Followup to my own report. Today (Nov. 4) we spent time driving within about 30 miles of Stowe, Vermont. In the morning, we went to Kissing Bridge (also has a couple of other names), one of the covered bridges of Vermont. There was a little pool about 10 feet in diameter on some rocks just downstream from the bridge. The reflections from surrounding trees looked great. About a minute after we arrived, a group of about 6 photographers and a leader showed up (so we figured it was definitely a hot spot). To my amazement, one of the group went into my shot and started scooping leaves out of the water to "improve" the shot he had planned. This is the first time I have ever run into a rude photographer in my travels over the last 8 years. I made a loud comment, "You aren't the only photographer here!" and he stopped, but not sure he appreciated the break in etiquette. I proceeded to get a bunch of really cool shots (I think, haven't checked them on the laptop yet), and noticed as soon as we left he started scooping more leaves out of the water. Regardless of whether you think rearranging nature is a legitimate approach, my thought was that he was so intent on getting "the" shot of the bridge, that he didn't notice the marvelous opportunities in front of him using the arrangement that occurred naturally.
Later in the day we visited some other covered bridges, which were interesting, but none had the outstanding opportunity we found at Kissing Bridge. The color seemed a little better in Stowe today, but extremely focal and did not lend itself to broader vistas. Virtually all of the good shots we have gotten in the last two days involved water/fall color reflections, and we really had to search for those.
