Monthly Photos Index In the table below, click on a photo for a larger version.

Photo	Photo Information...
MAY 2024	58a. Jeff Sullivan and Bill Doak took these photos at the Earth Day cleanup party organized by the Land Trust at Center Springs Park and the Cheney rail trail. Thank you to all the volunteers, including employee groups from Amazon (eight volunteers pictured) and Cox Communications. Individuals (unidentified volunteer pictured) and Land Trust board members participated. The Town supported the effort with trucks that picked up the trash.
MAY 2024	58b. Unidentified helper.
APR 2024	57. Not a pretty sight, but representative of our volunteers at work to clean up properties. Brad Palmer took this photo at Bush Hill on February 24 .
MAR 2024	56a. Risley Reservoir by life member Cynthia Barlow. Photo taken February 18, 2024, looking toward Lake Street, Vernon, across the partially frozen reservoir.
MAR 2024	56b. "My new friend," says Brad Palmer, steward of our 177.5-acre Bush Hill property. Photo taken on February 15, 2024.
FEB 2024	55a. Brad Palmer, steward at Bush Hill, took this photo on January 9, 2024, looking down the hill toward the red barn; farm pond is on the right.
FEB 2024	55b. John Bolduc took this December 2024 photo of volunteer work at the old Cheney railroad, now a popular rail trail. That's Land Trust Vice President Frank Belknap with the leaf-blower.
JAN 2024	54. Eagle Scout candidate Ray Darling of Troop 186 in South Windsor organized his fellow scouts to mulch, clear land, build, and install two benches at the pollinator garden on our Riverpoint property, 237 East River Drive, East Hartford. Land Trust president Dermot Jones took this photo on December 10. Ray is pictured with his mother, Takako Darling, left, and garden designer and volunteer Toshiko Uchino.
DEC 2023	53. Ed Ciolkosz took these two photos in October at our Bush Hill property -- the old farm pond near the red barn. Ed said, "I love roaming the grounds in the Fall."
NOV 2023	52. Frank Belknap took this picture of the meadow at our 177.5-acre Bush Hill property. "This is the season that I look forward to. It comes for only several weeks but the colors make our time in New England something many come from afar to witness." Frank serves as Vice President on our Land Trust Board of Directors, and manages trails for both the Land Trust and the Hockanum Linear Park Committee.
OCT 2023	51. Our image of the month is actually a painting by the very talented Ellen Dougan, who donated the painting to a raffle at the Urban Lodge Beer & BBQ event, September 30. We thank Ellen for this beautiful nature painting, evocative of our forested properties.
SEPT 2023	50a. Gene DeJoannis cleaned up litter at our House property on Greenwood Drive, and took a picture of the creek from the upper trail. Gene said, "I found around 40 cans in the brush along the road. My bags were overflowing. Lots of poison ivy sprouting there. The interior trail was nice and clean and leafy. "
SEPT 2023	50b. Not sure who took the photo of Gene. Perhaps his wife, Diane.
AUG 2023	49. Bill Doak took this photo at Bush Hill on Sunday, July 23 -- volunteers Janet Rivers and Margie Partney at the pollinator garden, located near the pavilion, about 0.3-mile from the parking lot at 330 Bush Hill Road.
JULY 2023	48a. One of photographer Paul Ofria's pictures at our Salter's History Walk on June 4, 2023, Connecticut Trails Day. It was a great opportunity to introduce more people to this 13-acre property on Lydall Street.
JULY 2023	48b. Another of photographer Paul Ofria's pictures at our Salter's History Walk on June 4, 2023, Connecticut Trails Day. It was a great opportunity to introduce more people to this 13-acre property on Lydall Street.
JUNE 2023	47a. Hooked-spur violet, Viola adunca, at our Bush Hill property, April 2023 photo by steward Brad Palmer, who noticed these unusual violets in one of the Bush Hill meadows.
JUNE 2023	47b. Bluebirds at the bluebird houses, photo by bird expert and volunteer Jean DiBenedetto. "We are happy to see these new residents at Bush Hill."
MAY 2023	46. Recognizing all the volunteers who created our new Bush Hill map: Justin Pedneault, Jean DiBenedetto, Gail Gretzmacher, Dave Willsey, Susan Barlow.
APR 2023	45. Brave hikers visited the Bush Hill Preserve on Saturday, February 4, a day that the temperature dropped to 8 degrees below zero. Fortunately, by 1:00 p.m. when guests arrived for the walk, the wind abated and temp increased. Guests on one of the 23 Walks in 2023 pose inside the red barn on the Bush Hill property. The 23 walks with the Town Historian are in celebration of Manchester's 200th anniversary. Thanks to life member Cynthia Barlow for this photo.
