Date Visited: February 6, 2016
Cost: Free
Parking is limited. There are about a 10-20 parking spaces but many people park sideways rather than horizontally since there are not clearly defined spaces in the lot. So, sometimes only a dozen or so cars can fit in the lot. It’s best to get there early in the day.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
No dogs or fishing are allowed since it is a reservoir.
Ashley Reservoir is a photographer’s dream destination. You don’t have to try hard to find pretty places to shoot. One of the things that stood out from my shoot was just how much the weather changed in the hour and a half that we spend there.
Ashley Reservoir is a 4 mile loop (there is a shortcut you can take that is about 1.5 or 2 miles). The trails are well defined and, when there isn’t snow and ice on the ground, would be easy to navigate.
One of the many interesting parts to the trail are the paths that seem to cut across the reservoir and connect back to the trails.
The photo below was not doctored. It is the particles in the snow as the sun melted the snow. But, I thought it looked pretty cool. The last video posted below shows these sparkles.
Since it is a popular destination for runners, walkers and nature lovers, the geese, ducks and other birds are not as skittish as they are in other parks and reservoirs. It was luncj time for the geese. The last video at the end of the post shows the sparkling snow.
Now, this is what I call a cluster duck.
Despite the cold temperature and the icy trails there were several runners out at Ashley reservoir.
The trees and plant life were grand even during the winter when some of them were bare.
Check out the videos below for more fun from Ashley Reservoir
stop by my Facebook page for my photos and fun stuff!
February 6th, 2016 at 9:24 pm
Very cold very pretty. ❤️😎
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February 6th, 2016 at 9:42 pm
Thank you and yes it was very cold!
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February 6th, 2016 at 11:10 pm
The photo’s are stunning! I appear to be having technical difficulties and couldn’t get the video’s to play; which means I just have to revisit the post, grin. Thank you for today’s journey here via wp. 🙂
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February 6th, 2016 at 11:16 pm
Thank you! Sometimes when I add a lot of photos and videos, wordpress gets glitchy. I appreciate you stopping by!
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February 7th, 2016 at 12:43 am
I keep watching for your posts because I love and appreciate where I get to journey through your eyes. Many thanks my friend. 🙂
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February 7th, 2016 at 1:21 am
Thank you so much! I always look forward to reading your comments. They never fail to brighten my day!
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February 7th, 2016 at 1:29 am
I cannot tell you how meaningful that is to know. I realize sometimes people get overwhelmed by comments, so I try to keep myself in check; but that really touched me. Thank you.
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February 7th, 2016 at 1:34 am
( :
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February 7th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
Thanks so much for following http://fonzandcancer.wordpress.com I really do appreciate it – Fonz
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February 7th, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Thank you for stopping by and reading. I’m looking forward to reading your posts!
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February 7th, 2016 at 5:32 pm
I write to encourage, if you need a lift. Just put a word in the search box a blog will come up. I really hope you are encouraged when you need it. 😊
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February 7th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
I love Ashley Reservoir! I live about 20 minutes away and it is such a nice place to walk around. The sunsets there are incredible!
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February 7th, 2016 at 5:29 pm
You know, I have driven by it so many times when I visit my relatives and the parking area is always packed in the summer. Now, I know why. It is a beautiful place. I now have another place to go for runs when I visit! Thank you for reading and commenting, Heather.
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February 7th, 2016 at 5:34 pm
I did the same thing when I moved to MA about 24 years ago. I would drive by it to get to the Holyoke Mall and never stopped and walked in. I can’t believe the place isn’t more popular.
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February 7th, 2016 at 5:40 pm
Maybe I’ll see you there sometime!
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February 8th, 2016 at 11:33 am
Stunning pictures. You really have a remarkable talent.
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February 8th, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Thank you, Liza!
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February 9th, 2016 at 11:31 am
Gorgeous! I love the roads of snow between the water. Perfect capture of February. 🙂
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February 9th, 2016 at 12:17 pm
Thank you, Alex! I thought those roads were very cool also. At first, I half expected to fall into the water when I walked on them (a significant problem since it is a reservoir). But, they were really cool and safe to walk upon.
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February 11th, 2016 at 10:50 pm
I was just checking in to see if we had traveled anymore these past days. Grin
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February 12th, 2016 at 12:16 am
Ha ha thank you for checking and making me smile ! I am planning on getting out this weekend for some photography. Stay tuned!
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February 12th, 2016 at 12:18 am
Huge smiles; I cannot wait!
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February 12th, 2016 at 12:03 am
Would love to do this walk. Looks wonderful.
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February 12th, 2016 at 12:06 am
It really is beautiful. I can’t wait to visit when it gets warmer out. The flowers and trees must look so pretty when they are in bloom
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February 12th, 2016 at 6:55 am
VERY pretty. I love walking in snow – we were lucky to get some good shots of the crystalized snow before the rains (my Kautz Creek Trail post). But didn’t get up to the snow as much this year – so these are great to see and made me miss it.
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February 12th, 2016 at 9:43 pm
Thank you for the comment. It was beautiful. Plus, even though it was cold, it wasn’t too windy so I got some shots of the still water and a few with the ripples from the ducks and a slight wind.
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February 12th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Looks like a beautiful winter day.
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February 12th, 2016 at 9:44 pm
It was a perfect day for winter photography. Thank you!
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February 12th, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Beautiful but I feel cold just looking at it. Brrrr!
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February 13th, 2016 at 6:14 pm
Beautiful photos!
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February 13th, 2016 at 9:39 pm
Thank you, Sherry!
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February 14th, 2016 at 5:13 am
Your photos are amazing!!!!
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February 14th, 2016 at 6:41 am
It all looks so very quiet and beautiful. What a perfect place for a long walk .. Although it looks very cold, I guess you must wear your share of pullovers! Thanks for sharing this great post, I have been missing the snow after a couple of years in the Philippines, so I was really happy to show your pic to my kids and tell them more about what my home looks (I am French though, so we hardly have so much snow).
Happy Valentine’s 🙂
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February 14th, 2016 at 5:41 pm
Thank you, Estelea! As much as we complain about the weather here, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It’s so pretty during the winter after a snowstorm. Thank you for stopping by and sharing my photos!
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February 15th, 2016 at 2:30 am
Plus when it’s so cold, hot chocolate really tastes good 🙂 happy week !
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February 15th, 2016 at 3:47 am
Exactly! Have a good one!
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February 14th, 2016 at 10:35 am
Lovely.
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February 14th, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Thank you!
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February 15th, 2016 at 8:43 pm
Hello Nomad! I’m very pleased to see you following my blog and I really hope I won’t disappoint you. I love what I see you of yours and I will be following back to make sure I don’t miss anything 🙂
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February 15th, 2016 at 8:44 pm
Thank you, Osyth! I look forward to reading your words!
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