Apple Store - New Haven

New Haven, CT

I have used Apple products for quite some time now, and I'm a big fan.  I recently visited this Apple retail store in New Haven to make a purchase and noticed how bright and inviting the store seemed to be in the early evening, which is quite dark this time of the year at 5:30pm.  I have yet to visit an Apple Store anywhere, which isn't busy, no matter what time of day. 

New Haven Evening

New Haven, CT

I don't work too far from New Haven, home of Yale University.  I really need to spend some more time  in this city.  There is so much culture and history here as well as marvelous photo opportunities.  

Saturday Afternoon in Portsmouth

Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth, NH has become one of my favorite cities in New England to visit.  I've been there a number of times and no matter what time of the year, or day of the week I've visited, there is a certain vitality evident in just walking around.  The scene pictured here is pretty typical of what one would find at any time or day.  

Boat House

Falmouth, ME

Casco Bay

Falmouth, ME

Pigeons

Freeport, ME

Pumpkin Portraits

Freeport, ME

This year our weekend in Freeport, ME coincided with a huge Pumpkin Festival.  Part of the festivities involved pumpkin carving, and I heard that about 8000 pumpkins were carved.  At the end of the day, these pumpkins lined all the walkways and the main street in Freeport.  As you can see, all levels of pumpkin carving skills were on display.

Moose and Bear

LLBean, Freeport ME

There are any number of ways one can sign up to go with a noted photographer on a wildlife Safari and learn how to do real nature photography.  As much as I'd love to participate in such an adventure, at this point in my life, I don't have the time nor the resources.  One could visit a local zoo and with some skill and patience capture some wonderful images of animals "in the wild", or at least a reasonable facsimile of being in the wild.  I, on the other hand, wandered around LL Bean in Freeport, ME and found some nice examples of wildlife on display.  These guys were very cooperative and posed nicely.

Cat and Frog

Freeport, ME

I discovered these sculptures on our annual pilgrimage to Freeport, ME to get a start on the holiday shopping season.  This has become an annual ritual for my wife and me.  We stay at a Bed and Breakfast, shop all the stores, have some nice dinners and just have a nice weekend together.  We can't visit Freeport without stopping in the Edgecomb Pottery store, and making a purchase or two.  Not only do they make great pottery, but they have some very interesting sculptures on display.  I wonder if the frog was inspired by Michigan J Frog? 

Federal Cigar

Portsmouth, NH

I don't smoke, and never have, save for one cigar on the occasion of the birth of my first daughter.  For those that do appreciate a good cigar or fine pipe tobacco, I'm sure you can find both here. I thought their sign was pretty unique.   I found this shop on a side street in Portsmouth, NH.

Cannon

Portsmouth, NH

The inscription on the cannon says that it was taken from the British by Commodore Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813.  I'm not sure how it found its way to Portsmouth, NH.

Fort Griswold III

Fort Griswold II

Fort Griswold

Groton, CT

On September 6, 1781 forces under the command of Gen. Benedict Arnold arrived at the mouth of the Thames River.  He dispatched his forces to both sides of the river to attack both the city of New London on the west, and Fort Griswold on the east side of the river.  New London was captured and all properties of "military" significance were burned.  Fort Griswold, under the command of Col. William Ledyard refused to surrender to the advancing British troops.  Eventually the fort was overrun by the British and by some accounts, Col. Ledyard was killed by his own sword, after having surrendered it to the ranking British officer, Major Bromfield.  A massacre ensued resulting in the deaths of 85 of the defenders.  

To commemorate the Battle of Groton Heights, the obelisk was erected between 1826 and 1830.  The fort is preserved pretty much the way it appeared in 1781 and is one of the finest examples of earthen forts which were built in that era still existing today. 

A Little Late......

Portsmouth, NH

I know Halloween is past, but due to hurricane Sandy, I was not able to post this picture earlier in the week.  I had hoped to post a number of "halloween themed" photos this past week, but Sandy had other plans.  Fortunately for us, we had no damage to my property, but we were without power from Monday until today.  Now I'll be able to resume blogging and commenting.  Thanks to everyone who sent their wishes.  Please keep everyone in this part of the country in your thoughts and prayers.  There are many who were not as fortunate.