Photos of distinction are displayed below. The photographer’s name and award will display on the larger images.
Click on the contest titles to see the judges’ comments on the selections.
Ice Cold Plunge Couple
Photographer: Ally Spurling (Photo of Distinction)
C. February 2025
Ely’s Ferry
A chance encounter with this very brave couple breaking the ice drifts to cold plunge together. The sky was so unbelievable I drove down to enjoy the sunset and happened upon them.
Winter Magic on Whalebone Cove
Photographer: Athana K Catlett (Photo of Distinction)
January 2022
Overlooking Whalebone Cove from Joshuatown Rd.
Photo taken from Joshuatown Rd after a snowfall.
Lighting Lyme
Photographer: Meera Rangwala (Photo of Distinction)
3/2025
Private Lyme Habitat
These witch hazel orange blossoms glow in the sunset. They seem like lanterns lighting our way to a better future.
Youth (17 and younger)
Iced Grasses
Photographer: Birgit Musheno (Photo of Distinction - Honorable mention)
January 12, 2025
Private Lyme habitat, Brush Hill Rd.
January weather creates unique ice forms on dried meadow grass at the edge of a beaver dam.
Augur Winter Sunrise
Photographer: Joan Rivington (Photo of Distinction)
February 3, 2025Augur Preserve
Early morning stillness after overnight snowfall.
late summer milkweed seedpods
Photographer: Rochelle Davis (Photo of Distinction, People's Vision Award 2024)
September 2024Grassy Hill Preserve
The milkweed seedpods stand up like a candelabra, and as they open, the seeds pop out with their white downy parachute to ride the winds away.
Night Sky Comet
Photographer: John Gluszak (Photo of Distinction)
10/15/2024Sky 53 over North End of Rogers Lake
Spent a couple days attempting to capture the T-Atlas comet from my dock on Rogers Lake. Iso 400, F2, at 4 seconds really popped out the comet. Then used photoshop to blend in the brighter comet with the evening dusk hour look for the foreground.
Backyard Sunrise, not zoomed
Photographer: Sharon (Photo of Distinction)
10/26/2024
HomeEarly morning sunrise.
My grandniece was born this morning, I wanted to one day show her the beautiful sunrise on her special day.
Fun Guys
Photographer: Doug White (Photo of Distinction - Honorable Mention)
October 3, 2024
Ravine Trail, Joshua Town Rd
I laid down and took a selfie next to chicken of the woods fungi on an old log next to the trail to give perspective of its size. Wow. A startling phenomenon of the wilds.
Welcome to Tiffany’s
Photographer: Lisa Tiffany Simiola (Photo of Distinction)
October 2023Tiffany Farms
A mountain of a man with no days off still gets soft now and then.
Subject: John J. Tiffany III, modern day cowboy
late summer milkweed seedpods
Photographer: Rochelle Davis (Photo of Distinction, People's Vision Award 2024)
September 2024Grassy Hill Preserve
The milkweed seedpods stand up like a candelabra, and as they open, the seeds pop out with their white downy parachute to ride the winds away.
Longevity
Photographer: David Luke (Photo of Distinction - Honorable Mention)
9/25/2024
Johnston Preserve
Unique distortion and shape of main trunk of this large mature tree tucked away off the trails in Johnston preserve. Amazing that with the distortion in main trunk, it has withstood the test of time and has not fallen -longevity
Honeybee on Stonecrop Sedum
Photographer: Mary Powell StLouis (Photo of Distinction)
September 2024Private Lyme Habitat
Foraging for late summer pollen this honeybee found a bumper crop in nearby stonecrop sedum in Lyme.
Late Summer at Uncas Lake
Photographer: Rich Sanders (Photo of Distinction)
September 16, 2024Uncas Lake, Nehantic State Forest
With sunny days, cool nights, and leaves starting to change, there's still time for a late summer swim and a look-see above and below the water.
Asclepias
Photographer: Kent Girty (Photo of Distinction)
June 2024Private pollinator garden
Milkweed flowers and buds.
On the lookout for the wonderfully colorful monarch butterfly larvae and was intrigued by this flower and bud set against the green.
Cows at the farm
Photographer: Adam McEwen (Photo of Distinction)
May 2024Tiffany’s farm
Foggy day at the farm in a Spring morning in Lyme
Cinnamon Fern
Photographer: Birgit Musheno (Photo of Distinction)
May 2024Banningwood Preserve
Close up of cinnamon fern growing near Roaring Brook in the Banningwood Preserve
Springtime Basking – Spotted Turtle
Photographer: Rich Sanders (Photo of Distinction - Honorable Mention)
April 27, 2024
On a Lyme Preserve. Please contact me or ask Jim - do not publish the location.
