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The primary attraction of the small sanctuary is a mile-long
stretch of dirt road flanked by 10- to 15-foot mountain laurel
bushes. The northern end of the road is mostly under tree cover,
making light conditions poor for photography. For better light,
proceed about a half mile into the park where the forest opens
up.
Peak blooming season is in June. Of the blooms, 99 percent
in the sanctuary are pink or white.
The park looks very New England. Stone walls. Wooden benches.
Large oaks and birches with a fern undergrowth. Your two primary
options are to photograph close-ups of the flowers and to shoot
landscapes of the area. The dirt road winding through the blooming
bushes can be well-photographed from many angles.
The sanctuary is not well-known, even in Connecticut. Still,
during peak bloom, weekends can see moderate pedestrian traffic
in the park. Try to come on weekdays for the most quiet, weekends
if you want people in your photos.
Another note about traffic: If the weather has been dry, then
the road can be especially dusty, and any car that meanders
through the area will stir dust into the air that can linger
for some time, thereby diminishing visibility.
The best light condition to shoot in the sanctuary is slightly
overcast. Sunrise and sunset light will be blocked by the trees.
Direct light hits from about mid-morning to late afternoon.
Snow Hill Road turns into Buckley Highway (which is not a highway,
it's still a dirt road) and wanders further into Nipmuck State
Forest, but photo opportunities are limited to some small local
logging scenes and typical New England forest growth.
Other side roads in the area offer some opportunities for classic
rustic images, mostly of old barns, stone walls and wooden fences.
Check out Fenton Road and Rockwell Road, a few minutes further
west along Route 190. Also, a few miles east is Woodstock, where
you can find some great New England churches to photograph in
any season, but especially during fall foliage.
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