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Autumn Scenes from Southern Vermont (2003)
Come with me on a relaxing photographic journey through the southern part of my home state of Vermont in autumn. Dozens of images in vibrant color showcase Vermont's famous fall foliage: blazing mountain vistas, soothing streams, fascinating leaf closeups, impressionistic reflections, and unique images such as moonlit foliage with star trails.

Blush Sometimes beauty is found in the most surprising of places... in this case, literally underfoot. I was walking along a dirt road, happened to glance down, and noticed this beautiful maple leaf, yellow and blushing with shades of orange and red, nestled on a blanket of older, dead leaves. The image was taken handheld, pointing straight down. (It was not posed -- I never pose images.) Blush
Green Mountain Slopes at Sunset The best time to view (and photograph) peak New England foliage is the first and last hour of the day. The warm golden tones of early and late light really accentuate the blazing oranges and reds of the leaves, and the long shadows create a sense of drama. Green Mountain Slopes at Sunset
Fading Light on Searsburg Reservoir Searsburg Reservoir is a little-known gem nestled near the bottom of the Somerset Road about five miles west of Wilmington, Vermont. It is one of my favorite places to take reflection pictures, which I enjoy very much -- I've always been attracted to symmetric images. Fading Light on Searsburg Reservoir
Rocky Forest Path An early spring image, as evidenced by the still-abundant green leaves, with yellows and some oranges making it clear that the season was indeed underway. These rocks were placed deliberately to keep car traffic off the beautiful path beyond them. Rocky Forest Path
Red House by the River A tranquil early morning scene, taken in mid-October somewhere along historic Route 7A between Manchester and Bennington, VT. Vermont has many hundreds of beautiful bright houses and barns like this one. Unfortunately, I don't remember exactly where I was at the time. :) Red House by the River
Molten Silver I passed by this small creek while walking near my cottage in the mountains and stopped to take a picture of the peaceful early autumn scene. It's too bad that I can't also let you hear the babbling and gurgling of the water. Molten Silver
Early Autumn at Mount Snow Mount Snow is a popular ski resort in southern Vermont, but most people never see it from this angle, viewed from near the Somerset Reservoir. (The ski lifts are on the opposite side of the peak from here.) Early Autumn at Mount Snow
Morning Mist on the Farm While the foliage is obviously the main attraction, another reason why autumn is so beautiful in New England is the weather. It is common to have warmish days and cool nights, which produces atmospheric fog and mist in the valleys. Morning Mist on the Farm
Vermont Autumn Cliche Vermonters really enjoy the autumn (although I admit that I love it more than most!) It's quite common to see people put out fall/harvest displays containing typical Vermont Autumn Cliche
Autumn by Moonlight If the previous image was a cliche, this is the exact opposite: a type of fall foliage picture you've likely never seen before. Does something seem not quite right in this picture? That's because it was actually taken at night. :) Autumn by Moonlight
A Spash of Red In early autumn, the smaller trees are often the first ones to turn colors. This image was taken in late September, when most of the forest was still green, but these two small maples had already turned brilliant shades of crimson. A Spash of Red
Deerfield River Afternoon The Deerfield River and its branches wind their way through the heart of southern Vermont. Here's a simple picture taken in early autumn from a bridge in Searsburg, Vermont. Deerfield River Afternoon
View from Kelly Stand Road Kelly Stand Road traverses the higher elevations of southern Vermont, from Arlington in the west to Stratton in the east. It's a bumpy ride, but a beautiful one. This is a somewhat well-hidden overlook taken from the road, looking west towards the Taconic Range along the New York / Vermont border. View from Kelly Stand Road
aquarelle Here's another view of fall foliage from what was definitely my favorite location for photographing it in 2003: Searsburg Reservoir. This time, I took this image about 45 minutes after sunset; as dusk faded the lighting became soft and subdued, allowing all the colors to assume soft pastel tones. ( aquarelle
Confetti A different view of fall. I often find myself drawn to abstract images featuring patterns, shapes and reflections. Confetti
Bennington Valley from the Orchard A few miles south of downtown Bennington, Carpenter Hill Road rises steeply above the valley floor. The road is flanked by huge orchards and beautiful forested land, and also provides some of the best views of Bennington and the Valley of Vermont. Bennington Valley from the Orchard
A Simple Fall I love waterfalls and cascades of all types, shapes and sizes. I had probably passed this small fall dozens of times and eventually decided it was time to capture it. While it's nothing spectactular, it reminds me that there can also be beauty in simplicity. A Simple Fall
Kaleidoscope Many photographers consider noon on a bright sunny day to be a bad time to take pictures. They say: "the light is too harsh!" Kaleidoscope
Road to the Reservoir Dirt roads are often not much fun to drive on, but they have much more charm and character than paved ones. And you never know what's around the next bend. Road to the Reservoir
Generations The cycle of life in the forest: the colorful leaves of maple saplings, which may have grown from keys dropped by the venerable maple whose trunk slowly decays in front of them. Generations
