Here is an update to the fall foliage report for Central Vermont;
IT'S FOLIAGE TIME!!!!!!!
I took some new shots yesterday afternoon around my office, and again this morning on the way in to work (I was late so that I could bring you the latest - that's how dedicated I am. ;-D), even though it has been overcast and rainy much of the week. This morning, there was even *GASP* snow dusting the higher elevations, but I could not get a good vantage point for a clear shot of the snowy peaks. Sorry, but you winter lovers will have to wait a bit longer.
Anyway, foliage is in full swing here in central Vermont. Central and northern Vermont are at mid-peak now, with most of the state in mid-peak as well. You can find the latest foliage map here:
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=5424371
I had nearly thirty photos to post, but I thought that was a bit much so I will select out the best and put them here. I will start with a little sex for you voyeurs out there.
Yes, even though it's a bit chilly these Huntsman spiders are having a go at it on the side of a rock. I guess you could say the female was caught between a rock and ...... well, you get it.
OK, now that we've gotten past the hook, here are the latest photos from around Montpelier and Berlin:
Thanks for indulging me, and Happy Fall everyone!
*Photos copyright 2009 by Bill Schwartz All Rights Reserved.
PLEASE NOTE!!!!! If you've found your way here, can I recommend another post?
http://open.salon.com/blog/chicago_guy/2009/10/01/barry_doyles_new_book_dallas_iconography
Please check out Roger's review of our very own Barry Doyle's book, "Dallas Iconography". Roger did a marvelous write-up of the book.
Thanks!
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Owl_Says_Who
TheBarkingLot4
Art James
neilpaul
Outside Myself
Dennis Knight
Salon.com
Comments
BILL! Are you kidding me? If I see anything remotely like this on my trip to PA in a few weeks, I might not come home! This truly is stunning and you must know how lucky you are to live there. I'm sorry you were late to work, but I for one appreciate your dedication. :-) Beautiful.
I just wish we had had a little more summer, is all I'm sayin.
pretty pictures though...poignant.
gorgeous.
R
The colorful leaves are such a treat for the eyes!!!
I especially like the shot of that single red leaf.
Thanks Bill!
Spin Doctor - The spiders were kind of a bonus. I was out looking for stuff to shoot when I saw a cluster of spindly legs on the side of the rock. I could not believe that I was seeing a mutated spider with sixteen legs, but that was what it looked like. A macro shot from the appropriate angle set me straight. I thought if I included sex (albeit insectoid sex) I might get a cover spot. :-D
Outside Myself - Yeah, I know. I'm sorry about that. Glad you didn't hit the monitor. As for the being late for work part, I've been trying like a dog to get some shots in the morning on the way in, or in the afternoon on the way home, but it's been raining. This was one of the first times I had a chance, and I wasn't gonna waste it.
AHP - I am always glad to share this wonderful place with y'all.
NoFrillsMonkey - We didn't get much summer this year, either. I think we had a grand total of about two weeks of summer weather, and that was it.
Janie - Come on, take a ride. You deserve it. The crisp air, redolent of burning wood, the splashes of pastels - it can be very soothing.
smithery - Me too. I think, if the weather holds and you don't get below freezing temps and wind-driven rains, you should have a fantastic display.
Sheila - My pleasure, girl. I have mixed feelings about autumn, as I really do not have any great love for winter and autumn means it's closing in. But the turning of the leaves, the slight chill in the air - it's damn beautiful.
Cathy - Well, even spiders need love. :-D
Andy - I am now officially jonesing for a cider donut. Will have to see about getting one or a few dozen. :-D
Roger - Thanks, my man. It was the first song that came to mind, and one of my favorites.
Spotted Mind - :-D. I try to get one every year. I like them better on the trees since I don't have to rake them until they hit the ground, but when you come across a single one lying brightly on the grass - well, I had to take it.
cave_canem - Glad I could make you wistful. Please, feel free to come on back for a visit anytime, and if you can't make it to Vermont physically then come visit my posts. I do a lot of shooting around here.
