Simon Pond
Simon Pond is a quiet, reflective body of water formed by the flood plain of the Raquette River, surrounded by the dense Adirondack forest that frames nearly every composition with layered treelines and open sky. The contrast between the shallow, weedy western flats and the deeper open bays on the eastern side gives you real variety to work with, from intimate foreground details like lily pads and marsh grasses to wider, mirror-like reflections across the calmer eastern water. Sunrise is the clear standout here, when low mist often sits on the surface and warm light catches the tree line, so plan to arrive before first light and set up along the eastern shore for the best glow. A medium telephoto in the 70-200mm range helps compress the treeline reflections, while a wide angle works well when the water is glassy. The area is accessible by a short paddle or canoe launch, so bringing a kayak opens up the best mid-pond angles. (Tupper Lake, New York, United States)
