The Special Thin Rock
Photographer: Michael Lloyd
September 2024Mount Archer Woods – Town of Lyme
There is a really thin rock with shadows from the sun that created the look of a Face on the rock to the left and a skeleton face just above the tip of the thin rock..
Last of the Oak Leaves
Photographer: Rochelle Davis
November 2024Selden Creek Preserve
The red oak and its companions against the blue sky show us the beauty of looking up, as well as looking down and around.
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.
Cinnamon Fern
Photographer: Birgit Musheno (Photo of Distinction)
May 2024Banningwood Preserve
Close up of cinnamon fern growing near Roaring Brook in the Banningwood Preserve
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.
Bumble Bee on Mountain Mint
Photographer: Rochelle Davis
September 2024Private Habitat
The Mountain Mint is a favorite of bees and other small pollinators, who are very good at ignoring the photographer.
Spring fungus
Photographer: AK Li
May 2024Banningwood Preserve
White-pored Chicken of the woods
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
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.
Fall Diadem
Photographer: Birgit Musheno
October 31, 2024Joshuatown Rd. entrance to Brockway-Hawthorn Preserve
A last bit of fall color is highlighted by late afternoon sunshine against the backdrop of a large rock formation.
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….
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.
Lush Moss
Photographer: Bryn Souza
3/16/224
Selden Creek Preserve
This bright green moss was a lovely sight when so much else was still mostly brown
Giants of the Woods
Photographer: Doug White
October 3, 2024Ravine trail
The stony, rambling, untamed wilderness of an Old Lyme preserve
Newts
Photographer: Dave Brown
May 2024Jewett Preserve
Morning walk newt’s meandering on the trail.
Trail Gift
Photographer: Birgit Musheno
September 23, 2024Pleasant Valley Preserve
A flower token left along the trail one day by an unknown fellow hiker, an uplifting sign of communal joy in nature.
Wild Grapes
Photographer: Tori Harris
06/24Roaring Brook Preserve
Kade exploring the brook bed.
Sumac at Pleasant Valley
Photographer: Sarah Prineas
Dec 21, 2024Pleasant Valley in Lyme
Sumac berries in a snowy field
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
Wendy
Photographer: Dave Brown
June 2024Pleasant Valley Preserve
Wendy learning to be comfortable in the water.
Barred owl pair
Photographer: Jaime Bochet
May 6, 2024Private Old Lyme Habitat
We’d had a single barred owl visiting the perimeter of our yard for several weeks, but then one morning we looked out and saw a mate with them. They relaxed on this sapling for several hours.
Caught
Photographer: Birgit Musheno
October 14, 2024Banningwood Preserve
A fallen maple leaf caught by dry fern leaves, illuminated by late afternoon fall sunlight. I was captivated by the recursive curling forms, and the detailed tracery of the leaf structures revealed by the sunlight filtering through.
Danaus Plexippus
Photographer: Kent Girty
August 2024Jewett Preserve
Always loved these fellas as a kid and discovering them in a meadow still brings a smile and that familiar feeling of high summer.
Ice Over the River
Photographer: Kent Girty
January 2024
Eight Mile River I think still in Pleasant Valley.
Fascinating and dramatic ice formation created as just the right conditions, cold snap freezing water vapor, conspired to form these wonderful shapes. Clear as crystal. Needed care not to slip in…
Northern lights in Lyme
Photographer: Gina McEwen
May 2024At the End of Ellys Ferry, Lyme near the CT river
Northern lights visited us in our own town on May 10th
Row of Fungi
Photographer: Galo Sarmiento
3/16/2024
Selden Creek Preserve
The end of winter brings new life even if it’s on a downed tree.
Winter Water
Photographer: Denise Gravatt
December 2024
Private Lyme Habitat
A frosty Christmas Day walk revealed ice crystals and typical beautiful Lyme rocks, water and woodland
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.
Butterfly on Mexican sunflower
Photographer: Kristina White
August 2024Private habitat in Lyme
I noticed this butterfly dancing on the flower and realized what a beautiful backdrop!
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.
Trail Stewardship
Photographer: Denise Gravatt
November 2024
Walbridge Preserve
Trail stewardship is essential for keeping our trails open for recreation. Hiking is fun, chainsawing is even more fun!
Dinner time for baby owls
Photographer: Jaime Bochet
May 11, 2024Private Old Lyme habitat
As evening approached, one of the parent owls brought a fresh meal for the fledglings. It was incredible to watch them feed the babies.
Mountain Laurel Blossom
Photographer: Kent Girty
May, 2022Selden Creek
The mountain laurel was adopted as Connecticut's state flower on April 17, 1907. Here a beam of sunshine directly shown through the canopy to so beautifully illuminate this perfect blossom.
A Late Summer Leaf
Photographer: Kent Girty
September 2024Mount Archer Woods
I love how sunlight on moss highlights anything one finds sitting on top.
Creates a color contrast I find so visually appealing – like this tiny leaf with its mighty color set against the plush moss.
Rainbow Over Falls Brook
Photographer: Andrew Onderdonk
June 2024Back door…233 Hamburg Rd
Brilliant rainbow after light, late afternoon rain
Early morning at the farm
Photographer: Adam McEwen
April 2024Tiffany’s farm
On my way to work