With habitat stability offered by our preserves it is always a pleasure to visit them. On this spring day a community of spotted turtles, clemmys guttata, was seen warming-up in the afternoon sun. A State Species of Special Concern, observing this healthy group exemplifies the value of our Lyme Preserves.
Ice sheet
Photographer: Kent Girty (Photo of Distinction)
January 2024
Eight Mile River Pleasant Valley
Paper thin delicate ice formation crystallized as the water under it disappeared. Wonderful shapes suspended above the ground on this super delicate formation. Well at least until the pupp steps on them….
Downed Tree New Life
Photographer: Galo Sarmiento (Photo of Distinction)
3/16/2024Selden Creek Preserve
The number of downed trees at Selden Preserve make room for new life.
Green between the leaves
Photographer: Bryn Souza (Photo of Distinction - Honorable Mention)
3/16/24
Selden creek preserve
The contrast in colors on the forest floor is fun to see
Mt. Archer Woods – Tulip Tree Grove in Winter
Photographer: Steven Hoyt (Photo of Distinction)
February - 2024
Mt. Archer Woods Preserve
There are actually a couple of tulip tree groves in this group of preserves - one in Mt. Archer and the other bordering the Eno and Mt. Archer preserves. This photo was taken, I believe, on trail AW in the southwest section of the Mt. Archer preserve. I love the forest depth and textures that shine through on an otherwise drab day.
Counting sheep
Photographer: Bryn Souza (Photo of Distinction, People's Vision Award 2023)
3/19/23Beaver Brook Farm
As part of the farm open house, I captured sheep, lambs, and rams.
Winter solstice
Photographer: Kristina White (Photo of Distinction, People's Vision Award 2023)
12/21/2023Private land
The area where this photo was taken had many significant stone formations and some I believed were connected to the winter solstice. It was exciting to see I was right!!
Winter solstice
Photographer: Kristina White (Photo of Distinction, People's Vision Award 2023)
12/21/2023Private land
The area where this photo was taken had many significant stone formations and some I believed were connected to the winter solstice. It was exciting to see I was right!!
Fall day in Banningwood
Photographer: Rochelle Davis (Photo of Distinction)
October 2023Banningwood Preserve
The brightness of the fall sun on the various colors was joyous, along with the life hidden in the pool.
Sunrise at the Johnston Outlook
Photographer: David Luke (Photo of Distinction - Honorable Mention)
12/30/2023
Johnston Preserve Outlook
Early morning peace…
Sunset over Connecticut River from Gillette Castle
Photographer: Jim Arrigoni (Photo of Distinction)
10-25-2023View from Gillette Castle State Park
Hadlyme Ferry crossing the Connecticut River under an autumn sunset.
Nectar on The Connecticut
Photographer: Kent Girty (Photo of Distinction)
September 23Ely’s Ferry
Watched with amazement as this monarch feasted on summer’s bounty. Wonder if it noticed the magnificent view over the Connecticut as it perched on that tall flower cluster this hot summer afternoon?
My Golden retriever was clearly annoyed with me as my attention was momentarily focused on the butterfly.
Green frog
Photographer: Renee Smith (Photo of Distinction)
August 24, 2023Selden Creek Preserve
“sometimes you don't see what's right in front of you..” I was hiking friends when we passed a puddle and heard a splash. Crouching down, I held onto a rotting log for balance as I searched the puddle. With my friend screeching “look!” several times I finally noticed that he wasn’t pointing into the water but to the log next to my hand.
Beetle
Photographer: Sarah Prineas (Photo of Distinction)
July 2023Pleasant Valley
A surprising critter to see on a leaf next to the path.
Quiet Pride
Photographer: Kent Girty (Photo of Distinction)
June ‘23Selden Creek Preserve
Fascinated by the interaction of moss and other life. It is symbiosis in action, like a gentle incubator. The sun was perfectly illuminating this proud and confident little loner. The focus took some effort but the result was worth the wet knees…
Magestic Bull
Photographer: Baylee Drown (Photo of Distinction)
June 2023Mount Archer Farm
My beautiful bull patiently waits for fresh grass.
Oak Point
Photographer: Penny (Photo of Distinction)
4/23/2023
Tantumorantum Road
This is Keith Czarnecki's farm glowing in the first rays of morning sun.
Fern in January
Photographer: Kent Girty (Photo of Distinction)
Jan 2023
Private Lyme habitat
Fern sprouts cautiously in anticipation of spring. Speakers to me of optimism.
Counting sheep
Photographer: Bryn Souza (Photo of Distinction, People's Vision Award 2023)
3/19/23Beaver Brook Farm
As part of the farm open house, I captured sheep, lambs, and rams.
Beaver swimming
Photographer: Renee Smith (Photo of Distinction)
March 22 2023Thach Preserve
One more shot of the same beaver
Tiffany Farm
Photographer: Penny Reneson (People's Vision Award 2022)
June 2022
Tiffany Farm
Haying season at the Farm.
