I went out to Brenton Point State Park today to watch people fly kites. Brenton Point is the perfect place for this, being where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, so there's always a breeze out there. Today we had a stiff 15 mph/24 kph out of the NW shifting to WSW (while I was there; it probably shifted further to SW later in the afternoon). With the bright blue skies and bright sun, it was a perfect day to be out and enjoying the great outdoors.
There was lots of color up there in the skies today, along with a lot of multi-line kites, which you can make do flips and soar from here to there and back again.
There were also plenty of traditional single line kites, although there was nothing traditional about these shapes! Plenty of color still, you notice.
But the star of the show is a guy who's out there every weekend with his synchronized kites. He has three two-line kites with long, dramatic tails that he puts through their paces. If you think controlling one kite is tough, try controlling three! Here are some shots of what this man can do with three kites.
And of course you can't look at kites without thinking of Mary Poppins and the song "Let's Go Fly a Kite". This version is from the stage musical. Enjoy!
Photos & text © 2009 by A. Roy Hilbinger
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Comments: 19
They sure have a lot of different kites. That looks like lots of fun. You have some great photos. Thanks for sharing them.
Wow-I thought I'd seen all kinds on the beaches in Florida, but I've never seen anyone do the 3 kite thing like that. Very cool, grea essay. I had the song in my head from the minute I saw the title!
Wow, those are some cool looking kites. It was a windy day here today and there were tons of them in the sky from the beach. I didn't go down there today tho.
Very nic elooking kites! We had some wind today here as well~
I never could even get one kite up in the air let alone 3. The triple run kites are amazing as are your pictures.
Patriotic kites...thanks for sharing.
up to the highest hites.....lets all gooooo fly a kite!
Brenton Point is an awesome place for kite flying. We used to take my kids when they were little. Our kites were lame compared to the ones shown here. These kites are so interesting.
I can't imagine trying to control 3 all at once... great pictures
Roy, what a delight!
Some great shots of the kites ,Roy. Also,enjoyed the video.
that one guy would have made a great rhythm gymnast.
Fabulous fun! Thanks, Roy. Featured this week at Home Comfort
what great pictures!! the sound track for the movie mary poppins was the first album i ever owned as a pre-teen. thanks for taking me back. :)
Wow, the stunt kites with the tails are crazy!
It's funny, I had that song running through my mind and then you post it at end. :D
reat Photo Essay! Congratulation on being feature on ~Gather Photographers and Photo Shop Artists Review~!
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Great Photo Essay! Congratulation on being feature on ~Gather Photographers and Photo Shop Artists Review~!
Fantastic photo essay. It's been so long since I have flown a kite, but now I want to!