Biology & Geology This is a big page with lots of stuff. Outdoor stuff. You won't find nature or Audubon centers here, as they are on the massive museums list. I'll let you sort out whatever else you're looking for. Animals (Aquaria, Zoos, Hatcheries, Wild & Weird Animals) Farms Worth Visiting Plants (Gardens, … [Read more...]
StanChem Fishway
Fishway Stan StanChem Fishway, Berlin Why did I ever begin documenting fishways and fish ladders and lifts? I honestly don't remember. In my defense, a couple of them here and there act as sort of outdoor museums and have displays and open houses and stuff. But that doesn't explain why I went beyond them to … [Read more...]
Essex Shad Bake
Don’t Be Shad Annual Shad Bake, Essex June 2, 20017 If you’re reading this, you likely know that the humble shad is Connecticut’s state fish. You’re probably aware that shad runs in the Connecticut River used to support a huge shad industry. And you may have even eaten shad or its roe. (Growing up, I think … [Read more...]
Mystic Aquarium
Lion(fish) and Tiger(sharks), Oh My! Mystic section of Stonington (Google Maps Location) October 11, 2007, etc. I've been to the Aquarium a few times since the initial visit that most of this page is based upon - and have gained a greater appreciation for it over the years. In 2016, I fixed up the pictures here a … [Read more...]
Rainbow Dam Fishway
Dam Fish! Windsor (Google Maps location) June 4, 2011 For those of you who don't know, and why would you, I am a professional researcher. I create wonderfully exciting reports for various life and health insurance companies on topics such as “Broker and Producer Expectations Under PPACA” and report on things … [Read more...]
West River Fishway (Removed)
Dam, Yo! West River Fishway Behind a Walgreens on Whalley Ave, New Haven In 2015, the dam and fishway were removed - which is a good thing! Fish now have a direct path to get to where they're going. The fish ladder was moved to another river in Connecticut. This is still an interesting story, so I'm not deleting … [Read more...]
Connecticut River Valley Wildlife Museum
Hunting for a Trap, I Found a Museum East Hartford (Google Maps location) Multiple visits Tell me if this hasn't happened to you: You till the soil and plant your vegetable gardens in late spring, your crops burst forth in all their glory, a plague of rabbits burst forth from their hutch under your deck and … [Read more...]
110. Haddam Shad Museum
Shadrach, InnaShack and AwayWeGo Haddam (Google Maps Location) May 31, 2009 I have so much to say about this little museum, I don’t know where to begin. How about I start simple with the following fact: The American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is Connecticut’s state fish. Longtime readers of CTMQ probably already … [Read more...]
100. Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
Don't Dawdle NorWalk Here - Run! Norwalk (Google Maps Location) April 18, 2009 2012 Update: We revisited the aquarium (again, with extended family, this time from Seattle) and were very impressed with the massive new reorganization of the joint - not reflected on this page. Some stuff got shuffled around, but all … [Read more...]
Burlington State Fish Hatchery
Trout Fishing in America Part 2 Burlington Google Maps location March 21, 2008 with March 2018 Update! Part 1 was a visit to the Quinebaug State Trout Hatchery Who doesn't love a nice fish hatchery? C'mon, you know you do. Heck, I apparently love them so much that just a few weeks after visiting the … [Read more...]