Dave Thompsen Photography

Category: New England

  • Hampton Marsh

    Hampton Marsh

    A photograph of the sun setting on the salt marshes in Hampton, NH.
    Hampton Marsh

    The marshes in Hampton, New Hampshire in late summer at sunset. The tide is high in the estuary which includes over 5,000 acres of salt marsh, the largest in New Hampshire.

    This is critical habitat for nesting and migratory shorebirds, including the Saltmarsh Sparrow. New Hampshire Audubon is active in monitoring this area and educating the public about its importance. A report titled “Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Habitat Restoration Compendium” by UNH and NOAA describes restoration projects in this area designed to address issues caused by historical uses of the marshes that involved harvesting the marsh grasses and digging channels to redirect the tidal waters.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance; limited edition prints are available from my Etsy shop.

  • Whaleback Light at Sunrise

    Whaleback Light at Sunrise

    A silhouette photograph of Whaleback Lighthouse at sunrise in Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire.
    Whaleback Light at Sunrise

    Whaleback light stands in silhouette with exposed rocks in the shadows of the rising sun. Taken from Great Island Common in New Castle, New Hampshire, this lighthouse is located on a small island in Kittery Maine at the entrance to Portsmouth harbor. Established in 1820, it has been rebuilt several times and now sends its beam from a modern, high-powered LED light. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was recently acquired by the American Lighthouse Foundation.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance; limited edition prints are available from my Etsy shop.

  • Fuller Gardens Fountain

    Fuller Gardens Fountain

    A photograph of the elegant fountain at Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, New Hampshire.
    Fuller Gardens Fountain

    Water wells up from a basin to pour into a stone-lined pool at Fuller Gardens, a turn-of-the-century estate garden in North Hampton, New Hampshire. A statue of a woman kneels beside the bowl to partake of the cool, refreshing waters. This unique property includes formal rose gardens, Japanese gardens, and greenhouses to stroll through. A scenic ocean-front walkway beckons a block away with rocky coastline on one side and elegant estates on the other. 

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance; limited edition prints are available from my Etsy shop.

  • Portsmouth Tugboats

    Portsmouth Tugboats

    A photograph of three tugboats berthed in Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire.
    Portsmouth Tugboats

    These iconic tugboats are docked in Portsmouth Harbor off Ceres Street and are part of the Moran fleet. Some of these pack over 3,000 horsepower which is needed to handle the large ships that come through this area, known for tricky navigation due to extremely fast tidal currents and tight bridge spans. Learn more about the fleet at Moran’s website. For all things tugboat, be sure to check out the Tugboat Alley shop just around the corner on Bow Street.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses High-Dynamic Range (HDR) technique and an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance. Available from my Etsy shop.

  • Sailing Off Rye

    Sailing Off Rye

    An artistic photograph of two sailboats off the coast of Rye, New Hampshire.
    Sailing off Rye

    Two sailboats race each other off the Rye, New Hampshire coast. Sails taut, hulls heeling in the steady winds found in these waters. Cold ocean spray splashing off the bow.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance. Available from my Etsy shop.

  • Mayflower II

    Mayflower II

    A photograph of the Mayflower II replica tall ship berthed in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
    Mayflower II

    The Mayflower II is a full-scale reproduction of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to North America. Built in England in 1956 using traditional methods and tools, this ship is 106 ft long, 25 ft wide, and weighs 236 tons. It’s berthed on the waterfront of Plymouth, Massachusetts, not far from the landing site Plymouth Rock. The ship is a key attraction of Plimouth Plantation, a complex of museums that tell the story of  Plymouth colony and the native American culture of the area. The wharf leading to the ship includes informational displays that describe the ship and voyage it undertook in 1692 with 102 passengers and a crew of 30.

    I captured this photograph from Pilgrim Memorial State Park, a waterfront area that can be accessed from Water Street and includes walking paths, gardens, and scenic views of the harbor. I used an artistic filter to give the image a painterly feel. 

    The Landing of the Pilgrims USPS postage stamp

    This effort was inspired by the Landing of the Pilgrims postage stamp (Scott #1420) issued in 1970 to honor the 350th anniversary of that event.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance; prints are available from my Pixels shop.

  • Lone Dinghy

    Lone Dinghy

    An artistic photograph of a dinghy berthed on a dock at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut.
    Lone Dinghy

    A solitary rowboat is moored on the dock at Mystic Seaport, in Mystic Connecticut. The grayness of the foggy morning is punctuated by the vibrant, creamy yellow of the dinghy’s interior. The waters of the Mystic River lie still.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses High-Dynamic Range (HDR) technique and an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance. Available from my Etsy shop.

  • Colorful Connections

    Colorful Connections

    Photograph of the fall foliage at Rocky Gorge on the Swift River; located on the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
    Colorful Connections

    A vibrant color palette paints the foliage this autumn day in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. A foot bridge spans the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, offering a close-up view of the roiling waters of the Swift River below and connecting visitors to the Falls Pond trail loop. The walk on the loop trail is a peaceful complement to the bustle of activity of the gorge.

    This area is a favorite of mine, best visited in off-season or early in the morning, since it is a very popular stop on the Kancamagus Highway, a 34-mile American Scenic Byway through the heart of the White Mountains National Forest.

    Part of my photography portfolio, this image uses High-Dynamic Range (HDR) technique and artistic software filters to impart a painterly appearance.

  • Popham Beach Roses

    Popham Beach Roses

    Photograph of two people walking on Popham Beach in Maine, islands in the distance, and beach roses in the foreground.
    Popham Beach Roses

    Blue skies and sunshine liven the scene this early morning at Popham Beach in Phippsburg Maine. Beach roses (Rosa Rugosa) are a hardy flowering shrub that tolerates salt spray, so can often be seen along stretches of coastline.

    Fox Island, the nearest hill, is connected to the beach at low tide but becomes a proper island at high tide. Seguin Island can be seen further offshore – its lighthouse was built in 1857 and is now on the National Registry of Historic Places.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses High-Dynamic Range (HDR) technique and an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance. Available from my Etsy shop.

  • Sculling the Squamscott

    Sculling the Squamscott

    An autumn photograph of a sculler plying the still waters of the Squamscott River in Exeter, NH.
    Sculling the Squamscott

    Autumn paints the maples brilliant red, orange, and yellow in this scene along the Squamscott River in Exeter, New Hampshire. A rower propels his sculling boat around the curve of the river as mist rises over the water on this early morning in October.

    The path and waterfront wall are part of Swasey Parkway, a gift to the town of Exeter in 1929 by Ambrose Swasey. This scenic park replaced wharves and warehouses from the shipping trade that was active in the 1800’s.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance; prints are available from my Pixels shop.