I'm DONE !

Daffodil Barn, Keene, NH

Enough with the Glorious Winter Already

Cold Franconia Sunrise

I had nearly completed my blog article for this week about the restoration of antique photographs and then it hit me.  I’M DONE.

I have always loved winter, especially the unique photographic opportunities that the pristine white blanket provides in the sparse angular light of the season.  We had a good share of snow this winter, but it is this year’s persistent body and soul numbing cold that has finally wrecked my spirit.  Perhaps it is my aging circulation that makes the cold more difficult to tolerate, but all would agree that this winter has been unusually frigid and without the occasional thaws that normally serve to trigger at least a breath of hope for nature’s resurrection.   I am hoping that by this weekend when I publish this article the temperatures may have moderated a bit,

Perkins Pond Spring, Troy, NH

 but at this moment I REALLY need spring and I suspect that there are many out there that share my desperate longing.   So I have decided to drop everything and spend some time strolling through my spring images, selecting a few of my favorites to share with my frozen neighbors.  These may not be my most artistic images, but rather ones that speak strongly to me of the warmth and burgeoning new  life that is the essence of spring.

I hope that these few images provide a brief respite from the chill, but if not, that's ok, this one is for me.  Feel free to prolong your vernal escape by browsing the Spring Archive on my web site.

St Matthew's Lupine, Sugar Hill, NH

The Annual Lupine Festival in Sugar Hill New Hampshire, just north of Franconia Ridge, is a blast of spring color is a spectacular setting, but for me, the real attraction of spring is the endless variety and richness of the newly erupted greens. 

Fresh Green, Brattleboro, Vermont

Too soon the soft colors become fixed in their deeper shade of summer green.

Huntington Cascade, Dixville Notch, NH

Early spring is waterfall season, with the vigorous winter run-off being the main attraction until the leaves start popping out. The season comes late to New Hampshire's North Country and it is possible to follow the early spring north much like the fall colors can be tract as they move from north to south.

Table Rock, Balsams, NH

The Balsams Grand Hotel seen from Table Rock in Dixville North, New Hampshire.  Sadly the resort is now closed, but there is hope that this classic might open again with plans for an expanded ski resort.

Curious Goat, Dummerston, Vt

Spring also is reflected in the excitement of the animals as they escape from the barn into fresh pastures with the sweatiest grass of the season.  

Dawn Pasture, Dummerston, VT

This exuberance is no better seen than in Stonewall Farm's annual "Dancing of the Ladies" when the cows go wild,  running jumping and head bumping, as they are released to pasture for the first time.

 

Dancing Lady, Keene, NH

Central Square Blossoms, Keene, NH

Every spring for just a few days Keene's Central Square becomes a festival flowers.  The trick is to fine the day when the sun is full.  I can look back on the dates of old images from the event to gauge when the vigil should begin.

Orchard Maple, Walpole, NH

 Sadly, I can't anticipate that all these favorite icons of spring will return.  Tragically, the great Oak on the Hilltop at Alyson's Orchard in Walpole, New Hampshire is now only a memory It was devastated by a  lightning strike and had to be removed last fall. 

Wildflower Barn, Westmoreland, NH

Openings, Marlborough, NH

I found one of my favorite Birch groves by accident in Reading Vermont, while looking for the famous Weathersfield Birches.  I eventually discovered that fable grove is now overgrown and no longer the treasure about which I had read.  This spot was a worthy conciliation.

Spring Birches, Reading, Vt



As I complete this prayer to spring, I'm thrilled to report that yesterday the temperature climbed tentatively into the 40's.  Anything above freezing brings hope, but next week promises colder temperatures and a chance for another storm.  That's New England.  All we can do is make the best of what nature gives us and occasionally escape into our photographs to be assured that spring will come.

Slide Show of My Full Spring Archive


 

Oh, and one more sign of spring arrived yesterday.  I discovered that the eagles have  returned to their nest on the Connecticut River, and they appear to be faithfully on guard.  Hopefully chicks will be emerging soon.

Bald Eagles on the nest, one guarding, the other bringing supper.

Spring in New England (Photo Archive)


Jeffrey Newcomer
Partridgebrookreflections.com

Tale of Two Trees, Album

This week I have a blog article featured on the New England Photography Guild web site. As has been my habit, I have decided that my personal blog this week will be an album of photographs that could not fit within the restrictions of the NEPG blog. Of course it is also difficult enough to come up with one article per week, let alone two!

This week I celebrate big trees. Oak trees to be exact. One is a champion of Cheshire County, the other is now just a bare pillar monument to former Glory. For the full story, check out the NEPG Blog "Tale of Two Trees"


The Friedsam Forest Great Red Oak
Friedsam Town Forest is a wonderful little oasis in the center of Chesterfield, New Hampshire. It is only 220 acres but it is home to lovely trails through a varied landscape. The forest is also home to two magnificent and ancient giant Red Oak border trees. A few weeks ago one of the trees was measured and found to be the biggest in the county, nearly 100 feet tall and over 16 feet in circumference. It is estimated to be over 300 years old. The tree was once protected at the border of a pasture, but is now is surrounded by new growth forest making photography a particular challenge. Check out the images on the NEPG Blog, and here are a few others that may give a feeling for this proud champion. Of course you can see it yourself along the Ancient Oaks trail in Friedsam Forest. Stop by and consider all that this sturdy giant has seen.

 

 Requiem for a Giant White Oak
As much as the Friedsam Oak is a photographic challenge, the great White Oak at Alyson's Orchard in Walpole, New Hampshire was a photographer's dream. The tree sat alone at the top of a ridge overlooking the Connecticut River to waves of Vermont Mountains receding into the distance. It was estimated to be over 200 years old. Standing alone above the squat orchard trees, it was beautifully and fully formed and could be photographed easily from all angles. Tragically the oak was destroyed by lightning a few years ago, but I feel fortunate to have captured the tree in its glory. Now the remaining pillar has a certain defiant nobility which belies its traumatic end. For the full story and more images check out the NEPG Blog. When you have a chance, drop by the orchard to honor the oak and enjoy delicious apples in a lovely setting.


 









 














 












 





































 Back to
NEPG Blog "Tale of Two Trees"

Jeffrey Newcomer
Partridgebrookreflections.com