Smith and Halfmile Ponds

[grouseking]

MY tour of the upper valley continues.....this time with a trip over to Smith and Halfmile Ponds within the Enfield Wildlife Area. I've visited these ponds once before, and wanted to see what has changed within the last few years. Not much has changed, some of the unmaintained trails were blazed, but pretty wet and hairy, so it is definitely not an easy walk in the woods to get to these Ponds, especially Halfmile Pond. Plus there was a trail split and you have to pick the correct way to get there...no signs. Anyways, pics...

A woody woodpeckered' tree

A mostly treed in ledge area on the way to Halfmile Pond, but very nice. I call this Blueberry Ledge, because they were everywhere.

Halfmile Pond, 9 acres in size...very remote feeling, because its in between two hills.

Lady slipper colony. There were TONS of them. Like...40+ in a group.

Smith Pond, 96 acres in size.

Yertle the Turtle laying eggs

Smith Pond is gorgeous. A lot of work has been going on up there to help save some of the old Shaker dams that helped to build up the pond, and I think it is safe to say they are going the job. The pond is much higher than last time I visited, and I checked out a favorite waterfall of mine below the pond....barely any flow at all. Kinda sad, but at least the pond was looking great.

think I could ride this baby out?

and finally...from the Montcalm golf course..side trip...an interesting view over to Whaleback ski area...

Hope you all enjoyed the pics. It's not the whites, but it kinda felt like it...with the spruce and fir forests, solitude, and constant moose tracks.

http://grouseking.smugmug.com/New-H...-and-Smith/17394333_SV5cnx#1322472739_dRfHX78

 

[w7xman]

Looks like a great spot for a hike...I enjoy all of the little places you take us to. AND...that lady slipper shot is incredible!

 

[PETCH]

Great pics! I agree on the Lady Slipper picture- super clear.

nice
Petch

 

[Jason Berard]

Hiking with Greg? I recognize the pack

Nice trip! I've never been to the two ponds, but I've been to the waterfall, I think. Does it drain towards Mascoma Lake?

 

[grouseking]

Great pics! I agree on the Lady Slipper picture- super clear.

nice
Petch

Thanks! pure luck shot. The flowers are so low to the ground and my LCD finder bit the big one awhile ago. So I was kinda taking the pic blind.

Hiking with Greg? I recognize the pack

Nice trip! I've never been to the two ponds, but I've been to the waterfall, I think. Does it drain towards Mascoma Lake?

Heh, yup that was Greg. Plus a good friend of mine and his crazy golden retriever.

That waterfall is just below the pond...and eventually heads down to Mascoma Lake. I think it is part of Smith Pond brook. With all the work that has been done on those dams, I am not surprised that the waterfall was nothing more than a trickle. Here is what it looks like on a full water day.

There is another, even nicer waterfall further down, but with only a trickle at this upper fall, it makes me wonder how much is left for the more impressive one. Shown below:

 

[1HappyHiker]

This report (+ the one you filed a day or so ago) are both terrific! Those non-mainstream places you visit are fascinating, and you get some great photos. Speaking of photos, I agree completely with the kudos others have offered regarding your Lady Slipper photo. I've had difficulty getting a good snapshot of that particular flower, but you hit it out of the park!

 

[grouseking]

This report (+ the one you filed a day or so ago) are both terrific! Those non-mainstream places you visit are fascinating, and you get some great photos. Speaking of photos, I agree completely with the kudos others have offered regarding your Lady Slipper photo. I've had difficulty getting a good snapshot of that particular flower, but you hit it out of the park!

Thanks again John! That pic I took is prob the first good ladyslipper pic I have ever been able to get. It almost never focuses on the flower itself. Come to think of it, I rarely get good shots of flowers, period. I may have to practice with some larger flowers sometime.

 

[grouseking]

Looks like a great spot for a hike...I enjoy all of the little places you take us to. AND...that lady slipper shot is incredible!

Wow, thanks for the praise...means a lot coming from an incredible photographer such as yourself. I consider the shot pure luck, with a little cropping....

 

[DougPaul]

Thanks again John! That pic I took is prob the first good ladyslipper pic I have ever been able to get. It almost never focuses on the flower itself. Come to think of it, I rarely get good shots of flowers, period. I may have to practice with some larger flowers sometime.

Nice ladyslipper pic.

I have an out-of-focus ladyslipper pic too. The camera decided to focus on the background...

My cameras have multiple focus points and use their "artificial intelligence" to decide which one to use. After they chose the wrong one once too often, I set the cameras to use only the center focus point. I aim the cameras directly at the desired focus point (ie place the center focus point on the desired spot), half press the button (which sets the focus and exposure), re-aim if necessary, and press the rest of the way to take the shot. Check your manual to see if you can do the same thing. Automation is not always a blessing...

Doug