A Very Nice New Jersey Fall
Every year it starts around the beginning of October. At camera clubs, coffee shops, on social media, chance meetings in the field, or anywhere New Jersey landscape photographers gather, they start to exchange predictions about the quality of the coming fall colors. There are theories, so many theories, about the weather, the frost, the temperature and more. But all these discussions are really just a way to pass the time until the end of October when the colors peak in New Jersey.
Theories aside, this year was a great year for color in the New Jersey Pinelands. Probably one of the best I’ve seen. For four weeks from mid October to early in November, I was out photographing almost every day. Join me below and enjoy this little trip through Fall in the Pinelands.
Week 1 – Early Fall In The Pinelands
By Mid-October the everything was beginning to show the signs of great color. It was during these early shoots that I realized that we were in for something special.
Week 2 and 3 – Pinelands Fall By The Water
By the last week in October the colors became intense, proving that the New Jersey Pinelands is more than just a bunch of pine trees. I made it a point to be out every day, long before dawn, heading deep in the Pines to catch the early light along the rivers and bogs.
Week 2 and 3 – Fall In The Pinelands Forests
Throughout the Pinelands are stands of deciduous trees. Their color this year was absolutely beautiful allowing the creation of colorful intimate landscapes.
Week 5 – All Good Things Come To An End
Falling temperatures, rain and wind brought an end to the fall leaves. Yes, all good things come to an end, but new good things surely follow as the winter textures of the Pinelands start to reveal themselves.
This year friends in New England reported less than exceptional fall colors during their famous “leaf peeping” season. While the flocks of tourists there may have been disappointed, we locals were not. The New Jersey Pinelands tends to play second, or even third fiddle to many U.S. landscapes, but there is magic in these Pines to those who seek it and makes this a place like no other.
Enjoy
See more of my Pinelands Photography here
Postscript: The last phrase is this post is actually the title of a book I’ve been asked to write called The New Jersey Pinelands, A Place Like No Other. Look for it in late 2019 or early 2020.
Your vision of the Pine Barrens is quite astonishing. Although I have been through it many times on the way to other places it never occured to me to that this was a place worth exploring.
Thank you Dave. I hope you get to explore this amazing place soon.
Very Beautiful! Treat to the eyes and the soul!
Thank you very much Anushka. I find that time in the Pinelands is always a treat for my soul.
WOW… what a way to wake up the photo senses!!! Sure did seem like the colors were everywhere rather than the ususal hide and seek comps. Love the moon set and the way fall progressed through your pics and weeks… great blog of our hidden gem… “THE PINES”.
Thanks Mike. Glad to wake up those senses. It was an amazing fall and I’m glad I had the time to explore it in detail this year. It never ceases to amaze me that right down the street from the busy highways and crowded communities are these amazing woods.
Exceptional photos, Rich. You certainly show the beauty of the NJ pinelands.
Thanks Ken. I appreciate it.
These are fantastic images, Rich.
Thanks Craig. I’m going to have to get you out here one day to photograph.
Wonderful as always!
Thanks Bonnie
Absolutely beautiful images. You convey the sense-of-place of the Pine Barrens so well.
Thanks Mike. The Pine Barrens are a place I feel very comfortable with and quite connected to.
Beautiful images – Breath taking photography!
Thank you for posting these Rich!
Hi Eric. It is my pleasure to post these and I appreciate your comment and compliment.
Fantastic as always. Entertainment for the eyes. Thanks so much for sharing your amazing talents
Thanks Jon. I’m glad you enjoyed these photographs.
One word… Beautiful!
Thanks Barry. I appreciate it.
Thank you for using your talent to showcase our very own pinelands gem. It is intriguing how you are able to capture its beauty with your eye for each unique and delicious photo!
It’s my pleasure to share the Pinelands on this blog and everywhere else I speak about photography. We live in an amazing place. Thank you for your compliment on my work.
Be still my heart!! These are exquisite Rich! Absolutely beautiful! If it weren’t for the 2+ hours drive and nearly $20 in tolls I’d be up there every day! 🙂 Can’t wait for the book to come out!
Thanks Janet. I know it’s a long trip for you, but yet you’ve done it more than once and have enjoyed the Pines as much as we locals do. I can’t wait for the book either. It’s a lot of work.
Excellent collection of Pine lands fall images.
Thank Lou.
You certainly had a productive fall!!! Stunning images, each and every one.
Thanks Denise. It was a good time of year to be a landscape photographer with a lot of free time.
I agree, last fall in Pine Barrens was exquisite and as always your images shows how exceptional is this place. I must admit, red swamp maples in Pine Barrens are my obsession and for me last fall in Pine Barrens was a pure joy. If you don’t mind to take a look they are here:
https://www.facebook.com/goraczniak/
It was stunning this year at the location you photographed. You can see I shot the same maples.
Love the photos. I have taken some pics in the Pine Barrens (fall and snow) but none as beautiful as these.
Thank you Kris. I’m glad you like these photographs.