Elephant trunk nebula
Photographer: Parag Sahasrabudhe (Photo of Distinction)
September 2022
East Lyme residence
Image of Elephant trunk nebula from the constellation of Cepheus. This star forming region is about 3000 light years away from us. The elephant trunk contains several “young” stars that are less than 100,000 years old. This is a composite of about 2 hour long exposure taken with 5 minute sub-exposures.
Pileated Pleasure
Photographer: anthony irving (Photo of Distinction)
Fall
backyard
Took a look out my bedroom window and there they were.
Cemetery Tree
Photographer: Faith Keel (Photo of Distinction)
Jan 2023
Grassy Hill Preserve
Sassafras tree on edge of cemetery
Youth (17 or younger)
Young forest in fall
Photographer: Rochelle Davis (Photo of Distinction)
Oct 2022
Private Lyme Habitat
Late fall hike as the sunset
Foggy Tree
Photographer: Lindsay Pettinicchi (Photo of Distinction)
June 2022
Selden Creek Preserve, Lyme, CT
I have developed an appreciation for nature and all of my wonderful adventures taking photos reminds me of how important it is to take time to relax and discover things. Nature really matters because it provides awe-inspiring beauty to the world we live in.
Blue-stemmed Goldenrod
Photographer: Mary Powell St. Louis (Photo of Distinction)
September 2022
Private Lyme habitat
Close up of Solidago caesia (blue-stemmed goldenrod) on fall day in Lyme.
Waiting
Photographer: Kristina White (Photo of Distinction)
August 2022Pleasant Valley Preserve
The sunlight shone the perfect circle and the waiting spider.
Tree highlighted in overcast skies
Photographer: Anne Hefter (Photo of Distinction)
June 2022
Pleasant Valley
From the Walk with Joe Standart
Vernal Pool Reflections
Photographer: Kip (Photo of Distinction)
April 23, 2022
Johnston
I took this photo on a LLT group hike led by Tony on April 23rd to see salamander eggs in the vernal pools of the Johnston preserve. I love reflections as they are windows into another world. In this case, the subtle colors hint at the coming of spring, while looking back to the fall.
Dogwood
Photographer: Rochelle Davis (Photo of Distinction)
May 4, 2022
Private land
The blooming of our native dogwoods [Cornus florida] mark spring for me. Peppered throughout old farms and Lyme's preserves, dogwoods seem to be honored members of our community. This single last blossom, surrounded by the new leaves that will nourish the tree, serves as a reminder to celebrate their beauty.
Dew on spider web
Photographer: Rochelle Davis (Photo of Distinction - Honorable Mention)
May 2022
Private land
In the meadows in spring and summer, the spiders build their webs between the grass stems. The dew catches on them and shines like a string of pearls in the morning sun.
Winter 22
Looking down and up
Photographer: Rochelle Davis (Photo of Distinction)
March 2022private land - habitat
The half frozen pool of water and leaves reflected the canopy of bare trees above, connecting the source of the leaves and the roots of the trees in one photo.
Bewitching Winter Woods
Photographer: Kip Bergstrom (Photo of Distinction)
January 17, 2022
Chauncy Eno Preserve
This was the day I finished hiking the Moore Trail. It was a gray day witch gave the woods a hauntingly bewitching quality.
Last bit of winter
Photographer: Barbara A Costas (Photo of Distinction)
3/10/22
Pleasant Valley
Enjoyed the little snow and ice, juxtaposed with the color on the trees.
Photos of Distinction
Late September forest floor
September 2021 Selden The tiny mushrooms and leaves create a colorful wall paper of life and decay.
Gorgeous greens
May 2021 Chestnut Hill Preserve I loved the many greens in this photo that bring my eye down the path. Think maybe it might have
Water Bugs in the Water
September 2021 Selden Creek Preserve, Lyme, CT Water Bugs in the Water, Selden Creek Preserve, Lyme, CT I have developed an appreciation for nature and
Photos of Distinction
Chimney Stack
January 9, 2021 Pleasant Valley Preserve Finding art in nature – billowing smoke out of a chimney stack.
Shadow and Glory
November 2020 Pleasant Valley Preserve Pup in shadow with a blaze of glory behind him
Scenic Selden Creek overlook
Jan. 24, 2021 Selden Creek Preserve First time visiting this preserve. Had to stop to enjoy the view and try to capture in pictures.
Honorable Mention
Morning frost
November 14, 2020 Banningwood I liked they way the beads of frost were sparkling in the sun on the trees in the woods.
Sunshine through the birches
November 5, 2020 Hartman Park, Heritage trail A beautiful fall mid afternoon shot of the sunshine through the birches
Tulip tree on a fall morning
November 2020 Johnston Preserve Tulip trees are so tall and straight and I learned more about them this year, particularly by looking at them in