedman Photography: June 2020

"...you know, the darkest hour,

is always just before the dawn."

David Crosby (Long Time Gone)

Throughout our country and the world, 2020 has started unlike any year in my lifetime. As the Coronavirus pandemic necessitated social distancing and other safety measures, so much of our time has been in our own homes. We have been physically separated from friends and family, and many have had very limited access to their familiar surroundings and the outside world.

My wife and I have been very fortunate to have our two sons (one who lives and works in New York City, and the other who goes to college in Philadelphia) back home with us for an extended period. For us, this has really been a "silver lining" in a difficult circumstance.
For me, regular solo photography outings have provided an opportunity to clear my head from the "stay at home" measures. Additionally, there has been a feeling of normalcy in seeing some of my favorite Yardley and Bucks County locations, coupled with the rising and setting sun, the moon, blooming flowers, goslings, foggy mornings, and the gradual transition from gray to green.

In most instances, the timing (e.g. very early morning) and physical setting provided plenty of social distancing. For the first time in my life, a mask and hand sanitizer became regular additions to my camera, lenses, tripod and other equipment.

At the tail end of the period covered by the following photographs, our country has become focused on long simmering racial tensions, reminding me of the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." In light of the current racial, emotional, medical, and financial difficulties that so many Americans are facing, this post is intended as a brief respite. I took all of these Bucks County photographs between January 18th and June 2nd.

The "Old Library" in Snow, Yardley,
Pennsylvania. January 18, 2020.

St. Andrew's Church reflected in Lake Afton
in Winter, Yardley, Pennsylvania. January 18, 2020.

Patterson Farm, Yardley, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. February 9, 2020

Tombstones of Revolutionary War Soldiers (Mostly Unknown),
northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park.
New Hope, Pennsylvania. February 9, 2020.

The Lower Trenton Bridge (commonly called the "Trenton Makes" Bridge) crossing the Delaware River between Trenton, New Jersey and Morrisville, Pennsylvania. February 21, 2020.

Sunrise over the Delaware River, with the American Flag,
as seen from the Lumberville-Raven Rock Bridge,
Lumberville, Pennsylvania. February 22, 2020.

1940's "International" Truck, Point Pleasant,
Pennsylvania. February 22, 2020.

Cabin Run Covered Bridge, Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania.
February 22, 2020.

Before Sunrise at Patterson Farm, Yardley, Pennsylvania.
February 29, 2020.

Sunrise on the Delaware Canal and Towpath, Yardley,
Pennsylvania. March 3, 2020.

Sunrise over the Delaware River and the West Trenton
Railroad Bridge, seen from Yardley, Pennsylvania. March 10, 2020.

Calhoun Street Bridge crossing the Delaware River in fog, before sunrise, as seen from Morrisville, Pennsylvania. March 20, 2020.

Lumberville-Raven Rock Bridge, crossing the Delaware River, with the rising sun. Lumberville, Pennsylvania. March 22, 2020.

Lake Afton before sunrise, Yardley, Pennsylvania.
March 26. 2020.

Sunset at Patterson Farm, Yardley, Pennsylvania. March 30, 2020.

Rising Moon behind the American Flag,
Yardley, Pennsylvania. April, 2, 2020.

Spring reflections in the Delaware Canal, Erwinna, Pennsylvania. If you look closely, a family of deer are crossing the canal in the background. April 5, 2020.

Sunrise at the historic Thompson-Neely House, in the northern
part of Washington Crossing Historic Park. New Hope, Pennsylvania. April 12, 2020.

The Bucks County Playhouse (in New Hope, Pennsylvania)
reflected in the Delaware River, as seen from
Lambertville, New Jersey. April 12, 2020.

First light on Lake Afton, Yardley, Pennsylvania.
April 14, 2020.

First rays of sunlight on the top of Bowman's Hill
behind the historic Thompson-Neely Mill. New Hope, Pennsylvania. April 19, 2020.

The rising sun over the Delaware Canal and Towpath,
New Hope, Pennsylvania. April 19, 2020.

The Delaware Canal and Towpath, in Delaware Canal State Park,
New Hope, Pennsylvania. April 21, 2020.

American flag with blooming tulips.
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. April 21, 2020.

Blooming Dogwoods, The "Old Library", and Lake Afton,
Yardley, Pennsylvania. April 25, 2020.

Close up of Dogwood flowers in front of the
"Old Library" and Lake Afton, Yardley, Pennsylvania.
April 25, 2020.

Delaware Canal and Towpath, Solebury, Pennsylvania.
April 28, 2020.

Historic Mill at Cuttalossa Farm,
New Hope, Pennsylvania. April 28, 2020

Wildflowers at Sunrise, Point Pleasant,
Pennsylvania. May 2, 2020.

New Hope-Lamberville Bridge, crossing the Delaware River
at Sunrise, as seen from New Hope, Pennsylvania. May 5, 2020.

Goslings along the Delaware Canal.
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. May 5, 2020.

Patterson Farm with setting moon,
Yardley, Pennsylvania. May 9, 2020.

Fonthill Castle in Spring with Dogwood Tree,
Doylestown, Pennsylvania. May 12, 2020.

Setting moon over the Fonthill Castle,
Doylestown, Pennsylvania. May 12, 2020.

Tombstones of Revolutionary War Soldiers (Mostly Unknown),
northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park.
New Hope, Pennsylvania. May 17, 2020.