Upperhallpond

@upperhallpond

Outdoors! Walking the dogs. Open water and Ice fishing. Snow sports, ski, snowshoe, microspike mountain climbing (East Coast mountains). Independent! Gardening, yard work, fixing things, projects, maple sugaring. Retired child advocate!

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Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· 23d

I really enjoy mornings of the lake. My excuse “I’m going fishing” but really it’s so I can float around the lake for a few hours. This is from July 2026 @ 5 am just prior to sunrise, my fishing boat at the dock.

A tranquil lakeside scene before sunrise. The sky is filled with dramatic gray-blue clouds, with warm orange and pink light glowing near the horizon. The colors reflect across the calm, rippling water. Dark hills and a distant shoreline form a silhouette in the background. On the right, a dock with metal railings extends into the water, with a small boat moored beside it. The overall mood is peaceful and atmospheric.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· 23d

Last year 2025 this brook was dry for the first time in 30 years. This is the brook in July 2026 once again completely dry! No bs, Climate change is here!

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· 24d

July 2017 Reflecting pool before dumpy ruined it.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· 28d

It’s apocalyptic with yellow sky’s here in NH, a glimpse of the future?

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jun 21

Tamarack trees, flowers-cones-new branches?

A close-up photo shows a conifer branch with soft, bright green needles radiating outward in small starburst clusters along a thin brown twig. Several small, deep burgundy-purple cones hang from the branch; they look almost like tiny rosebuds, with layered scales curled around each other.

The background is softly blurred green foliage, making the sharp needles and dark purple cones stand out clearly in the foreground. The overall feeling is fresh, natural, and springlike.

A sunlit woodland scene with a young Tamarack tree standing in the center. The Tamarack is slender and upright, with a thin trunk and many soft, feathery green branches spreading outward in loose layers. Its needles look light and delicate, giving the tree an airy, almost wispy shape.

Bright sunlight shines through the trees from the upper left, creating a strong glow and lens flare across the image. Around the Tamarack is dense summer greenery: tall grasses, leafy shrubs, and other trees filling the background. A larger tree trunk stands behind it to the left, while the right side opens slightly into a narrow, grassy path or clearing. The overall feeling is warm, green, and peaceful, like a quiet forest edge on a sunny day.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jun 20

The work of a master Artist titled “Sedimentary Elephant resting on granite block” By: Nature

$The image depicts a large, angular boulder situated in a densely forested area. This massive rock formation features prominent, sharp edges and flat, faceted surfaces, characteristic of boulders used for bouldering, a form of rock climbing.Key FeaturesBoulder Structure: The central boulder is substantial and appears to be composed of smaller, fractured rock sections at its base. Its surfaces vary from smooth, flat faces to more textured, irregular planes.Environment: The rock is surrounded by a lush green forest with numerous deciduous and coniferous trees. To the left, a thin tree trunk has a pink ribbon tied around it, which contains the partially visible word "CAUTION."Climbing Context: Boulders with these specific geometric shapes and steep arêtes are common in bouldering areas like those found in New England (e.g., New Hampshire, Massachusetts) or Quebec, Canada. Similar formations are often described by climbers for their specific "problems" or routes, such as arêtes and corners.$

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jun 5

Rattlesnake Mountain, exposed rock above camps RockyWold/DeepHaven on the shore of Squam lake.

A calm, scenic view of Squam Lake on a clear day, with smooth blue-green water reflecting the forested shoreline and hills beyond. Rattlesnake Mountain rises prominently in the background, covered in dense green trees, with a rocky outcrop near the top that is a popular hiking destination—especially in the fall. Along the shoreline at the base of the mountain is the private RockWold/DeepHaven camp area, partly hidden among the trees. The bright blue sky and gentle ripples on the lake give the scene a peaceful, summery feel.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jun 5

Sunrise on Squam lake, Holderness, NH The 1981 movie “On Golden Pond” was filmed on this lake!

A serene sunrise over Squam Lake, the New Hampshire setting made famous by *On Golden Pond*. The water is nearly glass-still, softly rippled and reflecting the warm orange glow of the sun as it rises from the distant horizon. Dark silhouettes of pine-covered shoreline frame the right side of the scene, their reflections stretching down into the lake like ink.

Across the left and far distance, low mountain ridges fade into dusky blue, adding depth and quiet drama to the landscape. The sky transitions beautifully from pale blue overhead to peach, gold, and rose near the horizon, giving the whole scene a peaceful, nostalgic feeling. It has the calm, timeless quality that made Squam Lake such a memorable backdrop for the film—quiet, reflective, and deeply picturesque.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· May 25

This one is hard for me, this one is a Blue Grosbeak at my feeder.

This appears to be a **male Blue Grosbeak** (*Passerina caerulea*).