Rocky Shore at Sundown Somerset Reservoir is a large body of water in southern Vermont, and a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts such as boaters and fishermen (women too!) Its relatively high elevation makes the water almost always cold, and the leaves start to change color here as early as mid-September, peaking around the first of October. Rocky Shore at Sundown
The Burning Bush One thing that always amazes me about fall foliage is the natural variations I see in the colors of the trees. This tree, located near the Searsburg Reservoir, turns an almost-impossible-to-believe shade of blazing red every fall; there are many similar trees near it that never achieve its magnificence. The Burning Bush
Patchwork Quilt Most everyone can agree that peak fall foliage is a wonder to behold -- but few can agree on what exactly constitutes "peak fall foliage". :) Since trees change at different rates, it is most common early in the season to find some trees peaking while others are still green; late in the season, the slower trees turn colors but the early-turners are bare. Patchwork Quilt
Autumn Elements Tree trunks; leaves of fading green, gold and brown; a mossy boulder; and a fern clinging to the last vestiges of summer. Autumn Elements
Late Day Reflections Another peaceful afternoon at the Searsburg Reservoir, this time with pleasant high clouds for company. Late Day Reflections
Early Autumn Flow This pretty creek flows down towards Somerset Reservoir, near the picnic area at the end of Somerset Road. I captured it just as the first leaves were turning yellow in early fall. Early Autumn Flow
Golden Brown Most of the hardwood forests in Vermont contain a mixture of many different types of trees. Even when there is a stand of many identical trees, they often change colors at different times, which is what causes the typical fall scene of many different colors and shapes of trees. It is perhaps that normal heterogeneity that caused me to be attracted to this somewhat unusual stand of young maples, all of which had leaves turning brilliant shades of gold and brown. Golden Brown
Manchester from Above Manchester is one of the gems of southern Vermont -- a pretty travel destination featuring numerous recreation opportunities both indoors and out. It's close to ski areas, hiking trails and fishing spots -- and is also a famous outlet shopping mecca. Manchester from Above
Ablaze A simple view of trees in their splendour, taken along a branch of the Deerfield River. Ablaze
Drops Another case of looking for beauty in the mundane... in this case, the sun peeking through to illuminate raindrops on this fallen leaf, taken by the side of a dirt road. Drops
Apple Orchard Panorama These young apple trees will some day form a productive orchard; even in their youth, they provide a wonderful foreground of shape and pattern to complement peak foliage and a distant view of the Bennington valley and the southern Green Mountains. Apple Orchard Panorama
Deerfield Valley Colors Brilliant peak color in the Deerfield Valley, near the outlet of the Somerset Reservoir. Deerfield Valley Colors
Dusk Reflections Another peaceful, still view of the shoreline of the Searsburg Reservoir at dusk, with leaves floating on the water. It was such a nice experience just waiting and watching the character of the light change as night fell. Dusk Reflections
Into the Mist Fog can be a driver's worst enemy, but a photographer's best friend. And when you live in the mountains, you get to deal with it quite a bit, whether you like it or not. :) As a driver, I can deal with it, and as a photographer, I love it: fog and mist add mystery to images, and help create a three-dimensional look to most scenes. Into the Mist
Mount Snow Panorama A panoramic view of the western flank of Mount Snow and a branch of the Deerfield River valley. The body of water on the left is the edge of Somerset Reservoir. Mount Snow Panorama
Taconics from the Battenkill When most people think of Vermont the Green Mountains come to mind, and for good reason -- they are the dominant range, running up the middle of the state. In southern Vermont, however, the Tactonics are also important; they lie mainly on the New York / Vermont border. The area in southern Vermont between the Taconics and the Greens is called the Taconics from the Battenkill
First Light at Lake Shaftsbury Lake Shaftsbury is a small but picturesque body of water located in a state park just off Route 7A south of Arlington, Vermont. While most of the trees are pines, the few deciduous trees change remarkable colors, especially the bright orange and yellow trees you see here overhanging the water. First Light at Lake Shaftsbury
Star Trails and Autumn Colors Another fall foliage picture taken by moonlight. A long exposure of several minutes was required to illuminate the foliage and the shoreline of the reservoir, which created the star trails (and turned the dark sky a pale shade of blue!) Star Trails and Autumn Colors
Somerset Reservoir Panorama Somerset Reservoir is one of the larger bodies of water in southern Vermont, and a popular recreation spot. It's also one of the areas remaining in Vermont where loons still nest; if you are lucky you can hear them early in the morning or evening in the summer and fall. Somerset Reservoir Panorama
First Congregational Church, Manchester The First Congregational Church is a landmark in scenic Manchester, Vermont. I was lucky enough to be travelling through the town on this crisp, blue-sky day, just as color was peaking around the crowns of the nearby trees. (I love it when maples have all the shades from green to red on them at once!) First Congregational Church, Manchester
