Newfound Lake – Bristol, NH
In my travels of New England I always seem to forget about Wellington State Park on the shore of Newfound Lake in Bristol, New Hampshire. I have photographed the park in all four seasons and think it is a wonderful spot to spend the day with family, friends or alone. The park can be accessed year around making it a great place to visit any season.
During the winter months snowmobilers use Wellington State Park as a starting point for their adventures. Many will park and unload their snowmobiles at Wellington State Park and tour around (and on) the lake.
During the autumn months the shore of the lake takes on an unforgettable look. The brilliant colors of autumn can be found everywhere! I think it is my favorite time to visit.
Paradise Point Nature Center in Hebron, New Hampshire is also located along the shore of Newfound Lake and is worth checking out during your visit. At the boat launch area you will view a picture perfect cottage on a small island. Make sure you have your camera!
If you have extra time checkout Sculptured Rocks Natural Area in Groton, which is just up the street from Newfound Lake and is also worth a visit.
Another great New Hampshire State Park..
Enjoy!
Piping Plover Eggs Stolen – Hampton Beach
I read at Fosters.com that Piping Plover eggs were stolen from Hampton Beach State Park – New Hampshire in early May of this year. Piping plovers usually nest every year at Hampton Beach State Park and fencing is put up so humans do not disturb the nests.
The piping plover is a threatened and endangered species.
Read Fosters.com story here
Read WMUR story here
This is sad news…..
Pemigewasset Wilderness – Perspective
One of the challenges of being a photographer is finding a different perspective on scenes that have been photographed thousands upon thousands of times. (above) The silhouette of hiker standing on Bondcliff in the Pemigewasset Wilderness with storm clouds on the horizon in the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA.
Wetlands along the Franconia Brook Trail in the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA during the autumn months. The wetlands in the Pemigewasset Wilderness are picturesque, but more importantly they support the wildlife in the area.
Rusted file along an abandoned sled road deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Sled roads were used by teamsters to drag logs down from high on the mountains to the rails of the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad.
Early morning sun reflects off a large boulder along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River during the spring months. The East Branch is littered with large boulders like this one.
Northern White Cedar tree on the river bank of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The clear cutting practices of the logging era are gone forever allowing trees to flourish. The Pemi has recovered very well from the logging era.
I always try to work out of the box (straight scenic shot) when photographing locations. It makes the area a little more interesting.
How do you see the Pemi?
Enjoy!
Cockermouth River – Groton, NH
As a working photographer I always have a backlog of images. Its endless!! My normal routine during any given month is to upload new images to a external hard drive (I refer to this hard drive as “Inbound”). New images stay on this hard drive until I process them. The process time varies, since I always have 3,000+ images on the “Inbound” hard drive waiting to be processed.
With a steady shooting schedule I am always adding new images to the “Inbound” hard drive. The images I shoot today usually do not get processed until next month, unless they are for a client, then they get pushed to the front. I am always asking myself if I will ever get caught up!
I thought I do something different this week and process some of the images I shot this week. Except for the trillium all images included in this post were photographed this week along the Cockermouth River in Groton, New Hampshire.
Enjoy!
Happy Earth Day!
Earth Day Celebrates 40 years!!
Earth day was created forty years ago(April 22, 1970) by Gaylord Nelson. This is a day to celebrate and create awareness for the environment.
Happy Earth Day!
Weeks Act Exhibit – Plymouth State University
www.foresthistory.org/ASPNET/Policy/WeeksAct/index.aspx
You can also view the on-line Weeks Act Exhibit below:
http://www.plymouth.edu/gallery/weeks-act/
Logging railroads of the White Mountains, New Hampshire
Enjoy!
Franconia Notch State Park
Today is just a quick reminder about the New Hampshire State Park crisis that is at hand.
Even though deadline for comments has passed (I think Dec 25) everyone still should pay attention to what is going on. New Hampshire’s state parks are in jeopardy.
You can view all information about the New Hampshire State Park issue at the below links, plus I also mentioned the state parks in a previous blog post which can be read by clicking here.
Links for you to checkout and will get you up to date on this issue:
New Hampshire State Parks
List of New Hampshire State Parks
New Draft Unveiled for New Hampshire State Parks
Ten-Year Strategic Development and Capital Improvement Plan
Spread the word!
