The Lyme Land Trust is pleased to announce the Photos of Distinction for the Summer 2025 session of Imagining Lyme. All of the photos chosen this season just happen to have been taken in the Lyme Preserves.

There were many wonderful photos submitted to the gallery this season. Please take the time to look at the other beautiful photographs that are displayed in our showcase gallery. Please visit the gallery to see all the submissions and to submit your photos. The next deadline is December 31, 2025 for photos of Fall.

The judges felt that the following photographs stood out above the rest based upon the criteria of emotional impact and creative design. Here is the list of these photos with judges’ comments.

Monarch Caterpillar in Grassy Hill Preserve
By Rochelle Davis
Grassy Hill Preserve

Rochelle Davis’s “Monarch Caterpillar in Grassy Hill Preserve” is a triumph in curiosity, imagination, composition, and technical expertise. Many hikers would walk past this milkweed plant (Butterfly Weed) lost in their thoughts and never engage in the wonders at hand. What was it that attracted Rochelle’s eye? The color of the buds about to burst out? Or the texture of the delicate, hairy stems, or design in the leaves? Or was it the wondrous design of the caterpillar munching its way around the plant, gathering energy to make its next transformation into a beautiful Monarch butterfly? And, once captivated, what does the photographer do? How does the photographer organize the elements into a coherent design that could intrigue a viewer to stop and take a second look and ponder the scene and delight in his or her own discovery. Rochelle’s use of a shallow depth of field (perhaps a F8 on a 35mm camera with a medium telephoto lens) focuses our attention on what most interests her and allows the elements of caterpillar, leaves, and buds to form a strong foreground design, while the soft focus of the trees and grasses in the background quietly create a tight circular composition. This kind of discovery is so rewarding. Well done Rochelle

Written by Joe Standart

I Spy with my Little Eye…
by Kristina White
Jon Pritchard Conservation Center

In this intriguing photograph by Kristina White, one is immediately drawn in by the pleasing arrangement of the composition. The interesting shapes, intricate lines and soothing green color of the Fragrant Sumac plant stand out against the darker brown background. Yet! Look more closely and allow the overlapping leaves to lead you back into the near distance and what do you see?* Thank you for sharing this delightful moment of discovery, Kristina! The beautiful native Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) grows about 2 feet high and can cover the ground up to six feet around. It provides forage and protection for many little creatures. At the John Pritchard Conservation Center, the Lyme Land Trust has chosen to create a garden and meadow with native plants to provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife in place of a traditional lawn of turf grass which does not support biodiversity. Welcome, little visitor!

Written by Wendolyn Hill

*I see a bunny looking at me.

Roaring Brook Ripples
By John Gluszak
Roaring Brook Preserve

I am always delighted when someone pauses to marvel at the simple things, to find beauty in the ordinary. A twig lodged in a stream bed creates a ripple in the water’s surface, which reflects the verdant greens of surrounding vegetation and the blues and whites of the cloud filled sky. The sun has illuminated the surroundings which energizes the reflections highlighting the wake of the twig in the water. This ephemeral composition is visible now but could disappear the moment a cloud covers the sun. John appears to have used a telephoto lens to zero in on the twig and thus editing out all the extraneous and perhaps confusing elements of a stream bed. The wake created by the stationary twig brings a sense of motion and depth to the 2-dimensional image. Nice Job John

Written by Joe Standart

Honorable Mention
Walking Tree
By Hong Wan
Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve

This photograph by Hong Wan showcases an interesting phenomenon that one encounters in the woods from time to time. As Hong explains in her description, the “legs” on this tree were most likely formed around a nurse log–a dead fallen log that supports a young growing tree–which eventually rotted away. Using her imagination and sense of humor, she has composed a whimsical photograph, emphasizing the idea of the tree walking along on its “legs”. The diagonal aspect of the tree trunk and its distance from the small trees in the background add to the sense of movement. Is the tiny figure in the background running away?

Written by Wendolyn Hill

The judges for this session were Wendolyn Hill and Joe Standart.

Joe Standart is an internationally known, award-winning photographer. His national public art initiative, Portrait of America, began in New London in 2004. Learn more about Joe.

Wendolyn Hill is an artist, award winning photographer, and former professor of art. Learn more about Wendy.