MAR 2023	44. Land Trust member and Town director Dennis Schain saw this barred owl at Bush Hill farm on Sunday, February 19. Dennis said, "We encountered this guy today in white trail at Botti. Our presence did not perturb him in the least."
FEB 2023	43. These photos were taken by the trail camera at Bush Hill Farm, or the "Farm Cam" for short. Farm committee members downloaded the photos in January 2023, and here are a bobcat and a fox. Thanks, Gail G. for sending these along.
JAN 2023	42. Thanks to members and neighbors Michael and Jean DiBenedetto for this photo at our Bush Hill property, 330 Bush Hill Road, Manchester. "We headed up to the hilltop behind the red barn early on November 27, and were not disappointed. Bush Hill Preserve has rewarded us with some beautiful sunrises."
DEC 2022	41a. Horses and family by Land Trust neighbor Art Dionne, who took this "trail ride" photo at our Bush Hill property on November 7. He said, "That's my wife and my daughter riding from the Hillstown Road entrance toward the big field, past where all the trees have the roots coming out. That's my favorite spot." Riders Cheryl and Allison agree.
DEC 2022	41b. Geese at Buckland Pond by Land Trust member Normand Charlette, who took this photo of Canada geese at the Trust's Buckland Pond property on October 18. He said, "Trees and shrubs tend to hide the pond surface which makes it a refuge for wildlife. I was able to avoid startling the geese and caught a low Fall sunlight casting all sorts of hues on the water surface from the colorful foliage."
NOV 2022	40a. Life member and volunteer Brad Palmer took this photo of the Yankee Pole Cat Insulator Club at their October meeting held at the pavilion and orchard at our Bush Hill property. The club was "founded in 1971 and draws its members from New England and bordering states. It's a member of the National Insulator Association." Former Land Trust Vice President, Doug MacGillvary, is an insulator collector and a member of the club.
NOV 2022	40b. Dick Jenkins, now living in Florida, forwarded this autumn photo of Salter's Pond. He said, "It's terribly hard to be away from Connecticut these golden days of autumn. The colors are so absolutely breathtaking. I can almost smell the aroma of this season. I become very pensive when a New England autumn arrives."
OCT 2022	39a. Picture taken by Bill Ludwig, the Town Troubador, 09/17/2022. Wonderful experience!"
OCT 2022	39b. Another picture taken by Bill Ludwig on 09/17/2022. Bill said, "My first time visiting (I hope to do so more often!). I had the pleasure of singing a few songs and loved every second of it. What a beautiful hidden treasure in Manchester!" Here's a vintage song: click here.
SEP 2022	38a. Neighbor Steph Joosen Wiatr visited the trails at Bush Hill Preserve and took this photo on August 16. She said, "Explored today for the first time! Wonderful experience!"
SEP 2022	38b. Life member Cynthia Barlow took the photo of the Cardinal Flowers at Risley on August 18 at our Risley property. Cardinal Flower is a native plant that blooms July through September.
AUG 2022	37a. Sandra Lok took this photo at Bush Hill: "Relatives visited from Georgia this week and I was super excited that they wanted to visit the Story Trail with us! We went today, July 26, and everyone was all smiles, especially when we got to the beloved Frog Corner. Left to right: Golden labs included (Andy, Tori, Grant): Anna Claire, Madeline, Brook, Kaitlyn Lok. The kids are from Georgia, and the pups, of course, live in Manchester."
AUG 2022	37b. Gail Gretzmacher took this photo of the Meshomasic Hiking Club on July 16, 2022. The club had come for an exploratory walk in the newly acquired Lombardo farm section of the Bush Hill property. Coincidentally, the club had donated generously to the purchase of this property, now with its own parking area at 871 Hillstown Road. Come out for a walk!
JUL 2022	36a. Steven Kornfeld took the photo of hikers at Center Springs Park, a 1.25-mile walk on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
JUL 2022	36b. Cynthia Barlow co-led the 2.5-mile hike at Risley Park and took this photo of hikers, Sunday, June 5, 2022.
JUN 2022	35a. Daryl Carpenter took this photo, "Eastern Kingbird" during the Land Trust birdwatcher walk on Sunday May first. Thanks to Jean DiBenedetto for leading the walk.
JUN 2022	35b. Volunteer Margie Partney took this photo, "First Pears at Bush Hill" on May 27. The photo shows both blossoms and tiny pears. We have planted several trees between the Story Trail and farm pond. So far, they are doing well.
