The Last Green Valley Gallery
The Complete Gallery

Spring migration welcomes in all sorts of wildlife and visitors returning to The Last Green Valley, including a variety of fairies that have come to Discover Putnam, one of the 35 towns in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Fly fishing happens in The Last Green Valley, thanks to our many rivers, lakes and ponds. The Shetucket River in Sprague, CT welcomed in these fishermen!

Baby woodchucks grazing and enjoying the green spring grass and clover in Hampton CT, one of the 35 towns in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

A woods walk charms the child in all of us. This is the Byles Sanctuary, a Joshua's Trust Preserve in Ashford, CT.

The first beach plum (Rosa rugosa) rose bloomed! They enjoy The Last Green Valley so much, they continue to bloom into October! Photo by E. Linkkila.

Smell the lilacs in bloom, a springtime scent-sation in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor! Photo by E. Linkkila.

Wildflowers are unexpected delicate delights while hiking in Spring throughout The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. Photo by M. Comeau.

History happened and is still happening in our National Heritage Corridor, The Last Green Valley. Huntington Homestead in Scotland CT hosts revolutionary ways to enjoy, learn and pass on the stories. Photo by M. Dawley

The Air Line Trail in The Last Green Valley is a perfect place for horseback riding, along with walking, jogging, bike riding, bird watching and more! Photo by M. Dawley

Recently we moved from brrrr to ahhhh Spring weather. Back in the brrrr this beautiful crocus decided, despite the unseasonably cold weather, that it was time to bloom ~ always a welcome sign of spring in Hampton, one of the 35 towns in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Candid Camera! White-tailed deer in Hampton, Connecticut poses for a game camera on a February night. This is one of many species of wildlife in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Snowy steeple shots are worth snow-filled boots in The Last Green Valley. Woodstock, CT. Photo by L. Lemmon.

Breathe in fresh air and winter wonderland visions on the morning after a snow in Hampton Connecticut, right here in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Downtown Putnam shines in the spotlight and basks in moon glow preparing to rest after a busy day & night of their Annual Fire & Ice Festival. Photo by: TLGV.

Trees painted by the sun just before rain. Life and weather are ever-changing in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Nelson.

Fire dancers dazzle at the Fire and Ice Festival in Putnam, Connecticut, an annual February event welcoming in all for some winter fun in The Last Green Valley!

Historic William Ross Library in Chaplin shows a sharp contrast to the weather in The Last Green Valley this season. Snow one day, gone the next. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Heins Farm Pond loop trail in Sturbridge, MA. A scenic view from pond overlooking the old barn after a recent snow fall. Photo by T. Chamberland.

Waiting for the light to turn green so they can hop around and shake off mid-December snow that fell in Willimantic. Visit the Frog Bridge in The Last Green Valley in all seasons! Photo by E. Linkkila.

Burgess Discovery Trail in Sturbridge was bursting out with Native Witch Hazel in bloom! Photo by T. Chamberland.

Stunning Hampton sunrises make you happy to wake up to a new season arriving in The Last Green Valley!

Monkeying around and having Walktober fun at the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp “Nature Framed” family-friendly trail walk in Pomfret. Photo by M. Dawley.

Golden reflections on the pond at Trail Wood, a CT Audubon Sanctuary in Hampton, on a crisp October morning in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Front yard turkey parades happen in The Last Green Valley – this time in Killingly. Photo by J. Hemstock.

Fall reflections happen during Walktober in the Quinebaug River as it lies at rest in Putnam, 1 of the 35 towns in The Last Green Valley. Photo by L. Graff.

A wood duck house surrounded by a swamp in the Natchaug State Forest, part of what makes The Last Green Valley green, on a crispy autumn morning. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Reflecting and walking at the Quinebaug River Trail in Danielson, enjoying the gorgeous weather & foliage while on a break from attending outstanding Walktobers. Photo by J. Anderson.

Early morning reflections on a clear October day on Mansfield Hollow Lake, one of many sparkling waterways in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

This Monarch caterpillar, along with a few of his friends, was enjoying a milkweed plant in Hampton and will soon be a beautiful Monarch butterfly who may return to The Last Green Valley next spring after wintering in Mexico. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Bright pink clouds at sunset on the eve of a beautiful clear September day in Hampton. The beginning of another beautiful autumn in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Female ruby-throated hummingbird enjoying nectar at a feeder in Hampton. Just think; in a short time these beautiful hummingbirds will begin their migration from The Last Green Valley to Mexico or Costa Rica. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Monarch butterly enjoying milkweed in Hampton on a beautiful, sunny, day in The Last Green Valley. The monarch butterfly must have milkweed to survive. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Stunning snake sunning itself on a summer’s day in The Last Green Valley on a Dayville road near the woods. Photo by J. Anderson.

