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…
Wendy
Photographer: Dave Brown
June 2024Pleasant Valley Preserve
Wendy learning to be comfortable in the water.
Indian Pipe
Photographer: Kent Girty
August 2024Jewett Preserve
Monotropa uniflora, also known as ghost plant, ghost pipe, or Indian pipe. One of my favorite finds in the forest. This one is an unusual pink color. Actually not a fungus but a parasite that feeds off fungus Mycorrhizae. It’s in the same family as blueberries, cranberries, azaleas, and Rhododendrons. Who knew?
Sumac at Pleasant Valley
Photographer: Sarah Prineas
Dec 21, 2024Pleasant Valley in Lyme
Sumac berries in a snowy field
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.
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….
American Giant Millipede
Photographer: Birgit Musheno
May 2025Jewett Preserve
Millipede investigating lichen-covered rock..
Amongst Giants
Photographer: Kristina White
March 2024
Pleasant Valley
Looking up makes one feel small but a part of something vast
A Tree Inside of a Tree
Photographer: Michael Lloyd
September 2024Mount Archer Woods – Town of Lyme
The Tree looks like it has another tree inside of it.
Spring at Hamburg Cove
Photographer: Adam McEwen
June 2024Hamburg Cove, Lyme
Kids paddle boarding at the cove. Foto taken from the bridge at Cove road.
Little Bear on a Big Rock
Photographer: Kent Girty
January 2024
Selden Creek Preserve
The pup loves to go on epic walks in the various Lyme Preserves. Big rocks are irresistible favorites. Nothing like watching his senses light up with stimulation from all the smells of nature everywhere. Brings on the zoomies! Loved how the natural light highlights the subject contrasting beautifully with the green moss and winter grays.
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.
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.
Reflection
Photographer: D Holmes
Early Fall October 2024Nehantic State Forest
Early Fall foliage on Norwich Pond ..a very serene and clear day.
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!
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.
Burning Bush
Photographer: Sue York
October 2024Pleasant Valley Preserve
Burning bush
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.
Robin’s Egg
Photographer: Kent Girty
May, 2024Johnston Preserve
Always a delight to see these colorful signs of new life in springtime.
Wild Grapes
Photographer: Tori Harris
06/24Roaring Brook Preserve
Kade exploring the brook bed.
Winter’s Embrace
Photographer: Kerrie Pensiero
January 2024
Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve
Winter hiking can get pretty drab if there’s not much snow. When I saw this snow on the tree stump, it looked like a heart. With a little help from me, I formed it a little better for this photo?
Spring in Lyme at Sterling City Preserve
Photographer: Gina McEwen
End of May 2024Sterling City Preserve
Sunset in Lyme. Walking in our street we were lucky to enjoy this beautiful sunset.
Bumblebee on swamp milkweed
Photographer: Rochelle Davis
July 2024Private Lyme Habitat
The bumblebees and other pollinators love the milkweed flowers
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.
Trout lily
Photographer: AK Li
AprilBanningwood Preserve
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.
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.
Green door
Photographer: Kristina White
February 2024
Johnston Preserve
A door to another world
Late Afternoon
Photographer: Judy Davies
December 2024Private Lyme Habitat
Our new wind mill in our backyard on Joshuatown Road with beautiful Lyme “light” (setting sun) in background.
Barred owl fledglings
Photographer: Jaime Bochet
May 11, 2024Private Old Lyme Habitat
A few days after seeing both owls, we got an incredible surprise: their babies! They were on a dead tree maybe 50 yards into the woods, so I got a longer lens to get a closer look. They hung out for several hours, with mom and dad close by.
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.
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.
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.
River view
Photographer: Sue York
October 2024Pleasant Valley Preserve
8 mile river
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.
Roaring Brook in Fall
Photographer: Kristina White
September 2024Banningwood Preserve
The low water level allows the banks and trees to frame the water creating a calm scene of tranquility.