MAY 2022	34a. Land Trust Board member Bill Doak took this photo on Friday, April 15, at Riverpoint Park, where neighbor Toshiko Uchino inspired the planting of four Japanese cherry trees. Volunteers, pictured, left to right, Toshiko, Steve Long, Gail Gretzmacher, Jean DiBennedetto, Ako Hiratsuka, Misawa Carter.
MAY 2022	34b. Gail Gretzmacher took this photo montage on Saturday, April 16. She says, "Thank you, team, for giving your Saturday morning to install the needed wet ground crossings (3 of them) around the pond.The results are great and will allow hikers to have a better crossing. There is still more trail work to better level the path but this effort was the significant one." Team: Jon (lead designer), Rob R, Rob L, Johnny, Dan (thanks for transporting wood and making the few extra board cuts needed), and Gail.
APR 2022	33a. Emmet Gemme photographed this robin on March 18, 2022 -- "It was 'Robin Day' at Bush Hill Farm".
APR 2022	33b. Joe Svelnys photographed this "feathered friend," another robin at Bush Hill farm on March 16, 2022.
MAR 2022	32a. Pussy willows at Bush Hill farm by Land Trust member Cynthia Barlow. "The sun had just come out at the farm pond on Saturday, February 19, lighting up the pussy willows. Minutes later, a snow squall came through. A dramatic day."
MAR 2022	32b. Snowy owl at former orchard, Bush Hill farm by member Jean DiBenedetto, "A brief visit from this beauty, it was a rare treat to see it so far inland."
FEB 2022	31a. Alan Hurst took this picture, and Glenda Rose of the Meshomasic Hiking Club sent it to us. Members of the club paused in their hike on Saturday, January 15. "It was 9 degrees but the wind had died down and the sun was out so it was lovely!" Pictured are: left to right, Standing, Polly Silva and Amy Stone; Seated, Connie Rokicki and Glenda Rose. Absent from the photo were Jack D. Morris (exploring) and Alan Hurst (photographer).
FEB 2022	31b. Life member and volunteer Jon Mercier took this photo on January 10. "A very frozen Gretz Pond on the Bush Hill Preserve here in Manchester CT. Been working to create a bunch of new trails. Snow and frozen ground will slow us down for a bit." Thanks, Jon, and all the volunteers. Gretz Pond is part of the former 102-acre Lombardo Farm that the Land Trust acquired in 2021 and added to the Bush Hill Preserve.
JAN 2022	30. Member and volunteer Jean DiBenedetto and her husband, Michael (pictured), enjoyed a chilly walk in the Bush Hill property on December 19, 2021. The new Violet Trail is being created: It leads to Gresk Pond in the recently acquired Lombardo Farm, now a part of the 177.5-acre Bush Hill Preserve. Thanks, Jean, for the photos.
DEC 2021	29.  Photo by Jackie Heintz at the pond at Bush Hill farm. Jackie and some fellow church members hosted a "poetry walk" at the farm. The group walked from the pavilion to the pond, stopping to read poems at the Story Trail, chestnut garden, red barn, and pond. The Land Trust welcomes visitors.
NOV 2021	28a.  "A frog enjoying this wonderfully preserved pond for wildlife." Photo taken by Gail Gretzmacher.
NOV 2021	28b.  "A photo I took last Saturday, October 9, from the top of the hill above the red barn. What a great place to see the sunrise!" Photo taken by Jean DiBenedetto.
OCT 2021	27.  Member June Pinkin took this picture on Saturday, September 11, 2021, when she was dropping off some tag sale items at the cider barn at our Bush Hill Preserve in Manchester. That's life member and volunteer John Bolduc finishing up the sign he created for the barn.
SEP 2021	26a.  Frank Belknap took this photo of Indian Pipe, also known as Ghost Pipe, at our Pavan property, off Bush Hill Road. CT Botanical Society says, "Indian Pipe -- Monotropa uniflora L. -- has no chlorophyll, so it cannot obtain energy from sunlight. Instead, it gets nutrients from fungi in the soil."
SEP 2021	26b.  Member Jean DiBenedetto took this Eastern Phoebe photo at our Bush Hill farm. She has been volunteering at the farm, working to remove invasive species, thereby improving habitat and food supply for our birds.
AUG 2021	25.  August photo of month by Land Trust member Becky Smith. She calls this a two-season photo at the Bush Hill Preserve with apple blossoms, and a depiction of Frosty the Snowman on a hay bale. Becky took the picture May 1, 2021.
JUL 2021	24.  Steven Kornfeld took this photo of his family at the new Story Trail at Bush Hill farm, on May 6, 2021. His wife and grandchildren explored the trail and read the current book, "Over in the Meadow."