Mike - Yep, we do have some small mountains here. :-D Thanks for the kudos, I was not sure this one would get anything as my last post on foliage got an EP and a cover spot. Warms my heart to see it up there, albeit briefly.
Sally - Many many thanks. I gladly offer up my shots for sale, in fact I sold 6 prints to a co-worker a few months back. But I also like offering them up here for your enjoyment. After all, I only took the photo - the rest had nothing to do with me. :-D
SuznMaree - It truly is my pleasure. Glad you liked them.
and I am simply homesick, for the northeast
{sigh}
thanks so much
Wonderful photos, although I did kind if jump until I saw that was TWO spiders, not just one super-leggy specimen.
Rated.
It's AMAZING how much Vermont and Eastern Tennessee/Western North Carolina look alike.
Rated
Marcela
Shiral - I had the same reaction regarding the spiders when I took that shot. And Thank YOU for coming along for the ride through the mountains of central Vermont.
Greg - Many thanks, brother. I'd like to see the mountains in NC and Tennessee sometime. I've seen pics of the Great Smoky Mountains, and I want to be there.
Marcela - Yes, that's how I see it too - Leaf Therapy. Best of all, it's free. :-D
Steve - I hadn't noticed that but you are right - even the bugs are dressed for autumn! Many thanks.
kmbearden - I am glad that I could provide a little entertainment. Thanks for dropping in.
Folks, if you're peeking in at comments, can I recommend another post?
http://open.salon.com/blog/chicago_guy/2009/10/01/barry_doyles_new_book_dallas_iconography
Chicago_Guy (aka Roger) has done an excellent review of a book by our very own Barry Doyle, titled "Dallas Iconongraphy". Barry is a photographer extraordinaire, and Roger is a wordsmith of the highest calibre. If you haven't been by yet, pay Roger a visit. You will be glad you did.
OK forget the insects; Vermont is gorgeous and I feel privileged to see a bit of it through your eyes. Congrats on the EP too buddy!
how are the apples this year?
and how sweet of you to link Roger's post about Barry's book (thank you! I just ordered it).
Roger
I love all the shots, and am drawn to turning leaves, the prettiest time of the year. Thanks so much...
And, thanks so much for the note about my book in your update, you're really a wonderful friend as well.
(May I also give a shout out to one of our own? kmbearden, who posted a comment just above mine runs a photoblog here on OS too, she is so intuitively good, it's worth noting whenever she posts anything--she currently has some exquisite tango shots up.)
Sumptuous post Bill, wonderfully done, thanks.
For those of us in Florida, this is heaven. I miss my NY house and the colorful woods beyond. Will be coming up next week, so may be too late....
And yes, Barry's book is great!
AshKW - Glad I could help. :-D
trig - Thank you much. I am pleased to be able to share this great place with you folks. The EP was nice too. ;-D
LuluandPhoebe - Roger's post needed attention. I am simply ashamed that I did not think of linking to it sooner than I did. He really is a fine writer, and his review of Barry's book was simply awesome.
Roger - I can only say it pleases me to no end to share some virtual space with you.
Barry, my brother, I thank you profusely. That shot, it was pretty funny. I stood outside for ten minutes, chasing falling leaves and trying to get THE shot. They fall so quickly, it's hard to get good focus. That one (and many of the others) was taken with the 55-200mm VR lens. I cropped it short and centered the leaf. That lens has done very well for me. Especially if those shots drew praise from you. You honor me more than I can say. I'll have to spend some time over at kmbearden's - I had no idea she was a photographer.
Highlonesome - It was my great pleasure to share these. Glad you liked them.
voicegal - The spiders were really just for giggles. :-D
Lea - If you're coming next week, I'll ask the leaves to hang around. :-D We should be mostly peak or maybe a little past peak, but unless there is heavy rain and wind there should still be some color in the mountains.
Mary - Many many thanks. Technically, some of these leave a bit to be desired, I probably should have used a polarized filter to damp down some of the brightness of the overcast sky, but I didn't have a lot of time. I was on my way in to work, and I pulled onto the shoulder of the interstate to take many of these. Didn't want to hang out there too long.