Are you still out there looking for the fall colors? Lisa and I have been and there is still a lot of color out there. Between the 19th and the 22nd of October, Lisa and I have found that Massachusetts has been providing some wonderful fall colors. My webcam that shows Boston (as of the 23rd) is showing some golden trees along the Charles River.

You can still find some fall colors up North but by the 3rd week in October, I will always tell you to be looking in Southern New England. This usually means very Southern NH or VT and of course, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. For the past five days, Lisa and I have been touring the same places I tell you to go. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Massachusetts

Jeff “Foliage” Folger Reports: Last week was much like this week and the colors moved closer to the coastline (which means we’re running out of time). First, I’m going to show you that not everything is perfect. Photographers are only going to show you their best captures. All those wonderful Instagram images that you love are over-enhanced. and they RARELY tell you the whole story.

Just because you follow someone and ALL they show you are wonderful images, that same person probably had to work really hard to find those images because many places can/will be bare. We are persistent and that is why we find those great shots. (1st shot Brimfield MA, 2nd Concord MA, 3rd along Route 95 near Lexington)

The middle shot above from Concord shows the reality, one tree was a glorious golden-orange and the trees around it were so-so… But check my Instagram and you will see My successes and not My failures as always I have my share of both…

The Routes I suggest you travel over the coming weekend in Massachusetts are Route 62 (Middleton, North Reading, and down through Burlington. You can continue on Route 62 through Maynard and Stow MA as well… Visit my Facebook page to see what I’m up to on any given day.

Calendar Winner is Impressed…

Michelle told me: “My calendar arrived today! I am so impressed with not only the images but the quality! I was expecting flimsy paper with beautiful images, so you’ve exceeded my expectations with the use of cardstock and how beautifully bound this calendar is. It’s difficult to pick a favorite image as they are all beautiful, though there is something about the May image that I keep going back to… I may just have to frame that one!”
Each person who won the contest (there were 5 winners) and I’m sure each will pick a different image. You can order a copy of this calendar by clicking here. You can check my other Calendars here.

My calendars are available on Lulu.com and they print on demand. I have four calendars this year. New England, New England Fall Foliage, Covered Bridges, and New England Lighthouses.

Continuing Massachusetts…

Joann Vitali Reports: “Today I found the best color driving through small Ma towns including Stow, Sudbury, and Harvard. The maples in people’s yards were blazing!”

As you can see Joann has been finding good if not great fall colors in Massachusetts. Visit her Facebook page here OR check her Instagram page (Cobblestone & Birch) here.

New Hampshire

Jeff “Foliage” Folger Reports: Yes Lisa and I traveled back up to New Hampshire and while the fall colors are fading in Southern New Hampshire, You CAN still find fall colors depending on where you look. We were in the area of Temple NH once again and the trees around the Temple town common were even brighter than they were last week but Lisa said she had just found Fryes Measure Mill nearby (on her phone) Normally I tell you to get out your Gazetteer (pick up a copy for next year in my Amazon store) But sometimes you need all your tools.

On our way there we spotted Ben’s Sugar Shack and stopped in. They have “of course” maple syrup for sale but they also make hot and cold sandwiches. We ordered a sandwich and Lisa bought gifts for her and the grandkids. You can see they have outdoor eating (but we don’t think they have any indoor eating areas) But they have restrooms so I would say put this on your list of places to stop at. – 8 Webster Highway, Temple, New Hampshire)

We took our lunch with us and got over to the Fryes Measure Mill, It was not open on Tuesday (only seems to be open for tours on Saturdays) so we walked around taking a few pictures. We ate our lunch at a picnic table there and moved on to Lyndeborough, Wilton, Wilton Center. Then we started making our way back to Massachusetts. Maybe New Hampshire is “Past Peak” but I will say as always, give be past peak any day, because…

That closes out New Hampshire for 2024, I may be back up there but the better colors are down in Massachusetts… (Sorry New Hampshire) And now down to Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Mark Spremuli Photography Reports: Mark has found the colors developing this week around Bristol Rhode Island.

Mark Spremuli can be found on Facebook here and you can find him on Instagram here.

Connecticut

Jonathan Steele Photography Reports: The colors are slowly developing in Central Connecticut and down in the area of Essex Connecticut around Ivoryton, he caught this sunset shot with his drone.

Jonathan Steele can be found on his Facebook Page Here or on his Instagram Page Here.

Jeff’s thoughts on the week ahead…

We are getting down to the final lap in the race. The colors should still be nice in Massachusetts through the weekend but if you are not having any luck, then try closer to Boston. The Arnold Arboretum has spectacular displays and there are lots of conservation areas. Check your Massachusetts Gazetteer, don’t have one???, pick it up in my Amazon Store.

Setting Expectations: If you are driving around and all you are seeing at the Oaks turning, it may mean most of the maples have dropped their leaves. The maples are still around but whole hillsides of maples are far and few. Here is an average hill that I’m seeing in Massachusetts.

It’s not that the oaks aren’t pretty but they are not as bright as the maples. I can’t swear that the bright gold trees are maples but I don’t think they are oaks. I think much of the colors you see in this image are the oaks with some ash and hickory for their gold colors.

For the coming weekend/week, (24-31 October) I’m thinking closer to the coastline of Massachusetts and down into Rhode Island and Connecticut. The Quiet Corner of Connecticut, Northwestern Rhode Island and places like Paxton and West Boylston Massachusetts. Get your maps out and find some back roads to explore.

Go pick some apples, and a pumpkin for the upcoming Halloween holiday (it’s one week away) and see what else you can find. Good luck in your travels and visit our New England Fall Foliage Photos Facebook Group to see what others are finding…

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

Visit my Amazon affiliate store for items that Lisa and I have curated for you. These items are either New England-made or things we think will make your fall foliage trip more successful.

• Visit my Fine Art America Gallery
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