Tree

McCook Point Park, Niantic, CT

I don't think a photograph really captures the majesty of this tree.   It really captures my eye whenever I visit this park.  In fact, I've featured this tree before, here.  That earlier picture was taken in the fall, just as the leaves were beginning to fall.  Back then I thought the tree was a European Beech tree, but I'm still not exactly sure.  I'll have to wait for the spring and summer, when the tree has some leaves to make a positive ID.  

Niantic Bay Boardwalk

November 2011

March 2013

March 2013

The Niantic Bay Boardwalk was closed after Hurricane Irene hit Connecticut in August 2011.  Even though only a tropcial storm when it came ashore in Connecticut, it still caused a lot of damage along the coastline here.  The first picture taken in November 2011 shows the boardwalk then.  It doesn't look like the boardwalk was damaged all that much.  Nevertheless it must have been unsafe and as a result it was closed.  Since then Hurricane Sandy also caused a lot more damage along the shoreline and as can be seen the boardwalk suffered some more damage.  It remains closed.  I'm not sure when it will re-open.

Driftwood and Dumbbell

Niantic, CT

It's always fascinating to walk along any beach just to see what has been washed ashore.  Driftwood is  pretty common sight, but I don't think I've ever seen a dumbbell before.  I wonder where it came from.  It obviously has seen better days

Rocky Shore

McCook Point Park, Niantic, CT

Although there are some sandy beaches along the Connecticut coastline most of the shoreline is rocky. Often times one can see exposed bedrock, eroded by the glaciers which covered the state over 14,000 years ago.  Since the shoreline here is protected to the south by Long Island, the action of the waves has done little to erode the bedrock.  In other places one can see the what the glaciers left behind, as shown above.  

McCook Marker and Reference Mark

McCook Point Park, Niantic, CT

There is a sense of permanence to anything attached to bedrock, at least on a human time scale.  These markers were found close to one another at McCook Point Park.  The first remembers John James McCook who was a rector of St John's Episcopal Church in East Hartford back in 1869.  He would spend summers here and purchased the land back in the late 1800's.  Today the land is owned by the city of East Lyme and is maintained as a park.

The second marker is a reference mark used in obtaining precise measurements for land surveying.  From what I was able to quickly learn by a search of the web, this reference mark is pointing to a main base station or triangulation station.  The next time I'm visiting the park, I'll have to see if I can find the base station marker.  I'm sure both markers will be here for many, many years.

Overlooking Crescent Beach

McCook Point Park, Niantic, CT

Although the temperatures were still in the mid 30's and there was a good breeze coming off Long Island Sound, at least the sun was shining and there was blue sky.  Maybe spring will come to Connecticut soon.  This tree stands guard over Crescent Beach and must be pretty hardy, having survived two major tropical storms and this year's blizzard.  

Wine Barrel

Jonathan Edwards Winery

North Stonington, CT

Ready for Spring

Niantic, CT

I've always felt that boats need to be in the water.  When seen like this, they look sort of unhappy.  This one, though, looks like it's ready for spring.

Sculpture-Two Views

Connecticut College, New London, CT

This sculpture adorns the entrance to Castle Court,  the site of the yesterday's post. I think the buildings surrounding the court yard house the visual and performing art departments at Connecticut College.  I would like to think this sculpture represents a dancer.

Bronze Sculpture

Connecticut College, New London, CT

I found this interesting sculpture on the campus of Connecticut College.  The piece makes sense once one reads the title of the sculpture.  The college was originally founded as Connecticut College for Women in 1911.  The name was changed in 1969, close to the date when this sculpture was created, when the college began to admit men.   The sculpture seems very appropriate.

Empty Docks

Niantic, CT

It won't be long before each of these slips will be occupied by a boat of some sort.  In the absence of any boats, the posts did make for an interesting reflection.  You can find many more interesting reflections by visiting Weekend Reflections hosted by James.  Enjoy the weekend! 

"There's no need to fear......."

Niantic, CT

Those of us who grew up back in the 60's and early 70's can complete the title of this post.  This is a very unique boat and certainly one I have not seen before. Usually you can tell by looking what type of boat  it is, whether it be a pleasure craft, a fishing boat, a tugboat, or dredger.  I have no idea what this boat is used for.  It must have some very specific use necessary for bridge building or bridge demolition.  I can see this boat coming to the rescue, but exactly what type of rescue, I'm not sure.  

Blackhawk

Niantic, CT

It appears that each of the charter fishing companies here try to out do each other in adorning their offices.   I've never done any fishing on a charter boat, but it's something I'm going to try one of these days.  I certainly have a number of choices here in Niantic.  I think I'll chose a charter fishing trip based more on what the boat looks like rather than how colorful their offices are.

Capt. John's

Niantic, CT

Here's another of the many charter boat businesses that operate out of the Niantic River.  I like the rustic, weathered look of this building.

Shed

Niantic, CT

On my walk near the Niantic River, I ran across this shed containing some equipment and two office chairs.  There has been a lot of construction in this area the last couple of years as Amtrak has been building a new railroad bridge across the river and also removing the old bridge.  I would imagine this shed had some purpose at one time to support all the construction, but now it has out lived its usefulness.   I obeyed the warning sign posted, and didn't trespass.  I found the writing on the door quite humorous though.