A Peaceful Road One of the best ways to enjoy the autumn in New England is to get off the highways and spend some time driving dirt roads in rural areas. You don't need a four-wheel drive vehicle to do so -- but you often do in the winter and spring! :) A Peaceful Road
Traffic Light Trees Red-, yellow- and green-leaved trees keep each other company along the banks of the East Branch of the Deerfield River. Traffic Light Trees
Last Light The reddish tones of first rays of sunrise and the last rays of sunset bring an extra fiery brilliance to fall foliage. This image of field and forest flanking the western slopes of the Green Mountains was taken a few minutes before the sun went down, just off Route 7A near the Bennington/Shaftsbury town line. Last Light
Song in Red and Gray This micro-landscape was taken on the trail up Mt. Olga at Molly Stark State Park, east of Wilmington, Vermont. Again, it was shot as found -- I consider it Song in Red and Gray
Woodford Pond Morning Woodford, Vermont is located above 2400 feet in the highlands of the southern Green Mountains. Due to its location, it gets a Woodford Pond Morning
A Time for Maples Sugaring -- the production of maple products including sugar and syrup -- is an old tradition in New England in general, and Vermont in particular. It was common in years gone by for townsfolk to plant sugar maples along paths and roads, as this made it easier to collect the maple sap for boiling. As a result, one can often find large maples by the roadside, like these golden beauties. A Time for Maples
View from a Bridge Colors begin to light up a hillside in this simple capture of a river view taken from a bridge near Somerset, Vermont. View from a Bridge
Ovine Morning Sheep graze in a quiet meadow near flanked by a forest nearing peak foliage, as the last wisps of fog burn off in the Valley of Vermont. Ovine Morning
Pastel Panorama Peaceful dusk reflections in hues of gold and red. Pastel Panorama
Caress For rather obvious reasons, during autumn most people turn their attention to deciduous trees, while coniferous trees get the short end of the stick. (I realize that I am seriously anthropomorphizing here; I doubt the trees care. But you know what I mean. :) ) Caress
Looking North from Mount Equinox At 3,848 feet, Mount Equinox is the highest peak in the Taconic Range, which runs roughly along the border between Vermont and New York. The mountain overlooks the Manchester area, and has a paved toll road that goes right up to the summit. Looking North from Mount Equinox
Rebirth The only thing prettier than morning mist in the autumn is morning mist with beams of sunlight breaking through. Rebirth
Fall on the Rocks Fall on the Rocks
Taconic Reflections Another view of Lake Shaftsbury on a brilliantly clear, blue-sky day. I positioned myself near the edge of the beach on this cool mid-October morning to capture the reflection of the wonderful yellow and red trees on the water's edge, as well as the distant hills of the Taconics and the puffy clouds above. Taconic Reflections
Triptych A Triptych
The Deerfield Valley The Deerfield Valley is the heart of southern Vermont, nestled among the peaks of the Green Mountains. This panoramic image was taken from a viewpoint that not many people know about, located on Route 8 just south of its intersection with Route 9 in Searsburg, Vermont. The Deerfield Valley
Early Autumn on Roaring Branch Roaring Branch runs along the lower portion of the Kelly Stand Road, in Arlington and Sunderland, and is one of the prettiest rivers in all of Vermont. I often come here to admire the beautiful colored rocks, the dark riverbanks and wonderful trees and greenery. This image was taken in late September as the colors were just starting along the water. Early Autumn on Roaring Branch
Layers of Gold This is a simple image taken in the forest behind my place in the southern Green Mountains. The interesting leaves on the left-hand side are from beech trees, which aren't considered among the better trees for fall foliage since they only turn shades of gold and brown, rather than brilliant fiery orange and red. They do, however, form interesting shapes and patterns because of the tendency for areas near the veins to change later than the rest of the leaves. Layers of Gold
Autumn Impressions Viewed with a tight angle, the peak foliage and its reflections take on an almost impressionstic feel. Autumn Impressions
Rapid Turning I really liked how the yellowish color of the water in this rapid complemented the colors of the leaves above it. Taken along Roaring Branch, Arlington, Vermont. Rapid Turning
Scarlet Surprise While driving in the Londonderry area of south-central Vermont, I spotted a pretty river scene and waded through undergrowth and brush to get to the bank. When I got there, however, the lighting wasn't quite what I hoped it would be, and I couldn't get an image that I particularly liked. As I turned around to go back to the car, I spotted these brilliant red leaves, which I believe are red oak seedlings, still covered with morning dew. Scarlet Surprise
Beaver Pond Symmetry If you've looked through this entire SceneSet from the start, you probably already know that I have a bit of a fascination with water reflection shots. What can I say -- I like symmetry. :) Beaver Pond Symmetry
Mist in the Valley Another beautiful view of the Taconics from the Arlington area. Mist in the Valley
Smooth Staircase The Green Mountains are filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of unnamed small streams, like this one. In the spring they can become rushing torrents -- as well as after a big rainfall -- but most of the time they just form pretty cascades as they wind their way down the rocks. Smooth Staircase
The Garden of Eden I have nothing to say. Just enjoy. :) The Garden of Eden

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© 2003-2011 Charles M. Kozierok. All Rights Reserved.