The beautiful Roses of Sharon have begun to bloom welcoming in the month of August to Hampton in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Roseland Park and Roseland Lake shine, sparkle and welcome you in The Last Green Valley town of Woodstock, CT.

A scene from the 31st Annual Boombox Parade held on July 4, 2016 under bright, sunny skies in Willimantic. This parade was well-attended, as always, by residents of The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

This little red squirrel enjoying a Hampton backyard. The gray and red squirrels seem to co-exist quite well in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

These orange lilies that dot the countryside throughout Northeastern Connecticut are a definite sign that July has arrived in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

This prickly pear cactus, a native Connecticut plant, is listed by the State as a species of special concern as much of their natural environment has been destroyed, but this one is growing strong in Hampton in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

YMCA Camp Woodstock is ready for campers and paddling in The Last Green Valley! Photo by YMCA Camp Woodstock.

Plenty of welcoming places to dally in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor's 35 towns. Photo by M.B. Dawley

Our first rose of this season, a Rosa rugosa, which will be in bloom from now until October. They usually are seen growing on the coast but they are also very happy growing here in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Guess why they are named Shagbark Hickory Trees. We've got lots of them in The Last Green Valley here in eastern CT and south central MA. Photo by M.B. Dawley

Ancient Indian cairn at Barrett Hill Farm in Brooklyn. In The Last Green Valley, history is our story. Photo by J. Anderson.

Pink dogwood in bloom in Hampton in The Last Green Valley. One of many beautiful flowering shrubs that welcome in Springtime to Connecticut. Photo by E. Linkkila.

These lovely blue forget-me-nots are remembering to bloom in Hampton; another May highlight in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Blooms are a splendid thing in Hampton and all 35 towns in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Reading about salamanders happens when librarians, like Jessi from the Holland Public Library are walk leaders on Acorn Adventures in The Last Green Valley. Oh - and we did find real, live, squirmy salamanders, too! Photo by B. Zoldak.

Hiking happens! Guided hikes are available throughout the National Heritage Corridor in Spring Outdoors and Walktober, and many other times, too! Photo by The Last Green Valley.

A little April snow accents the Willimantic River, one of many miles of water trails in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Fierce looking April winter day. Oh the blues and whites love to show off in The Last Green Valley. Photo by D. King.

A piece of dark-world under the blue skies of a snow filled winter in The Last Green Valley. Photo by A. Iamartino.

The first flakes of snow fell in The Last Green Valley this week, and this photo captures the two seasons, fall and winter, meeting on their own terms, as a golden maple leaf atop the first dusting of snow on the forest floor in Hampton on November 14, 2014.

Big scenes in Bigelow State Park, including Breakneck Pond showing off fall color in Union. Photo by D. Geslien.

Wanna be crocus will be ~ in the never ending winter of 2015 in The Last Green Valley! Photo by E. Linkkila.

The Willimantic River at White Water Park on a lovely sunny afternoon in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

April showers bring May flowers and robins to Hampton, a great town in The Last Green Valley! Photo by P. Smith.

These deer are trying to arrange a meeting with Mother Nature after this white winter in The Last Green Valley. Photo by JP Babineau.

Carter House ablaze with fall splendor. Dudley MA lights up The Last Green Valley! Photo by N. Runkle.

Mansfield Hollow, a favorite kayaking place in The Last Green Valley! Chasing after reflections was surprised to see the "heart" in this tunnel of love. Photo by JP Babineau.

Turkeys strut their stuff in Hampton, one of the 35 turkey friendly towns in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Six CT state parks hosted ‘First Day’ hikes on the first of the year, including a beautiful day at the James L. Goodwin Conservation Center in Hampton, a lovely spot in The Last Green Valley. Photo by S. Hamby

Tufted titmouse enjoying his heated Hampton bath. Birds love winter in The Last Green Valley! Photo by E. Linkkila.

Sunrise and snow melt in Scotland. Spring is finally coming to The Last Green Valley! Photo by C. Robinson.

Rosa rugosa (beach plum) in bloom against the blue June sky. These hardy roses not only thrive at the seashore but in The Last Green Valley as well. Photo taken on June 5, 2015 by E. Linkkila.

Pollinators unite in The Last Green Valley’s 35 towns in northeast CT and south central MA. Photo by J. Hemstock.

Not quite twilight in Putnam with the first significant snow this season in The Last Green Valley. Photo by S. Hamby.

Wild Iris tamed at Baltic Reservoir in Sprague, a colorful town in The Last Green Valley. Photo by J. Stahr.

This brilliant sunrise in Hampton on December 28th seemed to warn of the approaching rain in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

The peonies are synonymous with June in northeast CT and one of the many beautiful perennials blooming in late spring in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Yorkshire momma brings her 7 dwarfs to the Brooklyn Fair on a great summer day in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Freshly dyed wool at Old Sturbridge Village, where we can connect to our past in The Last Green Valley.

