Hiking in the mountains of New Hampshire you notice all the different climate zones the National Forest has to offer. From the lower valley where Beach, Maple, and Birch trees dominate, to the Mountain peaks where the Alpine tundra soars over a mile into the sky. My favorite is the Boreal Forest that dominates the mid to upper section of the mountains. Here, the Red Spruce, and Balsam Fir trees are so dense that without a trail it may be impossible to pass. In the winter the trees are covered in snow and rime ice giving the peaks their official name, The White Mountains.

The stark contrast of birch trees in autumn keeps me on an endless search for new groves. I found this small grouping in the White Mountain National Forest this past fall and fell in love. The small brush and saplings of forest floor complemented the well-established birches. This image was captured as the sun crested the mountains surrounding the valley casting nice soft light making for a shadow free exposure. I look forward to returning to this spot again in the future, maybe this winter after a fresh snowfall.

The morning Sun was rising above the peaks while the valley fog lingered below. With time, the Sun would overcome the fog brightening the valleys below to welcome a new day. But, for a brief time, the two would dance offering a lovely sight from above.

Spending 10 days in the Pacific Northwest and words can’t describe how amazing it is there. Every where you turn is another magnificent view. This morning was spent at Reflection Lake in Mount Rainier National Park. Not a cloud in the sky as the warm rays of the sun illuminated this sleeping giant to begin yet another day in an unbelievable place.

A Friday night in May I was able to experience the brightest showing of the Aurora in over 20 years here in New Hampshire. Knowing cloud cover was a potential I decided to go out anyway, I’m glad I did. The pillars of green light radiated through out the dark sky and were constantly changing. The event was incredible and something I won’t soon forget.

An adventure north teleported me right into the peak foliage of the White Mountains. I wanted to be the first to arrive at Crystal Cascade and I was. As I waited for the mornings soft light, I composed my shot to capture the golden leaves that framed the waterfall. The overcast sky casted soft diffused light over the scene. I used a polarizer to cut down the reflecting light on the water as well as to amplify the color of foliage. The results are stunning.

Of all the lookouts surrounding Mount Rainer this one I found especially interesting. The trees and grass elegantly frame the peak during the mid-summer Sun. I passed this spot several times and knew I had to come back and shoot it in the right light. The warmth of the sun melting the snow created some amazing atmosphere to complete the shot.

The cooler temperatures of September start the transition from Summer to Autumn. During this phase of the year, the warm bodies of water take longer to chill compared the ambient air. Due to the difference in temperatures, a fog forms on the lake creating an ethereal view of nature. Add a colorful sunrise and you have a wonderful morning scene to capture.

As the Sun approaches Solar Maximum, it begins to surge with additional activity.  The additional activity increases the chances for solar winds and mass ejections of particles.  During this phase, the Aurora Borealis becomes more active here on Earth.  In May of 2024, our Sun released a large amount of charged particles in our direction and resulted in the strongest Aurora in 20 years.  The Aurora was so strong that they were visible as far south as Florida. 

As the particles collided with Earth’s magnetic field, the phenomena lit up the night sky with pink, purple, blue and green light.  The different colors are caused when the particles interact with the gases in the upper atmosphere.  Greens and reds are caused when the particles interact with Oxygen, while purples and blue are caused when interacting with Nitrogen. 

On this night, all the colors of the Aurora were visible, and its movement was other worldly.  As I photographed this tree with the Aurora overhead, I was shocked at how quickly the sky would change.  It was like a river, turbulent and fast.  The simplicity of the tree in the foreground of this image allows for the Aurora to be the true star of the show.

This capture was taken in the White Mountain National Forest along one of its many mountain brooks. The gold leaves that have fallen and those that still adorn the surrounding trees create a warm and inviting environment. I love the setting of the rock in the center of the river. The way it breaks up the waterfall couldn’t be more elegant. Finally, the cascades reconnect prior to passing under the foot bridge vanishing further down into the valley.

This scene was so peaceful and calming I spent more time enjoying it than photographing it. The calm waters and colors of Autumn lifted my mind away from the everyday hustle and bustle, it was a relaxing experience. I wasn’t the only one there on this day, several other groups of nature lovers were there with me. I can only assume that they found this place just as uplifting and peaceful as I did. I wish I had asked them how they felt that day and I wish they had shared their sentiments with me.

On a recent walk I noticed this unique looking plant and it immediately caught my eye. The leaves were as big as my leg, and it was starting to create a large bud in the center of its stock. The patterns and geometric shapes the leaves create were mesmerizing, I have seen nothing like it before. Sometimes it’s the little things that go unnoticed, but not this, this will be remembered forever.

Stonehouse Pond is a local favorite amongst the New Hampshire Seacoast fly fisherman. It also a favorite spot for local hikers/climbers. The 100-foot cliff stands directly over the clear waters of the pond offering lovely views from all directions. In the cool mornings of Autumn, the calm flat water offers a peaceful retreat for those looking to find a small piece of nature’s beauty.

The vivid colors of Autumn are New England’s annual celebration of the end of summer. You don’t always have to look directly at the trees, their reflections in the water can be just as impressive and calming.

I arrived at the perfect time to capture this image. The waters were like glass reflecting a perfect mirror image of the mountains. This scene only lasted a matter of minutes before the winds changed the landscape for the remainder of the day. Being in the right place at the right time has its benefits.

Autumn had arrived and the colors of nature were exploding. The cool and calm morning with smoke filled skies created a haze that made the reds, oranges, and yellows glow different than in years past. The still water on Lake Chocorua helped complete this image with a perfect reflection. It almost looks like glass that you could walk across.

Stonehouse Pond is a local landmark in Southeastern New Hampshire. This little pond has significant character with a large granite cliff that disappears into the water. Many adventures await, do not hesitate to visit.

There is just something about waterfalls that brings me peace and harmony. The way that water descends effortlessly over anything in its path while echoing a calming tone may be my favorite things to experience. Each waterfall is unique and brings me joy.

The hike up Maple Pass Trail might have been one of my favorite adventures to date. With alpine lakes at the base of the steep peaks I knew the view from the top would be stunning. Coming around the bend, this vista was waiting for me. I was honored to capture the scene in its entirety with this panorama.

Glacial water comes in many colors, and this is by far the most brilliant. The vivid turquoise waters of Silver Falls sparkle through the forest from Sunup to Sundown. I could have stayed here all day and watched the water dance through rocks carved by thousands of years of erosion.