The space between trees
Photographer: Kristina White
April 2023
Pleasant Valley Preserve
The sky, dead tree and surrounding budded trees seemed like they were all aware of their space
Flowing Red Fire
Photographer: Kent Girty
October ‘22Jewett Preserve
Saw this flowing fungus emerging from a woodpecker nest hole in a recently fallen great-oak limb. The reds and texture showing up like rapids on a close up focus are as beautiful as fascinating. Difficult to decide on this wide shot versus super close focusing on the details.
Winter Sunset Across the Road
Photographer: Deane Beebe
January 15, 2023Beaver Brook Road
Sunset view through the Beebe Preserve plot on Beaver Brook Road.
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.
Purple Surprise
Photographer: Kent Girty
August 23Selden Creek
This unusual mosaic captured my eye.
Playful dance of color highlighted by natural light beaming narrowly through opening in the canopy above.
Love to work with natural light brightly illuminating my subject. Require’s patience on a partly cloudy day as I often find myself waiting, iPhone camera at the ready, for a cloud to move along…
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…
Bireley Bench
Photographer: David Luke
12/30/23Jewett preserve
Blue skies and benches. A great tribute to a woman who did so much for the preserves.
Banningwood
Photographer: SSR
3/2023
Banningwood
Walking the dogs
Holding on
Photographer: D C
10-17-23Johnston preserve
Amazing survival attached to rock outcropping.
East Field at Ashlawn
Photographer: Carol Adams
May 202378 Bill Hill rd
Driving the tractor from the dump lot back to the dooryard, the light was beautiful and the height of the grass made an ethereal soft foreground to the house and barns in the distance
Frog – different perspective
Photographer: Renee Smith
August 24, 2023Selden Creek Preserve
This photo is meant to accompany photo #1 to illustrate the scene.
Morning in Brockway Hawthorne
Photographer: Kristina White
December 2023Brockway Hawthorne Preserve
Taken after one of the rainstorms in December, this photo shows the water coming over the rocks and creating a peaceful pool.
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.
Anura pool
Photographer: GWF
3/30/23
Brockway Preserve
Jos Könst and I went to witness the evolution and emergence of spring life.
A Curious Fox
Photographer: Joseph Mastrangelo
January 7, 2022Private Lyme Habitat
Two sibling fox were foraging mid-morning on the edge of my property. One (featured in the photo) decided to get closer to me to investigate.
Between the lines
Photographer: Kristina White
March 2023
Thach Preserve
The 2 dead trees made a natural frame for the pond
Depths of reflection
Photographer: Kent Girty
Jan 2023
Selden Creek
Winter sky with sleeping trees through the glass of water to last seasons productive successes (leaves).
Ageless Wisdom
Photographer: Kent Girty
May 2022Selden Creek Preserve
Exposed time and sun-bleached wood showing extensive turbulence and healing of the underlying cambium. Wisdom.
This black birch fascinated me as it pulled me in to study it closely. South end of Selden Creek Preserve on a brisk spring walk.
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.
Wait What??
Photographer: Kent Girty
July 22Hartman Pk
Wait What?
One of the New England forest’s many fun treats for the observant. Noticed this on a walk along a ledge face in summer. Googled it immediately! A whimsical polka dot puffball made by Callirhytis seminator, a tiny wasp. She’s got style!
Beaver swimming
Photographer: Renee Smith (Photo of Distinction)
March 22 2023Thach Preserve
One more shot of the same beaver
Chipmunks return
Photographer: Janice Edwards
6/2023Private Lyme Habitat
Each year my husband and I eagerly await the return of these happy little campers. The very morning this photo was taken I remarked to my husband slightly worried “I haven’t seen any chipmunks yet this year” and then as if he heard my comment this little guy popped out of the rocks to say “hello” as I was leaving for work.
Mt Archer dam
Photographer: Rochelle Davis
October 2023At intersection of Mt Archer and Honey Hill Lane
The crisp colors and waters made for a perfect fall 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.
Hand Smith Farm Field
Photographer: Baylee Drown
April, 2023Hand Smith
Farmers Baylee and Quinn have been working on growing more grass for grazing at Hand Smith.
Not a breath of air
Photographer: John V Phelan
November 2023Rogers Lake, Old Lyme
We had just played some basketball with my family at the public court at Rogers Lake when I noticed how still the water was. I had to capture that.
