Late fall along the Connecticut River Valley finds a normally lush, green landscape rather brown and barren. The leaves have largely departed from the trees and even though its not quite 3PM, the afternoon sun is already sinking rapidly toward the horizon. Christmas is less than 30 days away and the Valley Railroad has begun its schedule of holiday trains. Here, the 2:30 PM Santa Special charges north across Deep River Creek, a Connecticut River tributary, on its way north to Chester and a visit with Santa Claus for the many little ones on board. For a look at this location from the sunny side of the bridge click here.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.