This barred owl was rehabbed at Horizon Wings in Ashford and released in Woodstock. The Last Green Valley is the place to spread your wings! Photo by J. Wadsworth.

Taken during the first annual Arts and Eats Stroll in Downtown Romantic Willimantic, Walktober 2014! Photo by R. Hartunian-Alumbaugh.

This almost full Beaver Moon was taken in Hampton on November 4, 2014. The moon was completely full on the sixth of November. The November full moon is called the Beaver Moon because in days of old it was the time to set traps, before the waters froze over in The Last Green Valley. This Moon was also called the Full Frost Moon. Photo by E. Linkkila.

The May Apple has blossomed. It is a beautiful, native plant which we are fortunate to have in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Taken while hiking in The Last Green Valley at Mashamoquet Brook State Park on December 1, 2014. This Park offers a trail system and some great geological features such as General Israel Putnam

Taken during a 2014 Walktober event - The View on Aicher’s Hill, a Wyndham Land Trust property in Pomfret, hosted by Weiss & Hale Financial, this photo captures a moment in time in The Last Green Valley. Wouldn’t it make a great puzzle?

Our first Lenten Rose (Helleborus) is in bloom. Many crocuses and a few daffodils are joining in the blooms in The Last Green Valley. Spring has sprung. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Putting on our Lady Slippers in Killingly, one of the proud towns in The Last Green Valley. Photo by J. Hemstock.

Willy, one of the four symbolic frogs decorating the Frog Bridge in Willimantic on February 5 after one of the many snowstorms in The Last Green Valley this year! Photo by E. Linkkila.

A majestic eagle strikes a winter pose in The Last Green Valley while balancing on a branch over the Quinebaug River in Putnam. February 2015. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Immature eagle watching over Windham Center. The Last Green Valley is happy the eagles have returned to our area. Look to our skies often. Photo by JP Babineau.

A proud resident of The Last Green Valley, this bald eagle was fishing for breakfast on the Quinebaug in Putnam. Photo by K. DiBonaventura.

My mom let me take pictures of our yard in The Last Green Valley, and it is just ducky. Photo by S. Dunton.

These lovely white and yellow daffies are in full-bloom in mid-April, welcoming springtime to The Last Green Valley! Photo by E. Linkkila.

These crocus bloomed 3/1/13 and 3/11/14. When will they bloom after this winter in The Last Green Valley? Photo by E. Linkkila.

Winter wonder church in Old Sturbridge Village, a working museum in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Putnam's icy and snow covered historic Cargill Falls. A great scene in every season in the Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Enjoying the holiday lights in The Last Green Valley, bidding farewell to one year & welcoming in a new. Davis Park. Photo by J. Stahr.

Winter sun on a little history in The Last Green Valley. A favorite of kids of all ages, the Gertrude Chandler Warner Museum. Photo by S. Hamby

Lovely pink cloud dominating a spring sunset in Hampton. Good night from The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

A cardinal shares the bird feeder in Hampton during the January 2015 blizzard in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

Red lilacs in bloom at the Garden on the Bridge in the Windham Mills State Heritage Park in Willimantic. This diplay of flowers is always a welcome Spring sight in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

A Walktober Hike on the Airline Trail shows our love for walking and sticking together in The Last Green Valley.

Prickly Pear Cactus growing in the Last Green Valley. This plant has overwintered for at least five years and blossomed for the first time of the season today, June 23rd. Photo by E. Linkkila.

A sweet moment as mother & babe stop and smell the rose in picturesque Norwich Rose Garden. Photo by T. Leland.

Father's Day reflections in Brooklyn. Reasons to keep your camera handy in the Last Green Valley! Photo by J. BladeJohnson.

A delightful male ruby-throated hummingbird guarding his feeder in the rain in The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.

A family paddle with Chief Ranger Bill in the Willimantic. Priceless. Photo by R Hartunian-Alumbaugh.

A hot & humid morning offers great blooming for pond-loving pickle weed in The Last Green Valley’s Old Furnace State Park. Photo by J. Anderson.

Hen of the Woods mushroom found growing under an oak tree in Dayville. They are very rich & earthy. Photo by J. Anderson.

The Air Line Trail in The Last Green Valley is a perfect place for walking, jogging, bike riding, bird watching, horseback riding and more! Photo by M. Dawley

Tackle the Trail! Training happens on the Air Line Trail in The Last Green Valley. A perfect place for a 20-mile trail race, like Tackle the Trail, and for walking, jogging, bike riding, bird watching, horseback riding and more! Photo by M. Dawley

A surprise rainbow against the brilliant sky on a June eve of just after the severe thunderstorm that crossed through Hampton and then on through The Last Green Valley. Photo by E. Linkkila.