Joey Priola Wilderness Photography

  • Prints
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Cabin Services
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
160 images found
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • Out for a late-fall evening paddle on the placid backwaters of a lake in Upstate NY.
    Backwaters
  • 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
  • Shire horses graze in a pasture in front of a pretty red barn at June Farms in Upstate New York.
    Free Rein
  • Beautiful cheery blossom flowers bloom in Upstate New York.
    Porch Times
  • A robin hides out in a blooming cherry tree in Upstate New York.
    Home Range
  • The snowy landscape picks up a brilliant sunset glow high in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Ice in the Veins
  • 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
  • A great blue heron regally poses along the edge of a marsh on a beautiful afternoon.
    King of the Marsh
  • Hardy, snow-covered trees found high up the mountains are one of my favorite winter photography subjects, but what really drew me to this scene was the blanket of clouds on the distant mountains at dusk. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Insulation
  • 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
  • A rocky little island reflects in a still pond before sunrise on a late-summer morning. Adirondack Park, New York.
    First Blush
  • 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
  • Is there a better way to spend a hot summer day than on a pristine and wild Adirondack lake?<br />
<br />
This image was featured in the Adirondack Mountain Club 2021 calendar for the month of July.
    Float Away
  • Fallen leaves decorate a river shoreline and intermingle with beautifully rounded stones on a drizzly autumn day. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Autumn Spread
  • The setting sun broke through the clouds just enough to bring the snowy landscape to life. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Renewal
  • 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
  • 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
  • The Adirondack Mountains hold countless waterfalls, wild streams and cascades just waiting to be explored.
    Hidden Gems
  • My dad snowshoes through a snowy winter forest in the Adirondack High Peaks.
    Bonding
  • The mountains were calling, so we went and got married! Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Unity
  • 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
  • A heron paused from its quest for dinner to say hello as I paddled by on an Adirondack pond.
    Open Wide
  • Soft sunset light spreads across the sky and adds some warmth to the snowy winter mountains. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    A Winter Friend
  • 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
  • Red clover wildflowers enjoy a beautiful sunset over Great Sacandaga Lake in the distance. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Sacandaga Summer
  • Snow-covered boulders in a frozen river take on an abstract form under the soft light of a cloudy day. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Sensuality
  • Indian Falls is a beloved spot in the Adirondack High Peaks, and I have fond memories of laying out on the sun-warmed bedrock next to the falls after my dad and I climbed Mount Marcy together years ago. There would be no lounging around on this day, but the view looking out to the MacIntyre Range from Indian Falls might be even more beautiful in winter.
    Remember When
  • A boater enjoys a view of fireworks popping over the calm waters of Great Sacandaga Lake. Adirondack Park, New York.
    Summer Sendoff
  • Lily pads and reeds rest on the surface of a calm pond on a misty summer morning. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Reunited
  • Bare trees and late autumn color on a mountainside at sunset in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Bare it All
  • 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
  • Krummholz (a German word meaning "crooked wood" that's used to describe stunted, windblown trees) coated in rime ice picks up the delicate post-sunset glow on a frigid summit in the Adirondacks.
    Alpine Ice Garden
  • Towering, whimsical evergreens caked with snow made it feel like I was hiking to Whoville. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Hiking to Whoville
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fresh snow blankets the evergreens along the trail to Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Powder
  • 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
  • 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
  • Soft lights accentuates boulders adorned with snow and ice along the Raquette River. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Cover-up
  • Lush ferns and birch trunks along an Adirondack lake.
    Signs of Summer
  • 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.
    Mesmerized
  • Beautiful blue ice hangs from the cliff beside the last unfrozen veils of Rainbow Falls. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    When Rainbows Freeze
  • A playful deer strikes a pose in a meadow in the Adirondacks.
    Tee-Hee
  • A house finch that was busy gathering twigs to build its nest paused just long enough for me to snap this photo.
    Finch Friend
  • A juvenile red-tailed hawk perched atop a tree fluffs up its feathers.
