Sometimes, the most memorable moments on a foliage drive come not from a destination, but from a detour.
I was making my way along NF-10, a quiet forest road that cuts through the western side of Vermont’s Green Mountains. It was one of those crisp autumn days where every bend in the road offers something to admire. Then I saw something odd—an old branch leaning out over the dirt road, with a tattered blue pennant fluttering at its tip. There were no signs, no markings, just this strange little flag swaying in the breeze. It seemed too deliberate to ignore.
Curious, I pulled over and wandered into the woods. Just a few steps in, the hush of the forest gave way to the gentle sound of running water. And then I saw it—a small waterfall, veiled in golden light, cascading over dark rocks and surrounded by a thick blanket of fallen leaves in every shade of red, orange, and gold. It was the kind of moment every foliage chaser hopes for: completely unplanned, perfectly timed, and impossible to recreate.
I instinctively reached for my camera, eager to capture it. But the light filtering through the forest was low, and my handheld shots came out soft and shaky. So I hustled back to the car for my tripod—thankfully just a short jog away. Once set up, I dropped my ISO to 50 for maximum image quality, opened my lens to its widest at 24mm to capture the whole scene, and stopped down to f/22 to stretch the exposure time as much as possible. I ended up shooting 10-second exposures, which gave the water that silky, flowing look and emphasized the peaceful energy of the place. Without my tripod, there’s no way I could have pulled it off.
This little waterfall—unnamed, unmarked, and completely unexpected—was one of the highlights of my trip. It reminded me that in Vermont, beauty hides everywhere, and often the best finds are the ones you stumble across because something odd caught your eye.
So if you find yourself driving NF-10 during foliage season, keep your senses open. That blue pennant might not be there next time, but who knows what else you might discover just beyond the trees?
Photography Gear Used for This Shot:
- Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
- Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS
- Tripod: Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod (sturdy and essential for long exposures)
- Remote Release: Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch (to avoid camera shake during long exposures)
These tools, combined with patience and a bit of curiosity, helped capture the full magic of this hidden spot.
Jeff “Foliage” Folger
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