Joey Priola Wilderness Photography

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Adirondacks & Upstate NY 240 images Created 25 Oct 2018

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  • Beautiful sunset light makes the snowy winter landscape come alive. The solitude and dramatic beauty of winter makes it my favorite time of year to explore the mountains. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    My Fingers Hurt
  • I've always been fascinated by loons. With their unmistakable call and feather pattern and haunting red eyes, they no doubt are an icon of the Adirondack wilderness. While out for an early autumn paddle, we watched two loons repeatedly dive and rise as they often do, when we noticed that one of them seemed to have something in its mouth. Assuming it was just a stick or weeds, I almost didn't even bother lifting my camera. Thank goodness I did, though, because what I saw through the viewfinder was one of the coolest things I've ever seen in the wild. The loon had caught a small catfish , and I was absolutely thrilled to be able to get this shot before the fish became lunch. Do you notice the white around the loons mouth? That's the beginning stages of the loon molting to its winter feathers.
    Catch of the Day
  • Fog and foliage is one of the most mesmerizing combinations for photography. As the fog mingled with the precipitous mountains on this autumn morning, I was fortunate to have a flock of geese fly through the mist just as I pressed the shutter, adding a special sense of scale and drama to the already mystical scene.
    Fall or Nothing at All
  • One of the best things about owning a canoe? Still being able to explore the wilderness when you bust your ankle. A morning paddle took me out to a rocky little island in the middle of a calm pond, where I thankfully was able to hobble around enough to find this little clutch of grass and flowers nestled in the rocks, with my canoe beached in the distance. Adirondack Park, New York.
    Morningtide
  • There's nothing quite like an evening drive down lonely country roads, with the windows down and some classic rock pumping, to make you feel alive. Stopping at a beautiful destination for the sunset doesn't hurt either, and on this warm August evening my lingering thoughts about work and responsibilities melted away as I watched the sunset glow hang in the humid air and bring life to the just-bloomed sunflowers that surrounded me.
    Simple Times are the Best Times
  • Fallen leaves decorate a river shoreline and intermingle with beautifully rounded stones on a drizzly autumn day. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Autumn Spread
  • Fourth of July fireworks and the full "Buck Moon" light up the sky and reflect in the calm waters of Great Sacandaga Lake. Adirondack Park, New York.
    Celestial Fireworks
  • Snow-covered trees frame a distant mountain on a cold and moody evening in the Adirondack Mountains.
    The Road That I Must Choose
  • On a beautiful afternoon in the Adirondacks, the sun hit spray from a waterfall just right to cause a rainbow to form above a boulder that glittered like gold.
    Gold Under the Rainbow
  • A young buck deftly crosses a river in the Adirondacks. Seeing wildlife while out for a hike is always a treat, especially in such a beautiful setting.
    Near and Deer
  • A great blue heron regally poses along the edge of a marsh on a beautiful afternoon.
    King of the Marsh
  • Two small islands appear through thick fog and reflect in a still lake on a late-fall morning. Even after the colorful leaves of autumn drop and fade, there's still much beauty to be seen and photographed in the wilderness. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    An Autumn Haunting
  • Spectacular fall foliage blankets the mountainsides surrounding Indian Lake.  The many incredible paddling and hiking options at Indian Lake quickly made this one of our favorite areas of the Adirondacks.
    The Scenic Route
  • Vibrant ferns and flowers mingle in the forest undergrowth, signaling the arrival of spring. Adirondack Mountains, NY.
    Friends of the Forest
  • Ice begins to form around a waterfall in the Adirondacks under a beautiful sunset sky.
    Final Flow
  • A loon gracefully glides across a still Adirondack pond on a calm summer morning. I purposely underexposed this image to put the focus on the beautiful shape and feather patterns of the loon.
    Out From the Shadows
  • Warm sunset light and greenery on the trees gave this early September evening a summer feel, but a chill in the air that required a flannel and winter hat be worn for the sunset paddle made it clear that autumn was just around the corner. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    There's Something About a Boat
  • A house finch that was busy gathering twigs to build its nest paused just long enough for me to snap this photo.
    Finch Friend
  • Delicate hoar frost coats the branches of a tree on a clear and chilly winter morning in the Adirondacks. Hoar frost forms when water vapor in the air comes into contact with a solid surface (like a tree branch) that is already below the freezing point.
