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.

Pastel Dawn Whitesbog Pine Barrens

Pastel Dawn by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Whitesbog Fall Morning by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Pine Barrens Fall Along The Mullica

Fall Along The Mullica by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Pinelands Mullica River Mist

Mullica River Mist by Richard Lewis 2018

 

First Light on the Batsto River by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Pine Barrens Decorated For Fall

Decorated for Fall by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Friendship Fall by Richard Lewis 2018

 

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.

 

A Fall Scene with a Touch Of Mist by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Fall Tree by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Deep in the Pinelands by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Colorful Pinelands Moonset by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Pine Barrens Fall Reflections

Reflections on a Fall Forest by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Pinelands Fall Scene by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Fall Reflections by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Fiery Fall Colors by Richard Lewis 2018

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.

Pinelands Fall Treescape by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Pinelands Fall Textures by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Four Red Trees by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Fall Along the Riverbank by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Bog Color by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Deeper in the Woods by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Even These are Beautiful in the Fall by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Fall Textures in The Preserve by Richard Lewis 2018

 

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.

King of The Swamp by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Rainbow Bridge by Richard Lewis 2018

 

Pinelands Birches In The Late Afternoon

Birch in the Late Afternoon by Richard Lewis 2018

 

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.