JUN 2021	23a.  By Mark Abraitis. During May, Mark took photos of the grand opening of the Story Trail, which attracted many families, and of the apple blossoms.
JUN 2021	23b.  By Mark Abraitis. During May, Mark took photos of the grand opening of the Story Trail, which attracted many families, and of the apple blossoms.
MAY 2021	22.  Board member Jeff Sullivan took this picture and also organized the work party at the Trust's cider barn at 330 Bush Hill Road, Manchester. 14 volunteers pitched in to improve the barn siding and reorganize the interior.
APR 2021	21.  Frog Corner at the Land Trust's Bush Hill Preserve, with Golden Retrievers Grant, Tori, and Andy. March 9 photo by Land Trust life member, Sandra Lok. "Walking the trails at Bush Hill Farm is a treat for the mind, body and soul. One can't help but smile at the beauty of it all."
MAR 2021	20.  Paul Ofria took this picture at our February 6, 2021 Informational Walk on the Lombardo property, which we are fundraising to buy. We walked from our Bush Hill farm along snowy roads to the Lombardo farm.
MAR 2021	20a.  Martin Ritter took this picture at Bush Hill farm. "What I like about the property: variety of terrain (wooded and open, and of course the pond), hilly and level, ease of access, potential to greatly increase size with acquisition of Lombardo Farm."
FEB 2021	19.  30+ years ago at the Botti Farm. Clockwise from left: • c. 1988 peach trees and a neighbor's horse; • farm pond with peach trees; • summer fun, a toy boat on the pond; • Gerri Botti, who lent these family pictures to the Land Trust; he still lives next to the property and volunteers to mow the fields; • c. 1990 winter fun. For these and other Bush Hill photos, please click here.
JAN 2021	18.  Karen Long is our January photo of the month winner. Karen and her family enjoy walking from the Hills Street neighborhood to Buckland Pond's loop trail, but with no sidewalks on Hills Street, there's potential risk for pedestrians. Karen asked the Land Trust about creating a walking path through this 2.74-acre property. With the help of Land Trust volunteers, the trail now provides safe access from Hills Street to Barnwood Road, which leads to Hillstown Road and the Buckland Pond property with its loop trail. Thanks, Karen, for the pictures and for the great idea to build a trail on this property.
DEC 2020	17.  Thanks to Land Trust board member Kwasi Ntem-Mensah, for this panoramic photo, dusk at Bush Hill farm. "I enjoy this farm property and have been working with the Land Trust to promote the purchase of the nearby Lombardo farm."
DEC 2020	17a.  Cub Scouts earn their "Duty to Country" badge at Bush Hill farm on Sunday, November 8. Thanks to these energetic Scouts and their dedicated leaders! They are working at "Frog Corner." Thanks also to Scout Leader and Land Trust neighbor, Marie Keith, for these great photos. "Our Scouts enjoy hiking on the farm trails, and wanted to help by working on this project."
NOV 2020	16.  Documenting the severe drought, Land Trust member Gene DeJoannis, took these photos at a parched Salter's Pond, where he routinely picks up bags and bags of litter.
OCT 2020	15.  Bagpipers at our Bush Hill Farm property, photo by Brad Palmer on September 19, 2020. "The bagpipe band has been practicing on Thursday evenings at the pavilion on our farm property. We welcome them to use the property, and our tag sale shoppers were delighted to see them at the cider barn."
OCT 2020	15a.  "Mike Beaulieu photographed this deer at our Bush Hill property, at the farm pond. Mike said, "This morning on my journey..."
SEP 2020	14.  Misty morning at Lydall Woods, by life member Cynthia Barlow, who says, "The cul-de-sac at the end of Bridle Path Lane has been owned by the Land Trust since 1986, among the 30 acres donated by Jack Davis, the condominium developer. The area is home to deer, rabbits, squirrels, and many varieties of birds. The property is maintained by the condo association."
AUG 2020	13.  By Land Trust member Doug MacGillvary, taken July 25, 2020: "Nice early walk at the Bush Hill farm on July 25, 2020 and saw these two Rose of Sharon bushes -- the pink blossoms are on one of the bushes I planted when we completed the pavilion, and the shrub with the white blossoms was in the yard of the farm house."
JUL 2020	12.  By Land Trust board member Frank Belknap, taken June 21, 2020, at the Purdy property: "On an end-of-day walk, we saw 3 deer, this one spent 5-8 minutes checking us out as we both slowly walked toward each other. Notice that the deer is feeding on a grassy space in the forest. Five years ago it was an impassable 7,000 square foot stand of invasive, impenetrable knotweed. After I took over Purdy as a steward, and wanting to make it a better place with improved habitat, I worked on removing knoweed. This is the result."