    Winter Delicacy
  • Low-angled evening light struck the snowy landscape at just the right angle to allow a little evergreen sapling to project a shadow much larger than the tree itself. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Projecting Confidence
  • Self-portrait from a rocky ledge overlooking pure autumn wilderness in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Wide-Eyed Wilderness
  • A band of post-sunset color adds a touch of vibrancy to the snowy and moody winter mountain landscape. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    The Thrill of Exploration
  • Calm, foggy mornings are the perfect time to be out in a canoe, and sometimes the water is so still it feels like you're floating in a giant mirror. Adirondack Park, New York.
    Morning Mirror
  • After longing to see an owl in the wild all winter, my wife somehow spotted this one along the roadside as we drove back to a cabin. Fortunately it hung around long enough for us to get back and grab my camera, and we watched this beautiful creature from a distance as I waited for it to eventually cast its gaze on us and captured the photo seen here. It was worth the wait! Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Elusive Beauty
  • Winter transforms the shore of Lake Ontario into a fantasyland of snow and ice, which was accentuated on this frigid evening by a beautiful sunset. Chimney Bluffs State Park, New York.
    Vortex
  • Snow-caked trees enjoy the sunset as Mount Colden towers over the valley in the distance. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Marshmallow World
  • A lone maple tree stands out from its evergreen friends on a small island in Indian Lake on a perfect autumn afternoon.
    Stand out From the Crowd
  • In bodies of water across the Adirondacks, predators and prey go to battle in the shadows each and every day. These interactions are often unseen, but when the dynamic between the hunter and the hunted reveals itself, it's equal parts captivating and grizzly. On a spring morning in the Adirondacks, we patiently watched a great blue heron stalk something. We figured it must be after fish, since that's the primary component of a heron's diet, but after it lunged into the brush we were shocked to see it come away with a mouse. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    The Hunted
  • Buttermilk Falls in Long Lake looks as smooth as its name on a winter afternoon after a fresh snowfall. The short hike to the falls is always a great leg stretcher when passing through the area, and is a wonderful destination in its own right no matter the season. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Call Me Buttah
  • A maple tree near Heart Lake in all its autumn glory. An Adirondack Mountain Club volunteer that I met while making this image told me that she knew someone that had been coming to the campground every autumn for 30 years, who used this tree as a gauge for autumn's progress. The gauge was reading "Peak" on this October morning!
    The Tree
  • A loon couple looks for lunch in a lake ringed by beautiful fall foliage in the Adirondack Mountains. If you look closely you'll see some white around the mouth of each loon, which signals the beginning stages of molting to their winter feathers.
    Loon Swoon
  • The Adirondacks in winter is quite possibly my personal favorite photography subject. In particular,  the gnarled and hardy evergreens that occupy tree line and the beginning of the alpine zone make my heart pound and creativity flow unlike anything else found in nature when they become covered with snow in the depths of winter. After climbing the surprisingly deserted trail to the summit of Cascade, I was greeted with a windchill that approached -30 degrees Fahrenheit, and a fantasy-land of pure winter magic unlike anything I had seen before. The challenging weather conditions only added to the experience and made it that much more memorable, and as the sun dipped below the distant mountains and the most intense post-sunset glow I've ever witnessed emanated through the sky, I raced around like a madman capturing as many photos as I could. After the sky shifted from orange, to pink, to blue, to black, I began my descent down the dark and lonely trail, reveling in the feeling of pure ecstasy that only comes from the wilderness and doing what you love most in the world.
    Ecstasy
  • A beautiful cedar waxwing about to enjoy a berry for breakfast.<br />
<br />
Photo taken by Amanda Priola
    Breakfast Bounty
  • There's nothing like exploring the High Peaks after a snowstorm. After photographing the sunset from just below the summit of Marcy, descending into the sanctuary of the forest was a welcome escape from the hostile, wind-raked alpine zone. Soft moonlight illuminated the snowy evergreens with delicate light, and my descent of the mountain took much longer than it should have as I stopped often to attempt to capture the beauty. I passed this stand of evergreens on my way to the summit earlier in the day, and immediately became enraptured by the large tree on the left of this photo, as I had never before seen a tree caked with so much snow. The light from the moon was just strong enough to illuminate the snowy trees, and a slight halo in the thin fog around the moon added a final touch of etherealness. Knowing that I was the only person still out on the mountain made this moment all the more special, and helped to make the experience one of the most memorable ones I've had in these mountains. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    To the Heavens
  • Camping on our own private island on an unseasonably warm autumn day during peak foliage instantly became our all-time favorite camping trip. Indian Lake Islands, Adirondacks.