**Description / key features visible:**
- Rich **deep blue body and head**
- **Large, pale, cone-shaped bill** suited for cracking seeds
- Darker/blackish area around the face and base of the bill
- Brownish/rusty markings on the folded wing, consistent with the **chestnut wing bars** of a Blue Grosbeak
- Perched at a seed feeder, which they may visit, especially in rural/open areas

A similar bird is the **Indigo Bunting**, but this bird’s heavier bill and the rusty wing-bar area make **Blue Grosbeak** the better match.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· May 25

Our daughter also bought us one of these feeders off late night TV. It is such a pleasure to watching a diverse group of birds get along Love the Northern Cardinal.

A bright red male cardinal is perched on the edge of a bird feeder, very close to the camera. Its vivid red feathers and orange-red beak stand out against the green backyard. The bird appears to be looking down or toward the feeder, where seeds and shells are visible. In the background there is a grassy lawn, trees with spring foliage, and warm sunlight, giving the scene a peaceful outdoor feel.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· May 25

Birds are so beautiful, and so diverse. Red-bellied Woodpecker

A close-up photo shows a red-bellied woodpecker perched on a bird feeder filled with seeds. The bird has a bright red cap and nape, a pale cream face and belly, a long pointed beak, and black-and-white barred wings. It appears to be leaning forward with its beak slightly open. In the background is a grassy yard with trees and a small structure or shed.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· May 21

Going fishing, 5:15 am Calm lake, good day for trolling🎣

A quiet, misty scene at the Newfound Lake boat launch, 5:15 am just before sunrise. The boat ramp leads down toward the calm water, where a dock extends out into the lake. One small, manned boat floats just off the dock, silhouetted against the soft pink and orange glow on the horizon.

Low fog hangs over the far shoreline, partially obscuring the tree-covered hills in the distance. The lake is nearly still, reflecting the colorful clouds and pale sky like glass. On the left, a tall curved lamp post frames the scene, while trees and shoreline vegetation border both sides of the ramp. The overall mood is peaceful, cool, and early-morning quiet, with the boat launch empty except for the one boat on the water.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· May 15

This person is a monster! He has no humanity, just look at that demented angry face! He is berating a female reporter for asking a question he did not like.

Angry trump berating a female reporter for asking a question he did not like.
He is on the White House lawn with marine 2 wait in the background.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· May 14

Strawberry blonde tail. That’s my chair!

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Apr 30

Spring is special in NH. Two of the first plants to grow after the snow melts: Indian poke. Trout Lily

The bright green plants in your photo look like **false hellebore** (*Veratrum viride*), also called **Indian poke** or **green false hellebore**.

Why I think so:
- They’re growing in a **wet woodland / streamside area**
- The leaves are **broad, pleated, and strongly parallel-veined**
- They emerge in **clumps** early in the season

A couple of notes:
- **False hellebore is poisonous** if eaten
- It can sometimes be confused with **skunk cabbage** or other wetland plants, but skunk cabbage usually has smoother, less pleated leaves and often emerges even earlier from very wet muck

This looks like **trout lily** (*Erythronium americanum*), also called **yellow trout lily** or **dogtooth violet**.

Why:
- **Yellow, nodding lily-like flower** with 6 tepals
- **Mottled leaves** with brown/green blotches, like a trout’s skin
- Common **spring woodland wildflower**

It’s native to eastern North America and often blooms in early spring in deciduous forests.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Apr 23

Our local beavers have been busy. They don’t eat the wood chips they do eat: Inner Bark (Cambium): This is the most nutritious part of the tree. It is the soft, living tissue located just beneath the rough outer bark that carries nutrients throughout the tree.

Beaver teeth marks on a standing yellow birch tree

Massive beaver constructed dam covered in snow.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Apr 10

Our own resident Cardinal, we are blessed!

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Mar 30

Wandering aimlessly through beaver territory. This is Rory our proud Irish setter, he loves wandering, too! Irish setters are fantastic pets but they need a daily walk/hike. Today, the Beavers were out for food, this tree was downed last fall by the 🦫 It’s their food. I believe it’s a yellow birch.

A quiet woodland scene in early spring. A narrow, dark stream winds through a forest of mostly bare trees, with patches of snow still clinging to the banks and ground. The undergrowth is brown and dry, with fallen branches and grasses scattered around. Near the center-left, a red dog appears to be in mid-leap over the edge of the creek. The overall mood is calm, chilly, and natural.

A fallen tree branch lies on patchy snow in a wooded area. Much of the bark has been stripped off, exposing pale wood, and there are piles of fresh wood chips around it—suggesting it was likely gnawed by an animal, possibly a beaver. Small twigs and debris are scattered across the snowy ground.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Mar 24

Forest bathing Winter is melting into Spring! The brook is running full The gentle sound of the melt water flowing over the rocks. Framed by a mixed deciduous forest with a snow cover floor. Nature rules!

The image shows a small rocky stream running through a winter forest. Snow lies in patches over boulders and along the banks, while clear water flows around the rocks and forms a small cascade into a shallow pool. Bare deciduous trees and a few evergreens stand throughout the scene, with sunlight casting crisp shadows across the snow and water.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Feb 17

Maple time, some taps already in.