The fallen leaves and their origin
Photographer: Rochelle Davis
December 2023Private Lyme Habitat
It was fun to see the branches of the trees reflected in the rain water that was cupped in the leaves. I struggled using a macro setting to get the reflection in focus as well as a bit of the leaves.
Sunrise at Johnston Preserve
Photographer: Renee Smith
March 15, 2022Johnston Preserve scenic overlook
In my search for great sunrise destinations I tried this overlook and was duly rewarded.
Regal Beauty
Photographer: Kent Girty
October ‘22Private preserve
Serendipity! This was such a great surprise. Just happened to be looking out the south facing large windows when along came this magnificent and rather large forest inhabitant. I started snapping countless photos as it proudly and slowly walked on by then sat down for what looks like a posed picture. Wish I had my windows cleaned more often…..
Mother Sheep
Photographer: Bryn Souza
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!!
Lamb reflection
Photographer: Bryn Souza
3/19/23Beaver Brook Farm
As part of the farm open house, I captured sheep, lambs, and rams.
Enough already
Photographer: D C
12-18-23Mt Archer Road
4 inches of rain over night.
Lush with Laurel
Photographer: Kristina White
6/2023Brockway Hawthorne Preserve
The super bloom this year is stunning and when i turned the corner on the trail – it was breath taking.
We’re hungry
Photographer: D C
12-31-23Hartman park
Hungry squirrels keeping teeth sharp.
The mushroom path
Photographer: Sarah Prineas
July 2023Pleasant Valley Preserve
I was taking a photo of the tiny orange mushrooms when my puppy came along the path
Tickseed Sunflower at Eight Mile River
Photographer: Mary Powell StLouis
Sept 2023Private Lyme habitat
This native wildflower known as Tickseed sunflower or Bearded Beggarticks are a nectar source for bees and Monarch butterflies while the seeds are a food source for songbirds and ducks; perfectly placed in the Eight Mile River for many to enjoy.
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.
Doorway to reflection
Photographer: Kent Girty
Jan 2023
Selden Creek
Reflections framed by moss covered rock called out to me.
Magestic Bull
Photographer: Baylee Drown (Photo of Distinction)
June 2023Mount Archer Farm
My beautiful bull patiently waits for fresh grass.
Seldon Creek Preserve w LLCT
Photographer: Deane Beebe
January 1 2023Seldon Creek Preserve
New Year's Hike w the Lyme Land Conservation Trust
Beetle
Photographer: Sarah Prineas (Photo of Distinction)
July 2023Pleasant Valley
A surprising critter to see on a leaf next to the path.
Spring showers
Photographer: Janice Edwards
06/2022Private Lyme Habitat
Vibrant flowers drinking in the Spring showers.
Beaver tail slap
Photographer: Renee Smith
March 22 2023Thach Preserve
I went early morning in hopes of seeing a beaver and this one performed like a pro! I was happy to catch the tail slap in action.
Fall field foliage
Photographer: Kristina White
October 2023Pleasant valley preserve
A burst of color awaits you in the meadows of pleasant valley
Ravine
Photographer: SSR
3/2023
Ravine Trail
Walking my dogs
Kerplop went the rock
Photographer: Sarah Prineas
July 2023Pleasant Valley
At the end of a long hike, chasing rocks thrown into the stream.
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.
Respect
Photographer: Kent Girty
October ‘22Hartman Park – power lines
Came across this yard long fella while enjoying the high rocky outcrops over by the power lines running through Hartman Park. Nature in all its glory. The focus could be better but couldn’t get too close (with my trusty IPhone) out of respect for this wonderful creature.
Seldon Creek Preserve #2
Photographer: Deane Beebe
January 1, 2023Seldon Creek Preserve
Lagging behind on the walk w LLCT at the Seldon Creek Preserve.
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.
Genesis
Photographer: Kent Girty
MayPrivate Lyme Habitat
The thrill of new green in spring. So beautiful, perfect, delicate. I love the perfect unblemished form marking new beginnings.
Sunrise at the Johnston Outlook
Photographer: David Luke (Photo of Distinction – Honorable Mention)
12/30/2023
Johnston Preserve Outlook
Early morning peace…