    High on Life
  • "Bobby" rests on the banks of a peaceful pond at sunrise on a perfect summer morning. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Keep Calm & Canoe On
  • Beautiful sunset light makes the snowy winter landscape come alive. The solitude and dramatic beauty of winter makes it my favorite time of year to explore the mountains. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Higher and Higher
  • Beautiful autumn foliage blankets a mountainside in the Adirondack High Peaks as the morning fog breaks just enough to allow the rising sun to bathe the landscape in warm light.
    Patience
  • Puffy clouds reflect in the perfectly calm waters of a lovely Adirondack pond.
    Up is Down
  • Intense sunset light illuminates the snowy mountains on a cold winter day. Light like this is incredibly fleeting, but witnessing the snowy landscape come to life while on a deserted summit makes the time and effort required to experience and photograph these special moments oh so worth it. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Always Worth It
  • Whiteface Mountain rises up from the valley into the clouds, as seen from below the summit of Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Layers of Whiteface
  • Taking in the view of autumn colors spread out below the snow-capped summit of Algonquin Peak, as morning fog drifts off the surface of a lake on a cold October morning at sunrise. As hard as it can be to extract myself from the warm cocoon of my sleeping bag on cold mornings such as this one, viewing and photographing the sunrise always makes it more than worth it. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Soak It In
  • Lily pads and reeds rest on the surface of a calm pond on a misty summer morning. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Reunited
  • After a morning of dense fog and clouds, the sun broke out just in time to sit down and enjoy the view.
    Good Morning Life
  • The setting sun broke through the clouds just enough to bring the snowy landscape to life. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Renewal
  • A long exposure captured the swirling motion of water and foam at the base of a small cascade tucked away in the forest near Lake George. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Spring Revelry
  • Peak autumn foliage complements a colorful sunrise on a rocky summit in the Adirondacks.
    Red October
  • Beautiful cascades on a stream in the Southern Adirondacks.
    Tumble Down the Mountain
  • Snowy evergreens blanket the slopes of Mount Marcy on a perfect winter day. The harsh and challenging conditions, relative solitude, and otherworldly landscape makes winter by far my favorite season to head to the high mountains. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    The Journey Ahead
  • Stars and the Milky Way fill the sky on a clear and still night of backcountry canoe camping on a wild Adirondack pond.
    Voyage to the Unknown
  • Enjoying a beautiful Adirondack autumn view on a perfect sunny day.
    Sunshine Enough to Spread
  • A rocky little island reflects in a still pond before sunrise on a late-summer morning. Adirondack Park, New York.
    First Blush
  • Even after the leaves have fallen from the trees, there is still beauty to be found in the autumn forest. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    After the Fall
  • Otherworldly ice formations adorn the boulders surrounding a waterfall on the Ausable River. Adirondacks, New York.
    Haunting Beauty
  • Fiery sunset light sets krummholz (a German word meaning "crooked wood" that's used to describe stunted, windblown trees) coated in rime ice ablaze. Adirondack High Peaks, New York
    Flamethrower
  • A canoe rests on the shore of a rocky island in the Adirondacks on a beautiful summer day.
    Land Ho
  • Partly cloudy days, when the fall forest seems to glow from the sunlight filtering through the clouds, are perfect for a stroll in the woods. Can you spot the hiker out for a morning walk in this photo?
    I Spy
  • Bluebird days following a big snowfall don't happen nearly as often as I wish they could in winter, but it's always a special treat to tramp through the fresh and fluffy snow when the conditions align. Adirondack Park, New York.
    Snowshine
  • Red clover wildflowers enjoy a beautiful sunset over Great Sacandaga Lake in the distance. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Sacandaga Summer
  • Vibrant autumn colors spread out below the snow-capped summit of Algonquin Peak, as morning fog drifts off the surface of a lake on a cold October morning at sunrise. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Kaleidoscope
  • When their haunting call floats across the surface of a wild lake on a still summer morning, my awe and appreciation of the Adirondacks is never greater.
    Adirondack Icon
  • Snowy evergreens on the summit of Cascade bask in an incredible post-sunset glow. The stunning beauty of the mountains on this frigid winter day was made all the more memorable by the frigid -30 degree windchill that the evergreens and I endured as we took in the most beautiful winter sunset I've ever seen. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Transcendence
  • Clouds reflect in a quiet pond while out for a peaceful evening paddle. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Moment of Reflection
  • A wall of fog on Indian Lake catches the morning sunlight as the tips of distant mountains peek above the fog.
