If you’ve been following my photos and travels over the past few years, you know that I adore Peirce Island and the boat ramp that aims towards the historic homes lining the waterfront on the South End. Today’s image is no exception, a gift from one of the late afternoons I decided to stop by to see what the skies had in store.
One of the largest and most beautiful stretches of green space in Portsmouth is quietly tucked behind the Moffatt Ladd House on Market Street. The first time that I saw this lush garden – it really struck me at how long and expansive the historic lot was – since I’d only really seen the main historic building and carriage house from the streetfront. Buildings on The Hill can be seen at the upper left corner while the Piscataqua River Bridge can be seen off in the distance at top right.
The Memorial Bridge stands tall above the rooflines of downtown Portsmouth. This shot, from the balcony of 100 Market Street, highlights a variety of buildings – both new and old – and some perspective on one of the hot topics in town these days (building heights). St. John’s Church tower also stands tall in the frame with its instantly identifiable yellow and green colors.
Over the years I’ve enjoyed trying new things with photography, as technology now provides an incredible amount of opportunities to refine the raw product of a photo. Lately I find myself more drawn to the cleaner look and feel of the natural environments in an image, partly due to the colors and tones in the sky at sunset and the appearance of water.
In this particular shot, the Harbour Feature is docked at the State Pier after colliding with the Sarah Long Bridge. In just a few more weeks, the bridge should be operational following millions in repairs.
One of the areas in Portsmouth that has undergone the most change is the South End. This picturesque part of town used to be one of the seediest areas along the waterfront, hard to imagine with so many perfectly manicured homes. I love the rooftop advertising on this waterfront building, along with the layers of homes along the shore, the clocktower of the former Children’s Museum location, complete with a municipal water pumping station hidden in plain sight amongst it all.
After an intense afternoon of thunderstorms, the Portsmouth skyline is sandwiched between beautiful clouds and their reflections in the PIscataqua River. The North Church and the Memorial Bridge are visible in the distance.
The South End glows in the early morning sunlight with rich reds and oranges, giving the historic homes on the waterfront a distinct atmosphere.
