Go Fly a Kite!

[FrankMi]

Sometimes, you just want to go out and have fun. Such was the case for a group of kite enthusiasts at Bug Light Park in Southern Portland, Maine. I'll post a Lighthouse series later and include the lighthouses mentioned in this thread, but for now.....

I could see the kites from the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and realized that at that distance some of them must have been huge.



I meandered over to Bug Light Park (no, no, not BUD Light, although I can't get that out of my head). Bug Light, officially known as the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse was built in 1875 and is one of Maine's most elegant lighthouses. Though modeled on an ancient Greek monument, it was built with plates of cast iron. It was dubbed "Bug Light" due to its small size.

The nearly 9 acre park was the site of major shipbuilding activity during WWII. An estimated 30,000 people were employed here from 1941-1945 building liberty ships for the New England Shipbuilding Corp. Today, Bug Light Park is a popular destination for picnicking, boating and kite flying.

Kites of all kinds and sizes can be see here. One of the smallest I saw was in the shape of a tri-wing plane.



Some were very elaborate and colorful with extremely long tails.



Others were in very unexpected shapes for a kite. There were several flying fish. It was interesting to see that some of the kites, like this fish, were actually tied to the control line of a much larger kite above.



There were kites with streamers that went along the control line from the ground all the way up to the height of the kite.

This serpentine kite was one of the largest one I saw.



The one kind of kite I did not see was the typical simple paper kite I flew as a kid!

I hope you enjoy the images and get to thinking about flying your own kite!

[bnnrcn]

Thanks for sharing so interesting kite images Frank. I never flew a kite like those when I was a kid because the typical simple paper kite was the only option. It is nice to see how lucky kids are nowadays

[Shadowman]

Nice series, looked like a fun outing.

[Rebel]

I like these

Numbers 3 & 5 my favourites.

[Dave Humphries]

There were several flying fish. It was interesting to see that some of the kites, like this fish, were actually tied to the control line of a much larger kite above.

Fish; not being noted for 'great' aerodynamic properties, probably need 'a tow' to get them up there

Good series with an interesting story Frank.

I get the feeling no-one builds their own kites these days

Mind you, from memory, I had a kit 'box' kite when I was a kid, although that was after building a few of the classic diamond shape things with a couple of sticks in.

Thanks, Dave

[FrankMi]

Thanks for sharing so interesting kite images Frank. I never flew a kite like those when I was a kid because the typical simple paper kite was the only option. It is nice to see how lucky kids are nowadays

LOL! I talked to several of the 'kids' flying these kites. Some of them are retired and live in Maine during the Summer and are heading to Florida to try to find some snow to shovel for the next six months! If they can't find any snow, oh well, that's the breaks!

[FrankMi]

Thank you for taking an interest in the kites, John and Matt!

Fish; not being noted for 'great' aerodynamic properties, probably need 'a tow' to get them up there

Good series with an interesting story Frank.

I get the feeling no-one builds their own kites these days

Mind you, from memory, I had a kit 'box' kite when I was a kid, although that was after building a few of the classic diamond shape things with a couple of sticks in.

Thanks, Dave

I certainly didn't see any of the paper or box kites like I used to make and play with. There were all cloth and wire and looked like they were professionally made. I think I saw at least three of the fish kites.

Here is another style - kind of a banner kite...

[IzzieK]

I like shot #3 Frank...hubby and I used to fly hand made kites at St. Kilda's beach during autumn and the wind is just beautiful and strong. That was almost a lifetime ago -- in my late 20's. It was fun. Going to the sailing shops where we buy offcuts of materials they use for boat sails is fun too. Carbon fibers at the time were just coming out and still very expensive so I went for fiberglass for sticks. They are hard on the hands but it is OK once they are on the fabric.

[bnnrcn]

Lucky retired kids then .

LOL! I talked to several of the 'kids' flying these kites. Some of them are retired and live in Maine during the Summer and are heading to Florida to try to find some snow to shovel for the next six months! If they can't find any snow, oh well, that's the breaks!

[FrankMi]

I like shot #3 Frank...hubby and I used to fly hand made kites at St. Kilda's beach during autumn and the wind is just beautiful and strong. That was almost a lifetime ago -- in my late 20's. It was fun. Going to the sailing shops where we buy offcuts of materials they use for boat sails is fun too. Carbon fibers at the time were just coming out and still very expensive so I went for fiberglass for sticks. They are hard on the hands but it is OK once they are on the fabric.

From what I see in kites today, anyone that can design kites like these has a special artistic talent!

[purplehaze]

Delightful, Frank. I have fond memories of kite flying. Should take it up again. Please tell me that it wasn't just retirees flying these; I'd like to think some kids are doing something other than playing video games.

[Kaye Leggett]

My husband was bought a kite for his last birthday (59th) - it is stored in our motorhome as apparently no motorhome is complete without one ! I have tried photographing it, it's very difficult, so well done Frank for such clear sharp shots. Last time I tired I gave up, but did capture the face of one very big kid......

[FrankMi]

Delightful, Frank. I have fond memories of kite flying. Should take it up again. Please tell me that it wasn't just retirees flying these; I'd like to think some kids are doing something other than playing video games.

There were younger adults flying kites there but the kids, mostly under 10 years old, seemed to be on-lookers. I didn't see any simple kites or teenagers at this location.

[FrankMi]

My husband was bought a kite for his last birthday (59th) - it is stored in our motorhome as apparently no motorhome is complete without one ! I have tried photographing it, it's very difficult, so well done Frank for such clear sharp shots. Last time I tired I gave up, but did capture the face of one very big kid......

Big kid's expression while flying a kite - priceless! For the cost of the kite, there's credit cards!