    Take a Peep
  • Beautiful blue ice hangs from the cliff beside the last unfrozen veils of Rainbow Falls. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    When Rainbows Freeze
  • Frost coats flaming red berry bushes on a mountain summit as the first snow of the season graces the top of Algonquin Peak on a cold October dawn. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Fire on the Mountain
  • Enjoying a view over the calm waters of an Adirondack lake on a sunny summer morning.
    No Days Wasted
  • A great blue heron deftly stalks its prey in a pond full of water lilies. I loved how its foot that's up in the air reflected in the water below. Adirondack Mountains, NY.
    Modern-Day Dinosaur
  • Freshly fallen autumn leaves gather around exposed tree roots in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Life Cycle
  • The alpine zone of the Adirondack High Peaks is one of the most unique geographic zones in New York state. Home to rare and fragile alpine plants, not to mention some unforgettable views, the high mountain summits reward hikers in many ways. While beautiful year-round, there's something extra special about the alpine zone in winter. Constantly evolving based on snow and wind, each trip to this paradise in the sky is filled with surprises in the winter. On this trip to Algonquin, I was intrigued by patterns in the crusty snow that reminded me of the swirling lines of a fingerprint, as if mother nature was leaving her signature on her winter handiwork. Adirondack High Peaks, NY.
    Winter's Fingerprint
  • Beautiful fall foliage reflects in Heart Lake at sunset. Adirondack Mountains, New York
    My Heart is Yours
  • Lily pads and reeds form interesting patterns and lines on the surface of a pond in the Adirondacks.
    In the Weeds
  • Peak autumn foliage spreads out below the snow-capped summit of Algonquin Peak, as morning fog drifts off the surface of a lake on a cold October morning a half hour before sunrise. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Icing On The Cake
  • Evergreens covered in rime ice stand like frozen sentinels at dusk keeping guard of the alpine zone of Algonquin Peak. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Summit Sentinels
  • Bare trees and late autumn color on a mountainside at sunset in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Bare it All
  • Blazing autumn foliage blankets a mountainside in the Adirondack High Peaks.
    Symphony of Color
  • I was afraid that the high winds on this frigid evening would blow over my camera while taking this self-portrait, which was how my first camera met its demise in Shenandoah National Park in 2014, but thankfully my current set-up made it through this unforgettable sunset unscathed. Adirondack High Peaks, NY.
    Mountain Rules
  • Heading out for a sunrise paddle on a calm Adirondack pond is the perfect beginning to a summer day.
    Morning Calm
  • Fog glides over the treetops on a cold October morning in the Adirondacks.
    Hover
  • Sometimes a photograph comes to fruition at the spur of the moment, with little to no planning or previsualization. Other times, however, much preparation and just the right circumstances are required for a vision to become reality. This photo of sunset from the snowy alpine zone below the summit of Mount Marcy falls squarely into the latter category, as I had been wanting to make this image for the past three winters before everything came together in early March 2020. After the Adirondacks got covered in 3 feet of snow from possibly the last snow storm of the season, I set off from the Adirondack Loj hopeful that I would finally be able to make the images that I had long sought. The trail conditions were fantastic, as other hikers and skiers had thankfully packed the powder down the previous day. As I gradually crept closer to the summit, my excitement grew as I realized that I'd finally have a chance to capture the photo that I sought for so long. I arrived at the summit area later than I had hoped, as I stopped often en route to the summit to photograph the snowy paradise that I hiked through. The quiet serenity of the forest was abruptly replaced by the howling winds of the alpine zone, and I searched out some compositions while struggling to stay warm. As the sun went down and the landscape was bathed in soft light, the beauty of the scene and the fact that I was capturing the photos that I had sought for so long made me forget about the cold and wind and the long hike out in the darkness. As the sky began to darken and I packed up for the journey down the mountain, I took one last look towards the summit of Marcy, and it dawned on me that in that moment, I was the highest  person in the state. In elevation, as well as spirit. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Above All Else
  • Fog rolls over the Adirondack Mountains at dawn on a chilly fall morning.