    All Fluffed Up
  • 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
  • Enjoying the view from a snowy mountain summit in the Adirondacks.
    New Places
  • The snowy summit of Whiteface Mountain barely pokes above the clouds at dusk. The pink glow in the sky is known as the "Belt of Venus" and is commonly seen on clear days before sunrise and after sunset. It appears 10-20 degrees above the horizon on top of the Earth's dark blue shadow that's found just above the horizon, and the crisp low humidity days of winter seem to make this phenomenon appear stronger than other times of the year. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Island in the Sky
  • On clear and cold winter days after a fresh snowfall, nothing is more fun to me than tramping through the snowy mountains seeking out the beauty of winter. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Tramping Through the Snow
  • 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
  • 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
  • A pretty sunset caps off a perfect summer day at Great Sacandaga Lake. Adirondack Park, New York.
    Boat Rides and Sunsets
  • Striking Blue Flag flowers add a splash of vibrant color to the green of a marsh in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Subtle Beauty of Spring
  • 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
  • Freshly fallen maple leaves rest on a piece of birch bark in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Treasures of the Forest
  • A frog floats on the surface of Thirteenth Lake in the Adirondacks on a sunny summer morning.
    Whatcha Doin' In My Waters?
  • The alpine zone of the Adirondack High Peaks turns into a strange, beautiful, and often inhospitable land in winter. After climbing Algonquin Peak on an atypically sunny and calm day, I spent hours on the summit enjoying and photographing the wind-carved snow drifts and evergreens coated in rime ice.
    Top it Off
  • Lush greenery, cool blue lakes, and long days begging to be filled with adventure are hallmarks of an Adirondack summer.
    Adirondack Summer
  • A beautiful white egret spreads its wings and takes flight as a great blue heron lurks in the marsh grasses below.
    Creepin'
  • Towering Mount Marcy pokes through the clouds and catches the warm light of sunset. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Layers of Marcy
  • Skiers hoof their way to some backcountry turns in the Adirondacks. Watching them whiz down the mountain as I trudged along made me wish I could replace my snowshoes with some skis!
    Summit Reward
  • Amanda and Maggie take a breather and enjoy the view of Indian Lake from our island campsite on a perfect fall day.
    A Girl's Best Friend
  • 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
  • Lily pads and reeds form interesting patterns and lines on the surface of a pond in the Adirondacks.
    In the Weeds
  • A beautiful Painted Trillium signals the arrival of spring. Adirondack Park, New York.
    Delicate Beauty
  • Bright red foliage frames a rushing river after an October rainstorm.
    Red Oak Rush
  • The setting sun briefly broke through the clouds just long enough to light up the fiery red marsh grasses and distant trees in beautiful light.
    Fire Light
  • Snowy evergreens frame a distant Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondack High Peaks on a pristine winter evening.
    Where All the Fun Is
  • While out for a springtime hike, a splashing sound coming from the water caught our attention. To our pleasant surprise, we saw a group of river rats , or muskrats, frolicking in the water, and the one pictured here swam right up to us and paused, as if it was posing for the picture.
    River Rat
  • Snow-covered trees frame a distant mountain on a cold and moody evening in the Adirondack Mountains.
    The Road That I Must Choose
  • Even as fall foliage reaches its peak at Whiteface Mountain, the snowcapped summit portends that it won't be long until the reds and oranges of fall are replaced with winter's white. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Won't be Long
  • Soft moonlight illuminates snowy evergreens on a clear and starry winter night. There are few moments in nature as peaceful as those spent in the lonely, snowy mountains after dark. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Soothe the Soul
  • An intimate view of a toad seeking refuge in a hole in the face of a boulder. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Is it Safe to Come Out?