A snowy wooded scene with tall trees and a quiet forest floor covered in fresh snow. Several metal buckets are strapped to tree trunks (like sap-collection buckets), and there are faint tracks in the snow leading through the trees. In the lower right, a white English setter dog with black spots and a red collar stands in the snow, looking toward the camera.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jan 17

Out on the lake this morning. Inside my portable bob house. See the skaters in the distance.

The image shows a frozen lake surface with a freshly drilled circular hole for ice fishing. Dark green water is visible through the hole, and the surrounding ice is dusted with snow and ice shavings. Part of an ice-fishing setup appears around it, including a flasher fish finder, a red bucket at the top right, and a bit of red gear at the bottom.

A wide, wintry scene shows a frozen lake covered in fresh snow under a gray, foggy sky. Several sets of footprints cross the foreground toward the distance. Scattered darker patches/holes appear in the snow on the ice, and far away near the tree-lined shore there are a few small figures ice skating, fresh snow give a very white landscape.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jan 15

Dreaming of warmer times, seeing the fruits of our work is a brief respite from winters cold rain on snow and ice.

A sunny outdoor garden scene on a grassy hillside. In the foreground, a small fenced planting bed contains tall green corn stalks with tassels and a cluster of sunflowers with bright yellow-orange petals and dark centers. Behind the garden is an open lawn that slopes down toward dense, leafy trees and shrubs, creating a lush green woodland backdrop.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jan 15

By the early 70s, after hordes of immigrants brought disease and death to the natives, had entered the country through open borders. The immigrants were becoming increasingly violent toward the natives.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jan 14

A peek at NH snowmobile trail. Fair conditions for now waiting for more snow. Sure is pretty and a real sense of wilderness.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jan 13

Nest? 🤔 Took the picture from a snowmobile trail in NH. The trees are beach trees, hint!

A quiet winter woodland scene. The ground in the foreground is covered in smooth white snow with a few thin twigs poking through. Tall, leafless trees with pale gray trunks stand close together, their bare branches forming a web against the sky; a few dark clumps of leaves or nests cling high in some branches. Beyond the trees, low rolling hills stretch across the background, and above them is a cold blue sky with patches of light gray clouds.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jan 12

Newfound lake, Hebron NH

A wide winter landscape viewed from a hillside lookout: snow covers the foreground and leafless trees fill the slopes, with a tall evergreen on the left framing the scene. In the middle distance, a long lake winds through dark forest. Beyond it, layered mountain ridges stretch across the horizon under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Jan 12

He’s checked all the boxes.

a better word than fascism
Finding a "better" word for fascism often depends on whether you are looking for a more precise political term or a general synonym to describe authoritarian behavior.
More Precise Political Terms
Authoritarianism: A broader term for a government that values strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom, without necessarily sharing fascism's specific revolutionary or nationalist myths.
Totalitarianism: Describes a system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life.
Ultranationalism: Specifically identifies the extreme, often xenophobic, devotion to one's nation that is a core component of fascist ideology.
Autocracy: Refers to a system of government by one person with absolute power.
Corporatism: A technical term sometimes used to describe the fascist economic model, where society is organized into "corporations" (major interest groups) subordinate to the state.
General Synonyms for Descriptive Use
Despotism: Often used to describe the exercise of absolute power in a cruel or oppressive way.
Tyranny: Suggests an arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power, particularly by a cruel ruler.
Absolutism: Describes a political theory and form of government where unlimited, complete power is held by a centralized individual.
Illiberalism: A more modern term for systems that may have elections but lack the protections of a "liberal democracy," such as freedom of speech or an independent judiciary.
Contextual Considerations
The term "fascism" is frequently debated for its accuracy in modern contexts. For instance:
Palingenetic Ultranationalism: Scholars like Roger Griffin define fascism specifically as "palingenetic ultranationalism," meaning a myth of national rebirth following a period of perceived decline.
Neofascism: This is the preferred term for post-WWII movements that incorporate significant elements of original fascist ideology.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Dec 28

Is he a time traveler? A specter infesting our living world. This screen shot is from 1911 Concord NH city government. Is that Steven in 1911?🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Dec 25

Nearly frozen brook. Rory the Irish setter in the background

A small mountain brook winds through a snowy forest, tumbling over rocks that are rimmed with clear ice. Icicles hang from stones and branches at the water’s edge, and thin sheets of ice glaze the shallows. The ground is patchy with snow, scattered with brown leaves and mossy boulders. Bare deciduous trees mingle with dark evergreens under a cold, blue winter light. On the right bank, a Rory stands alert among the trees, overlooking the frozen cascade. The scene feels quiet and crisp, with the gentle movement of water beneath the ice.

Upperhallpond@upperhallpond· Dec 21

Beavers are amazing. This is their farming at work! The tree provides winter food, she brings the branches to the pond and submerges them in the mud for winter storage. Yes they eat