    Autumn Closing In
  • Wind-carved snow and trees covered in rime ice created a magical winter scene near the summit of Algonquin Peak, on one of those rare winter days where the sun shines so bright and the air is so still that it makes you wish that spring would never come. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Euphoria
  • Taking in the vibrant early summer greenery en route to Peaked Mountain. Adirondacks, New York.
    All Things That Are Good
  • It’s about the journey, not the destination. This well-worn saying can be applied to almost any context, but may hold most true when used in regards to climbing mountains. The sense of achievement, awe, and wonder gained from moving your being to a mountain summit rivals any other human activity or pursuit in terms of sheer intensity and emotion. Yet mountains are about so much more than just reaching the summit. The route to and from the apex of these wilderness temples is filled with challenges that crescendo with elevation gained, and beautiful nooks and crannies of the forest that the hurried hiker can easily blow right past. I was reminded of all of this on a winter trek into the High Peaks, when I took a break while clambering along Phelps Brook. I had been in a hurry to put in miles up to this point, but as I took a breather I discovered that in my haste to reach loftier destinations, I had nearly blown right by what would end up being the most beautiful thing I saw all day. Fresh snow and ice ringed the cascading brook that I had been absentmindedly hiking next to, and a stillness that can only be found in the winter forest permeated the air. I sat and watched and listened to the water flow and the ice crack for a long while, until the chill and mist rising from the brook made me get moving again. I hiked the rest of the day with new eyes and a new mindset, and reveled in each step of the journey. Adirondack High Peaks, New York
    The Journey
  • Peak autumn foliage spreads out below the snow-capped summit of Algonquin Peak, as morning fog drifts off the surface of a lake on a cold October morning a half hour before sunrise. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Ephemeral
  • A moody winter sunset from the icy banks of the Ausable River. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Dramatic Flare
  • Out for an afternoon paddle on Indian Lake on a perfect autumn day.
    On the Hunt
  • The moon shines in the clear winter sky and illuminates snowy evergreens below the summit of Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Sanctuary
  • Vibrant autumn colors pop along the banks of a creek in the Hoffman Notch Wilderness. The scenery and solitude that I found in this corner of the Adirondacks, even on a holiday weekend, was a pleasant surprise after deciding to brave the wet, rainy weather on this October afternoon.
    Birch Haven
  • Warm sunset light contrasts with frigid temperatures and illuminates snow-covered evergreens and distant mountains. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Closing Time
  • A couple enjoys an afternoon paddle on a warm September day that looked like autumn but felt like summer. Indian Lake, New York.
    Second Summer
  • Striking Blue Flag flowers add a splash of vibrant color to the green of a marsh in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Subtle Beauty of Spring
  • Soft sunset light spreads across the sky and adds some warmth to the snowy winter mountains. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    A Winter Friend
  • A puff of morning fog rises from Heart Lake and catches the dawn light, as the surrounding mountains burst with autumn color. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    These Mountains are my Home
  • The Adirondack Mountains hold countless waterfalls, wild streams and cascades just waiting to be explored.
    Hidden Gems
  • Beautiful, glowing, and warm sunset light contrasts with snowy evergreens on a frigid winter day. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Floating in Fire
  • A juvenile red-tailed hawk perched atop a tree fluffs up its feathers.
    All Fluffed Up
  • Self-portrait from a craggy Adirondack summit while waiting for the light and warmth of morning to come.
    Waiting For The Eastern Glow
  • Bizarre, otherworldly details in the blue ice formed from the spray of Rainbow Falls take on the form of aliens and ghouls. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Invasion
  • One of my favorite parts of camping with my dad is chatting by the fire, often with a martini in hand, after an exciting day in the woods. While any topic of conversation is enjoyable, some of the most entertaining and memorable stories have been tales from my dad's youth working as a park ranger at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, NY.<br />
<br />
Green Lake and its neighbor, Round Lake, are both meromictic lakes, which means that their surface and bottom waters don't mix like most lakes do in the fall and spring. The fact that there are only about 20 meromictic lakes in North America makes Green Lake special, and its made even more unique by the fact that it possesses an incredible blue-green color that seems out of place in Upstate NY and more likely to be found in the tropics. This color comes from the high presence of minerals in the water that seeps through the surrounding bedrock and into the lake. Similar to the turquoise-colored glacial lakes that can be found in the Canadian Rockies and other parts of the world, Green Lake shimmers in otherworldly hues when sunlight hits the water. Green Lakes State Park, New York.
    Reminiscing
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