JUN 2020	11.  From Joanne Britton, Land Trust member and neighbor of the Land Trust's farm property on Bush Hill Road. Joanne sent this picture of a frog, and says, "Nearing sunset, my favorite time of day for a ramble on the farm."
MAY 2020	10.  Joe Svelnys took this photo of a robin in its nest at Bush Hill farm, where he enjoys the trails during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MAY 2020	10a.  Susan Barlow took this photo at Risley park -- the trout lily, also called the dog's tooth violet -- it's a small lily that grows in colonies of 12 to 100 plants near water; the leaves are speckled like trout; the lilies bloom for a short while in April and May and then disappear, leaves and all.
APR 2020	9.  Nesting dove at our Bush Hill farm. Photographer and Trust voluneteer Doug MacGillvary said, "After trimming a mountain of vines and dead limbs out of one of the apple tress at the farm, look what I discovered. It's hard to believe that she never left the nest with all of the commotion going on around her. The nest is just a little above eye level."
APR 2020	9a.  Vicky Bullock took this photo of Kevin Jones on the Blue Trail at Risley; Kevin is pointing out the Manchester Land Conservation Trust trail sign.
MAR 2020	8. By Joe Svelnys. My first time visiting the Bush Hill property I was pleasantly surprised. The trails were clearly marked, clean, and educational with plaques on several trees. As an amateur nature photographer I especially enjoyed many of the trees on the property and loved that I was able to isolate a great many of them in images; the handful of benches and small pond were also deeply appreciated. A wonderful little lesser-known gem of Manchester. Perhaps one day I'll be lucky enough to shoot astro-photography there.
JAN 2020	7. By MLCT member Melissa Little. "Risley Pond. I never tire of the beauty winter offers in the early morning. The ray of sunlight as it glides over the water is simply calming and reassuring."
DEC 2019	6.5. Bill Dillane took this photo at the Land Trust's Case Parklet, as one of the Trust's history hikes was getting underway. Bill participated in the hike, as well as taking pictures.
NOV 2019	6. Board member Colin McNamara took this picture at the Land Trust's free hayride event on Saturday, October 19, at the farm property on Bush Hill Road, Manchester. Volunteers and farm steward Brad Palmer, pictured in the driver's seat, thank the Botticello family for lending their tractor and hay wagon. The area was farmed by the Botti family, beginning around 1914.
OCT 2019	5. Young brush-clearing crew at the Bush Hill farm pond; left to right: Tyler Levitt, Andrew Pryce, Andrew Fogerty, Vasean Olavse, photo by Brad Palmer; crew chief John Hovey not shown. Thanks to ALL! To enjoy the farm trails, park at 330 Bush Hill Road, Manchester. Here's a map: manchesterlandtrust.org/flyers/FarmMapTriFold9.6.17.pdf. Photo of the Month Coordinator Kwasi Ntem-Mensah comments: "These fine four could have chosen to be anywhere. They rather chose to dedicate their time to clearing brush on the trails and meadow. Thank you guys"
AUG 2019	4. Land Trust member Cynthia Barlow took this picture 8/24/19 at Risley. "A great Land Trust property, with hiking trails, pond, and meadow. Pictured are Land Trust volunteers Doug MacGillvary and Susan Barlow.
JUN 2019	3. "Nature has a way of reminding us to "take it slow at times." One of our hardworking stewards, Doug MacGillvary, came across this beauty of that reminder while working on the farm trail at our property at 330 Bush Hill Rd. June, 2019.
MAY 2019	2. Photographer Stacey Zackin took these photos at the Land Trust's hike on March 30, 2019. The hike included the Land Trust's Case Parklet property and its Upper Case Pond property. "We chose this photo to show how we can come together to champion for a worthy cause irrespective of age."
MAR 2019	1. Our first Land Trust photo of the month is by Dermot Jones of Vernon, who lives near Risley Park, and is the Land Trust's treasurer. Dermot says, "I took this photo while walking my dogs at Risley. Spring is here. This is sap running from the broken branch. Marvelous."
(intro)	0. Introductory Photo #0. Upper Case Pond, taken July 11, 2015, by Susan Barlow. "The Trust's Case Pond property is very quiet and peaceful, and also quite near the Birch Mt. Rd. parking lot if you don't have time for a long hike."
(intro)	0a. Introductory Photo #0a. Upper Case Pond, taken July 11, 2015, by Susan Barlow. "This is simply a beautiful and restful spot!"