New Hampshire State Parks
Hampton Beach State Park – Hampton, NH
Imagine not being able to walk the shore of Hampton Beach State Park in Hampton, NH on a beautiful summer day.
Franconia Notch State Park – Lincoln, NH
Imagine not being able to ride your bike along the bike path in Franconia Notch State Park in the White Mountains.
Bear Brook State Park – Allenstown, NH
Imagine never being able to enjoy Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH with your family.
Sculptured Rocks Natural Area – Groton, NH
Imagine never be able to show your children Sculptured Rocks Natural Area in Groton,NH.
A writer I am not, but a conservation photographer I am. My photography work is (and always will be) focused around New England environmental and conservation subjects. This type of photograhphy also requires creating public awareness for your subject matter. With conservation in mind, it would be wrong for me not to draw public attention to a very serious matter.
The very thing that makes New Hampshire special is in jeopardy! Below is a sort version of what is going on. Use the links at the bottom of the page to look deeper into this matter.
Why are the state parks in jeopardy?
New Hampshire’s parks are self-funded from user fees. The current state parks program has a deficit of 2 million dollars. With such a large deficit the state legislature is trying to come up with a future plan to correct this deficit. Add the current economy crisis to this situation and you have a mess. Two of the suggestions mentioned have been closing some of the parks and selling parks off that don’t do well. Foolish suggestions if you ask me!
It is hard to believe that the state legislature is even talking about closing certain state parks! Many of these parks not only hold the history of New Hampshire, but provide a educational platform (or a starting point) in introducing the younger generation to the environment. These are the future conservationists and environmentalists that will be protecting New Hampshire forty years from now.
Crawford Notch State Park – Silver Cascades
Change needs to happen to protect the future of our state parks. The park system has and will always be a learning tool when it comes to conservation. Without change our parks are not safe!
Links for you to checkout:
List of New Hampshire State Parks
New Draft Unveiled for New Hampshire State Parks
Ten-Year Strategic Development and Capital Improvement Plan
Spread the word!
Leave No Trace – Pack it in, Pack it out
The Leave No Trace program is a very effective program that uses simple principles and common sense to promote back-country ethics. The program has been around for a number of years and has been very affective in creating awareness.
As hikers we can minimize this problem by using the simple principles. Pack it in, Pack it out. Help protect the environment!
If you are interested in learning more about "Leave No Trace" Ethics Click here. This website contains great information that will help everyone.
Enjoy!
Pemigewasset Wilderness Bridge Removal
In the White Mountains, NH there is a buzz going around about the removal of the 180 foot suspension bridge, which crosses the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The bridge is located about a half mile past the Wilderness and Bondcliff Trail junction.
The main reason for the proposed removal is because the bridge has become a safety hazard (or will be) The boards are decaying and there is currently a two person limit on it. At two hundred pounds(with pack) I always wonder if I am going to break through the boards with each step I take on the bridge. It creaks and cracks like no other suspension bridge in the area. Removal of the suspension bridge would also remove a man-made structure in a wilderness designated area making the Pemigewasset Wilderness even closer to the National Wilderness Preservation System standard. Along with other US agencies the US Forest Service is staying true to protecting these designated wilderness areas.
What seems to be overlooked and not of interest to anyone is the steel framed foot bridge that crosses Black Brook (Bear Brook on older maps) will also be removed during this project. This foot bridge is located next to the J.E. Henry Railroad Trestle. The trestle will not be touched(far as I know). After removal of these bridges is complete the 0.7 mile section of the Wilderness Trail between the Bondcliff Trail and the bridge will be closed for revegatation.
These bridges are located in a wilderness protection area. Wilderness areas are governed under the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wilderness Act of 1964, which have very strict guidelines when it comes to man made structures in wilderness protection areas. It will be a shame to see either of these bridges removed since they provide access to some pristine wilderness, but action needs to be taken. It really is more of a public safety concern than simply the forest service wanting to tear down a man made object in a wilderness area.
The Forest Service is listening to everyone’s ideas and allowing public input on the matter, so if you want to say something speak up ASAP!
You can read the scoping report at The Forest Service’s website here.
Just think there could a be a paved road and bridge that allows vehicles to cross this area instead. The bridge would always be replaced when needed. The road could be called "Wilderness Road" and the suspension bridge removal would not be discussed today.
Enjoy!
