New England is a four-season paradise, from spring's first apple blossoms to summer's beachside sunsets to autumn's golden glow to winter's icicled trees and wintry slopes. If you can't get away to New England as often as you'd like, scenic calendars can transport you throughout the year to some of New England's best-loved spots. Here are my picks for the best New England calendars for 2010.
1. New England Seasons 2010 Calendar
Photographer William Johnson and I have collaborated on two coffee table books, Backroads of New England and The New England Coast, but even before we worked together, I was always fond of his annual "New England Seasons" calendars. The 2010 edition continues Bill's fine tradition of capturing New England's extraordinary beauty in winter, spring, summer and fall and has the added bonus of two splendid New England images each month.
2. New England Travel & Events Calendar
If you live in New England or visit frequently, this is the calendar for you. In addition to a variety of lovely New England scenes, this calendar features extra travel tidbits and a number of regional events each month. The images are particularly artistic this year; the featured photos brilliantly capture the seasonal variations and classic scenes New Englanders cherish.3. New England Places 2010 Calendar
This calendar focuses on structures in the New England landscape. If you've been to some of the places that photographer Paul Rezendes captures, such as Newport's Cliff Walk, this calendar might make a nice souvenir. And if you haven't, his classic and moving shots will inspire you to dream. I especially like his images of snow-coated covered bridges, New England farms and fall foliage.4. New England Wilderness 2010 Calendar
You'll be able to imagine the New England discovered by the first European settlers with this collection of "wild New England" calendar images by several talented landscape photographers. As densely populated as New England is, this calendar is a wonderful reminder of all that remains unspoiled within this lovely, six-state region. This year's images of a Block Island tidal pool, dawn at Lawrence Brook in Massachusetts, and asters blooming in New Hampshire's Tuckerman Ravine are particularly striking.5. New England Lighthouses 2010 Wall Calendar
This wall calendar is perfect for lighthouse lovers, who will enjoy the variety of seasonal lighthouse scenes, with their rich blue skies and dramatic coastal backdrops. Photographer Philip Wright has captured scenes of New England's famous and lesser known lights from Connecticut to Maine.