EAST OTIS RESERVOIR

 
East Otis, MA – I was told that East Otis Reservoir was the second largest body of water for recreational use. If nothing else it looks very nice.


Enjoy 

PINK FLOWERS – TICKS

 
Bloomfield, CT - I went out one day to the reservoir in Bloomfield to see if I could find some interesting things to take photos of. I took a few, some things I had posted earlier. I came upon these flowers and thought they would make a nice photograph. These were just off the path and I went closer to take the photo. Well…when I got back to the office I found I had 4 ticks on me; one on my arm and three in my hair. So, I guess I better post it for all the trouble I got in taking it. Remember, Connecticut is the home of Lyme disease.


ENJOY 

THE WANDERING MOOSE CAFE

 
West Cornwall, CT - Judging by the crowd, this is a very popular place to eat in West Cornwall, to tell the truth there is not many choices. But, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Years ago my wife and I used to go to this restaurant for breakfast when it was under a different name and management. The ride alone was worth it. Sometimes we would cross the covered bridge and ride along to river to the town of Cornwall Bridge, not to be confused with the Covered Bridge which is in West Cornwall.



Enjoy 

WEST CORNWALL COVERED BRIDGE

 
West Cornwall, CT - This is the covered bridge in West Cornwall that spans the Housatonic River. I'm sure I will be back to take another photo of this bridge, perhaps in the Fall.


Enjoy 

NEW LONDON COURTHOUSE

 
New London, CT - This courthouse was built in 1784 to replace the one burnt down during the British Raid of 1781. The building was designed by Issac Fitch, Connecticut's first professional architect. It served as a hospital during the 1798 Yellow Fever epidemic and later, as a place for lectures, concerts, church services, political rallies, abolitionist meetings, and for the retrieval for the Civil War dead. Such orators as Daniel Webster argued constitutional questions within its galleries. One of America's oldest courthouse it is still in use today.

Info from: Exploring New London handout.

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BUTTERFLY ON RHODODENDRON

 
No words necessary.



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MURAL IN NEW LONDON

 
While walking the streets in New London I saw this mural painted on a wall of a building. It seems to have an ocean theme or it is very erotic, depending on where your head is at. Decide for your self, I only take the photos :-)



Enjoy 

BEAVER

 
On the way home last week I saw this beaver walking across the road. I pulled over quickly and grabbed my camera. Unfortunatley, another car was coming from the other direction and scared him so he jumped in the water and all I got was a few photos of the beaver swimming. Oh well, better luck next time.



Enjoy 

OFF TO ALASKA FISHING

 
Yes, it is about that time of year when I take my annual pilgrimage to Alaska to visit my friend and get in some heavy duty fishing. This photo is my friend Dan packing out our catch of the day. Believe me; you don't want to carry 50 or 60 pounds of fish on a rope for any distance, especially having to carry your gear also. A long raincoat is a must unless you like fish blood and slime down your back. Here is a safety tip...walk far ahead of the guy carrying the fish; the bears will grab him first!

I have photos cued up for my wife to post while I am gone.

See you around the 2nd of July.

Wish me luck! 

BANK STREET ROADHOUSE

 
New London, CT - I was down in New London walking around the town on one of my photo hunts and saw this sign painted on a wall. It looked interesting so here it is. The only thing I could find about "Big Daddy" was at this website, you know taught the secret recipe by head hunters, etc. you know, same old, same old. About the Bank Street Roadhouse, when I went to their site it looked like quite the party place, don't believe me...go here. 

ISRAEL PUTNAM

 
Hartford, CT – This is a statue of the famous Israel Putnam. He lived quite an interesting life; the stuff that folklore is made of. He fought in the French and Indian War and was a General in the Revolutionary War. You might know him for his famous quote quoted on Breeds Hill, “Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes”. Instead of trying to summarize what I read about him, go to this web page and read some interesting things about Israel Putnam. www.curbstone.org 

ISRAEL PUTNAM'S FINAL RESTING PLACE

 
Brooklyn, CT - A few days after taking the photo of the Israel Putnam statue in front of the Connecticut State Capital I want to Brooklyn, CT on business and I saw this statue. Since I always bring my camera every where I go, I took some photos. I did not know it at the time but this is the final resting place of Israel Putnam. He was originally buried in the ground but then later put into the base of this statue honoring him. 

CORNING FOUNTAIN

 
Hartford, CT (Bushnell Park) - This fountain was designed by James Massey Rhind of New York. It was erected in 1899 and presented to Hartford by John Corning, of Corning Glass Works, as a tribute to his father who operated a grist mill on the same site. The fountain is made of marble and stone and stands 30 feet high. I believe the statues are bronze.
In the background is the Connecticut State Capital building.


Enjoy 

 
The top of the fountain is a stag or "Hart" for Hartford. Under that are four Indian Maidens.


Enjoy. 

SAUKIOG INDIANS

 
Thes photo and the next two are "stylized" version of what the Saukiog Indians looked like. I read somewhere that an expert said that they would not have looked like that, unfortuately I could'nt find the site again.



Enjoy 

 
They might not be authentic but they have great detail.


Enjoy 

 
This is the last of the Mohegans er...Saukiogs.




Enjoy 

HOUSATONIC RIVER - DANGER

 
The Housatonic River runs from approximately Pittsfield MA, through Connecticut and flows into Long Island Sound. You can see canoeist getting ready to run the rapids and on the left bank you can see some fisherman. It is one of the most beautiful rivers I have seen. But the problem is, this is one of the most polluted rivers in the country. Between 1932 and 1977, General Electric dumped, accidentally or deliberately, PCB’s into the river. Estimates range from 20 to 750 tons of PCB’s in their plant just south of Pittsfield MA. About 10 miles south of the plant is the Wood Pond Dam which has trapped a lot of the PCB’s. “The EPA found that people consuming Housatonic River fish and waterfowl, especially above the dam, are up to 1000 times more likely to be stricken with cancer and other maladies, such as reproductive problems.” Ducks that live on the river are also contaminated with PCB’s. “Average concentrations in these waterfowl are more than 200 times EPA’s tolerance level for human consumption and there carcasses must be handled as HAZARDOUS WASTE.”

Info: www.americanrivers.org 

OLD LOG

 
Here is anold log with mushrooms growing all over it.



Enjoy 

SNAPPING TURTLE

 
Every year about this time the Snapping Turtles come out of the water. I believe it is when the females lay their eggs. I saw this turtle on the side of the road so I stopped and took its photo. A week or so ago I saw a HUGE Snapper on the side of the road but I didn't get a photo



Enjoy 

 
The turtle had enough of me taking its photo, so it turned around and walked back to the water.


Enjoy 

MORE BUSHNELL PARK CAROUSEL PHOTOS

 
Here is a horse wearing carved roses. Now you have to remember all these horses are HAND CARVED. They are not some fiberglass reproductions, these are the real McCoy.



Enjoy 

 
Another one of the horses. 

 
One of the chariots on the carousel, check out that carved dragon.

If anyone would like a great idea for a party, the carousel can be rented out. 

 
Not only is the merry-go-round beautiful, so are the windows. The building is surrounded by stained glass windows.




Enjoy