  • A beautiful winter sunset from the windblown slopes of Mount Marcy, looking west towards Algonquin. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Leaders of the Pack
  • An evergreen branch coated in rime ice reaches out like the frosty hand of winter on a sunny but frigid January day. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    A Touch of Frost
  • Beautiful, glowing, and warm sunset light contrasts with snowy evergreens on a frigid winter day. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Floating in Fire
  • A long exposure of a silky waterfall flowing high after an October rainstorm.
    Cream of the Crop
  • Inviting Pharaoh Lake beckons the hot and tired hiker to take a dip. Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, Adirondacks.
    Take a Dip
  • 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
  • Vibrant ferns and flowers mingle in the forest undergrowth, signaling the arrival of spring. Adirondack Mountains, NY.
    Friends of the Forest
  • 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
  • A red-tailed hawk gives a side-eyed staredown while perched in a tree clinging to its final few autumn leaves.
    Soul Piercing
  • A tree-studded island reflects in an Adirondack pond as sunrise marks the beginning of another glorious day on the water.
    Make it Count
  • 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
  • Evening lights shines on snowy krummholz and distant mountains as the valley in between plunges into darkness. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    The Darkness In Between
  • The moon shines in the clear winter sky and illuminates snowy evergreens below the summit of Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Sanctuary
  • Interesting patterns in a partially frozen pond in the forest. Adirondack Park, NY.
    Amorphous
  • 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
  • A pretty deer fawn plays with a stick in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Fawning For Fall
  • It started back in September, while out for a glorious autumn paddle on Indian Lake. All day I’d been thinking about my grandfather, or “Papa” as we affectionately called him, who had passed away in December. A master carpenter, WWII veteran, and avid fisherman, he was and always will be my hero. As we slowly glided into a cove, I mentioned to my wife how this place made me think of Papa, and on cue we noticed a large bird soaring overhead, coming towards us. “I wish that was a bald eagle,” my wife, Amanda, remarked. As the bird crept closer, though, it became clear that this actually was a bald eagle. We both sat there dumbfounded with our mouths open as we watched this magnificent creature circle above us before continuing along. Once the shock passed, my wife turned to me and exclaimed “that was Papa coming to say hi!” It seemed very fitting, as bald eagles are prolific fishers and symbols of patriotism, just like Papa. <br />
Fast-forward to December, as the 1 year anniversary of Papa passing draws near. We were driving home after a snowshoe and were waiting to turn into our apartment. Just as we were about to turn, we saw a large bird flying straight down Route 146, right towards us. “What is that?” my wife said. It was a bald eagle, flying down the busiest road in town, right at us. Amanda quickly did a U-turn to park across the street from where the eagle had landed.  I was fortunate to get a couple shots off before the eagle took off, and will be forever thankful that “Papa” had the patience (much like on all those hot, fishless days on the River) to stay long enough for me to get some photos of him. <br />
When it was over, we speechlessly stared at each other, trying to wrap our heads around what had just happened. I knew, without a doubt, that the bald eagle we saw was Papa. Coming to say hi. To tell us that he loves us, that he misses us. That while he might no longer be on this earth as we once knew him, he will always be here, watching over us.
    Honor Flight
  • 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
  • Fog rolls over a mountainside covered in beautiful autumn foliage in the Hoffman Notch Wilderness. The scenery and solitude that I found here was yet another reminder that there is so much more to the Adirondacks than the popular, well-known locales.
    Lost in the Mist
  • A kayak rests on the bank of one of the many pristine lakes that can be found throughout the Adirondacks.
    Happy Place
  • Fresh snow covers towering evergreens along the trail to Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Snow Ghosts
  • The girls take an evening stroll through the Jay Covered Bridge. Constructed in 1857 and restored in 2007, it's the last remaining covered bridge in northern New York. Adirondack Park, New York.
    Memory Lane
  • Moonlight illuminates snowy evergreens on a clear and starry winter night. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Signs in the Sky
  • High winds below the summit of Mount Marcy carved the snow into interesting patterns and lines. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Hostility
  • Stars begin to fill the moonlit sky at twilight below the summit of Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Twilight
Next