Birch Trees

Gorham, NH  2016

Salt Marsh

Hammonasset State Park, Madison, CT  2015

Trees and Reeds

Ridgefield, NJ  2015

Hidden Valley

Washington Depot, CT  2015

There is indeed a hidden valley at the Hidden Valley B&B.  This is the view from the back patio over looking the valley.  I must get back here in the summer to see this place when it's warmer and green.  

Grasses

Niantic, CT  2014

They're a little nicer to look at during the spring and summer months.  

Flume II

Heritage Museum and Gardens

Sandwich, MA  2014

I haven't been very good lately in capturing interesting reflections.  I posted a wide angle shot of this particular flume here and I'm sharing this close up view with this week's Weekend Reflections even though it was taken a couple of months ago.  I'm already missing summer.  Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by. 

Assekonk Swamp-Wildlife Management Area

North Stonington, CT

Pond Reflections

Mystic, CT

I discovered this pond while hiking one of the trails at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.  More importantly, on this day, the pond offered a great symmetrical reflection of the fallen branches.  As usual, I'm sharing this with Weekend Reflections.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend. 

Garter Snake

Mystic, CT

I guess one should expect to see all kinds of "nature" when walking the trails of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.  I literally stepped on this little guy while walking the trail.  He didn't seem to be harmed at all since he slithered off into the underbrush, but not before posing for this quick shot.  Even zoomed in close, and then cropping the photo, one needs to look pretty closely to make out this common snake amidst the twigs and leaves. 

Eastern Painted Turtle

Mystic, CT

During my visit to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center I did see quite a bit of nature, including this little fellow.  I got about as close as I could get without getting my feet wet.  After I did a little bit of research, I believe this guy is an eastern painted turtle.  It ranges across the United States and is Connecticut's most numerous turtle.  They are often seen basking on rocks and tree limbs as shown here.  

Pequotsepos Manor

Mystic, CT

After 6 generations of Denisons, dating back to 1654, Ann Borodell Denison Gates was the last Denison to live in this house, built in 1717.  She founded the Denison Society and gave the house and 125 acres of land to the Society and trusted the Society with its care for all future generations.  

Stranger

Mystic, CT

I met this fellow while walking some of the trails at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic, CT.  He seemed to be a of a very jovial sort.  He didn't object to me taking his picture and was very patient as I made numerous portraits of him.  I didn't catch his name, however.  I'm sure I'll see him again on my next visit. 

Denison Homestead

Stonington, CT

The Denison Homestead is located only minutes from downtown Mystic.  The entire homestead comprises about 160 acres of land, owned by the Denison Society, a society of descendants whose mission is to connect descendants and the community with the history, land and environment of this 300 year old family farm.  The land has been kept in it's natural state for over 300 years.  Part of the land is leased to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.  The building in the upper left is the Pequotsepos Manor, built in 1717 and restored in 1946.  It is currently a museum and each room depicts a different time period in American history.  It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  You can learn more about the Denison Homestead here.

Canada Goose

Mystic, CT

I ran across this fellow on a recent  trip to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic, CT.  He seemed to like posing for the camera.

Winter Brook

Hebron, CT

This must be a pretty fast flowing stream.  Despite our cold winter, this stream had not frozen over. 

Stoddard Hill State Park II

Ledyard, CT

My time at Stoddard Hill State Park in Ledyard, CT afforded some fine reflections on this overcast, winter day in December.  With this picture, I've exhausted my supply of recent reflections and so this weekend, I'll be on the lookout for some more reflections to share here as well as with Weekend Reflections.  Enjoy your weekend and thanks for looking.

Winter Trees

Old Lyme, CT

Lieutenant River Reflections

Old Lyme, CT

The Lieutenant River is a 3.7 mile long tidal river that flows into the Connecticut River just a little upstream of where the Connecticut River flows into Long Island Sound.  The river is a popular area for artists, photographers and fishermen.  A number of noted American impressionist artists made this area their home, staying at the Florence Griswold house a few miles from where this photograph was taken.  I'm linking this to Weekend Reflections, hosted by James.  Enjoy the last weekend of 2013 and have a Happy New Year.

First Snow

Somewhere Along I-80 in Pennsylvania

We've had some snow flurries in Connecticut, but no real accumulation of snow yet, at least not in the area where I live.  Pretty soon however I won't have to travel to Pennsylvania to see scenes like this one.  It's only a matter of time.  

Blackledge River Reflection

Gay City State Park, Hebron, CT

Although it looks like little more than a small stream this is part of the Blackledge River which flows for about 16 miles from Manchester, CT through Gay City State Park eventually meeting up with the Salmon River near North Westchester, CT.  At one time the river must have supplied power for the mill here, which was featured in a previous post.  Today the calm waters made for a nice reflection on this autumn day.  If you like this reflection, there are many more at Weekend Reflections.  Enjoy the weekend and thanks for visiting.