TENT CATERPILLAR

Continuing on with the insect theme, here is a Tent Caterpillar home. They are just starting to appear around this area now.

SPITTLE BUGS

Now for something different. Did you ever wonder what the stuff on plant was that looks like, well, spit. It is a protective foam of a Spittle Bug. I was looking for something to photograph yesterday and came upon some plants with this foam on them. I knew what is was, but to tell the truth I don't know if I had ever seen a Spittle Bug, so without further ado, ladies and gentleman I give you the Spittle Bug.

Spittle Bug Foam

Another look at Mr. Spittle Bug actually there are two.

FARMALL COUNTRY

My wife and I passed by this line of Farmall tractors and I just had to stop and take some photos. Now this is not a tractor dealer or even a farm, this is someone's front yard who likes Farmall tractors a whole lot. There was even a sign in has yard that said, "Farmall Country".

The location was somewhere between Granby and Barkhamsted CT.

MEMORIAL DAY 2007

Blandford, MA - I took a drive today to see what I could find to photograph. I ended up driving through Blandford and noticed the Historical Society building was open and people were gathering for a parade and speeches. Unfortunately, I brought my dogs with me and it was too hot to sit in the truck so I didn't want to stay for those events.

I did get some photos from inside the Historical Society. The things inside consisted mostly of war artifacts, uniforms, discharge papers, and other war related items. I find it both interesting and sad at the same time that history is mostly related to war.

There was also things made by local craftsman spanning the last two centuries.

MORE FROM CHESTER ON TRACK

Chester MA - Here are some more images from "Chester on Track".


Hanging out at the "Blue Note Cafe".

Here is an Old Hound Dog just watching the world pass by.

A Face Painter.

You could even do rubbings of animal tracks. You can see the Beaver tracks rubbing I did. I had it up on the refrigerator until my wife took it down.

HAZY DAY

This morning the haze on the hills made an interesting pattern. I always want to take a photo if this landscape but not until today was the view good enough.

CHESTER TRAIN STATION

Chester MA, This train station is vintage 1840, ten years from being the country's oldest station. It is also home to many artifacts from the world's first mountian railroad, The Western Railroad. The station is now a museum and can be rented out for events. Info: http://ChesterRailwayStaion.org.

CHESTER ON TRACK - OTHER RAILROAD CARS

Chester MA - These photos are of three other railraod cars at the train museum.


The Blue Caboose is where the food is made, there is a take-out window in the back.

Of course you need a "Dining Car", only this one is made out of a freight car.

This freight car has been turned into a museum.

CHESTER ON TRACK - TRAINS

Chester MA - What would Chester on Track be without trains.

The Old Engine.


The Caboose


Inside the Caboose. You can rent the caboose for an overnight stay, inquire at www.ChesterRailwayStation.Org


Wouldn't you want this bad boy parked in your backyard? Mmmmm chocolate.

ABBOTT-LEIKAM MEMORIAL

Rte. 20 Massachusetts - I saw this building in what looks like a small rest area or turn off. Being the person I am, I stopped to take a look. I really not sure what the building is for, it has two locked doors in the front and not much else. One thing that I found interesting was the plaque on the front that said it was built by the "Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the depression; I bet it has quite the story behind it. So, if anyone knows anything about this building, let me know.

Back to Chester on Track tomorrow.

CHESTER ON TRACK - MASS 10TH CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTORS

Chester MA - Another attraction at Chester on Track 2007 was the Massachusetts 10th Civil War Re-Enactors. You might notice streaks in the photos, it was raining.

Enjoy the photos.


In formation


My nod to Matthew Brady.


Hope they like Sarge!


Seasoned Soldier...Green Kid




Officers!

CHESTER ON TRACK - ENTERTAINMENT

Chester MA - I went to Chester on Track Festival yesterday and will be posting some photos for the next few days.

This was the some of the entertainment that was going on. By the time I got to the Town Hall the Pioneer Valley Fiddlers had ended and the dancers hadn't started yet.

These two guys were next to the train station museum; the guy with the fiddle was also singing. The other guy dressed as a railroad worker was just standing watching the fiddler. He might have sang but not at the time I was there.

If anyone knows there names just leave a comment or send me an e-mail so I can give them credit.

BLANDFORD FIREPERSONS

Blandford, MA - On my way back from "Chester on Track" I passed through Blandford and was flagged down and asked if I would like to donate to the Blandford Fire Department. I dropped a small donation in the boot and asked if I could take their photo which they obliged.

TRILLIUM TWO

Chester MA - This is a white/yellow trillium I saw on the way up to the quarry I posted about a few days ago.

Sorry I've missed a few days posting, but work has been getting in my way.

CHESTER ON TRACK

Chester MA - This weekend May 19, 2007, there will be big doings. At the Chester Railway museum there will be a train show, Civil War Reinactments, Historic Stone Works, Pioneer Valley Live Steamers, locomotive tours and a parade(and many more things to numerous to list here). So if you are into trains or just a good time, take a trip to Chester.

More info: www.ChesterRailwayStation.Org or (413)354-7878

ABANDONED TRUCK AT THE QUARRY

Beckett MA - This is one of the trucks left behind when they closed the quarry.

BECKETT QUARRY AND FOREST

Beckett, MA - This is the former Hudson-Chester Quarry which was active from the 1850's to the 1960's. Stone from this quarry was sent by train to near by Chester MA and Hudson, NY for polishing. This stone was used mostly for gravestones and monuments.

In 1999 a stone company wanted to purchase this quarry and resume the operation. A group from the town, not wanting the noise and activity bought the land and donated it to the land trust. It is now an an extensive day hiking area, free to all.

The next three photos are of the quarry. It is said that there is still a crane under the water. The area around the quarry still has much of the old equipment. I will be posting photos of those later in the week.

I almost didn't get these photos. I tried to find this quarry by hiking up the trail, I didn't pay close attention to how far it was. Well, I went a ways and then turned around. At the bottom I saw these four young women who had just come back from the quarry and told me it was not far and it was worth the hike. So I went back up and about two hundred feet past where I turned around was the quarry. They also told me about some other areas which I will be posting shortly.








This is a Guy Derrick high above the quarry. That dark spot above the derrick is a black fly on my lens. If you hike this time of year, bring your bug spray.

MASKED DONKEY

This must be a new twist to "Pin the Tail on the Donkey";the donkey is blind folded.

This is actually a fly mask to keep the Black Flies out of their eyes; I especially like the ears.

GRAVESTONE GATE HOLDER

I noticed this gravestone made into a portion of the stone wall. It has become a anchor stone to attach the gate to. I just hope it was a reject not just the first thing that would work. There is one on the other side also.

SPRING LEAVES

Continuing with the Spring theme, here are leaves just starting to come out to be bathed by the morning sun.

TRILLIUM

FURRY FIDDLEHEADS

Early Spring is when the fiddlehead ferns start to come out. These seem exceptionally furry.