More Steam Engines

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

Antique engines just look better when rendered in black and white.  Just sayin'.....

Antique Steam Engines

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

Evinrudes

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

Just a couple of the antique marine engines on display at this year's Antique Marine Engine Expo held at Mystic Seaport.  Evinrude has been producing outboard engines since 1907.  Although now a part of a Canadian company, Evinrude continues to build outboard engines today in Sturtevant, WI.

Queen of the Puppets

UCONN, Storrs, CT  2015

Isn't she great!  People of all ages love puppets.  She was certainly the center of attention during the pageant and was having a great time.  You're never too old.

More Puppets

UCONN, Storrs, CT  2015

I don't I've ever seen so many puppets in once place.  The parade culminated with all the puppet animals marching around the town square.  I know there was a story being told and there really was method too all the apparent madness these pictures depict.  Everyone had a great time. 

Puppeteers

UCONN Storrs, CT  2015

I think if everyone in the world carried around a puppet, the world would be a much happier place.  I talked with a few of the attendees at the Puppet Festival, or should I say I talked to their puppets.  Needless to say it was a bit confusing, and in that confusion, I neglected to get any names or stories behind the puppets and puppeteers.  I need to do a much better job of getting a little more information when I venture into the area of actually making portraits.

Let the Parade Begin

UCONN, Storrs, CT  3015

Everyone standing around watching the puppets get organized for their big pageant was recruited to participate.  Who doesn't like walking in a parade?  Anyone who wanted to carry a puppet or a banner became part of the festivities.

Tall Puppets

UCONN, Storrs, CT  2015

There were some pretty tall puppets in the pageant, like these fellows here.  The temperatures that day were hovering around 90℉ so it must have been pretty hot wearing these puppets.  I found them standing in the shade before the start of puppet parade, trying to stay cool. 

Puppets

UCONN, Storrs, CT  2015

If you mention the University of Connecticut to anyone in this state and they immediately think of the  outstanding women's and men basketball programs.  But in addition to their athletic programs and academics, UCONN has a world renown program in the field of puppet arts. The university is the home to the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry. Recently the Puppet Arts Program hosted an international conference on puppet arts, which culminated with a pageant featuring some pretty fanciful puppets.  I never knew you could get a BA degree in puppetry.  

Naluark

Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT  2015

Mystic Aquarium is home to three beluga whales housed in an outdoor 750,000 gallon pool covering about one acre.  I think this is Naluark, the largest beluga whale on exhibit here weighing in at over 2100 lbs.  He was born in 1986 and is just a little over 13 feet in length.  

Clown Fish

Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT  2015

It's difficult to get good pictures inside an aquarium.  Flash photography was not allowed.  I guess it upsets the fish.  So with my camera at ISO 800, and wide open at f 1/8,  I snapped this fellow at 1/40th of a second.  These fish don't sit still for portraits.

Fish!

Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT  2015

I used to maintain a home aquarium, both while growing up and later as an adult.  Mine wasn't nearly elaborate as the aquariums on display at Mystic Aquarium.  It's hard to get good pictures of fish under the lighting conditions available.  I think this turned out pretty well.  Flash photography was not allowed.

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic, CT  2015

There is another major attraction in Mystic, in addition to Mystic Seaport.  Recently I had a chance to visit the Mystic Aquarium and found it to be pretty interesting.  There are a number of nice exhibits inside depicting all sorts of marine life. 

Fenced In

Waterford, CT  2015

I've always wondered about large tracts of land or property that is fenced in, but not really totally secure.  I could have easily walked around this fence and walked the property.  From what I could see, there was really nothing on this property, but whoever owns it didn't want people walking back there.  I think that at one time there was an airport located on this property, but I could see no signs of one from where I stood.  The land is for sale, however, complete with the fence. 

Exit 82

Waterford, CT  2015

I thought there might be a picture here so I snapped a number of photos. Perhaps I was wrong.   Taken not far from yesterday's post, I thought this was a unique view of I-95 just a little west of New London, CT.  Traffic is always heavy along I-95.

End of the Road

Waterford, CT  2015

Circus Train

Essex, CT  2015

These circus wagons were on display at the Essex Steam Train yard, all mounted on flatcars, probably as a display of how circuses would travel years ago.  

Ol' 97

Essex, CT  2015

Muddy Waters Cafe

New London, CT

This place has become my favorite coffee joint in New London.  I heartily recommend visiting if you're ever in New London.  Along with coffee they offer pastries, breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches.  A porch in the back affords out door dining with a nice view of the harbor.  Inside you'll find antique chairs, tables, board games, books, photos and lots of memorabilia all related to the history of New London.  

El Galeon Andalcucia

New London, CT  2015

A recent visitor to New London harbor was the El Galeon Andalucia, an authentic wooden replica of a Spanish galleon.  These sailing ships were part of the Spanish fleet sailing the West Indies over 500 years ago.

Seaport Street

Mystic CT, 2015

Partners

Mystic, CT  2015

Solidtude

Mystic, CT  2015

I'll be taking a break from blogging for a few days. I should be back on Monday, Aug 10.  

Anne and Subito

Mystic, CT  2015

Antique Boat Rendezvous

Mystic, CT  2015

Just a few of the boats on display at this year's Antique Boat Rendezvous held at Mystic Seaport.  

Emma C. Berry

Mystic, CT   2015

Mystic River Moorings

Mystic, CT  2015