Whale Dance: This was taken last summer, in almost the middle of nowhere, just off I-89 in Randolph VT. It was a spectacularly beautiful day. Processed in PhotoLab. It required local...

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

This was taken last summer, in almost the middle of nowhere, just off I-89 in Randolph VT. It was a spectacularly beautiful day. Processed in PhotoLab. It required local adjustments to the whales to bring out details, the removal of a few small distracting objects in the background, and some general contrast and sharpening edits. The sky that day was just beautiful. The sculpture is probably around 25 feet or so in height. I'm just guessing. I thought you guys would like to see something a bit unusual. I hope I didn't already post this one. Enjoy

(Download)

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I really like coastal Vermont.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Pretty cool, thanks!

"Reverence is a sculpture in Vermont created by Jim Sardonis in 1989 that depicts two tails of whales "diving" into a sea of grass. It is meant to symbolize the fragility of the planet. The tails were made from 36 tons of African black granite and stand 12 to 13 feet tall."

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

DirtFarmer wrote:

I really like coastal Vermont.

Ummm???

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I've driven by it often. It's one of my favorite sculptures of familiar things in unexpected places.

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Linda From Maine wrote:

Ummm???

I think that was a joke.

Andy

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

AndyH wrote:

I think that was a joke.

Andy

The possibility came to mind, but too late. Slow but trainable...thanks Andy!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks for sharing this unusual sight!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Linda From Yakima wrote:

Ummm???

Have been to Vermont frequently, but never saw whales in Lake Champlain

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

DirtFarmer wrote:

I really like coastal Vermont.

By coastal VT, I assume you mean the part of it bordering Lake Champlain. Randolph is more or less in the center of the state.

EDIT: On a second reading I realized you were making a joke because of the image of whales diving. I'm a little slow. Duh!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Linda From Maine wrote:

Pretty cool, thanks!

"Reverence is a sculpture in Vermont created by Jim Sardonis in 1989 that depicts two tails of whales "diving" into a sea of grass. It is meant to symbolize the fragility of the planet. The tails were made from 36 tons of African black granite and stand 12 to 13 feet tall."

Thanks Linda. It's the same artist, but a different sculpture. Reverence, created in 1989, was made of granite and was located for a number of years on the I-89 grassy center median just outside of Burlington VT. We saw it each summer on our way to our vacation spot in Smuggler's Notch VT. This newer sculpture, made of bronze, is bigger, although not as tall as I guessed. It was erected in 2019 in Randolph VT. If you look at the bottom of the right most sculpture it, you will see the title "Whale Dance" inscribed on it.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

AndyH wrote:

I've driven by it often. It's one of my favorite sculptures of familiar things in unexpected places.

Andy

This new bronze sculpture was installed in Randolph in 2019. You may be thinking of the earlier granite one by the same artist which was similar looking and smaller in size. It was located for many years on I-89 just outside of Burlington. For obvious reasons, people easily confuse the two works.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

mwsilvers wrote:

Thanks Linda. It's the same artist, but a differen... (show quote)

Thanks Mark, I was too reckless with my Googling

Glad to have your very interesting photo to discuss!

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

mwsilvers wrote:

This new bronze sculpture was installed in Randolph in 2019. You may be thinking of the earlier granite one by the same artist which was similar looking and smaller in size. It was located for many years on I-89 just outside of Burlington. For obvious reasons, people easily confuse the two works.

I've seen both. The whales are so unexpected and so beautiful. I initially thought the photo was of the earlier installation, but they are both amazing. I love the sculptor.

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

deleted - double post