Monday, August 31, 2009

in the park



Whenever I'm in Central Park, I feel like
I'm in a valley surrounded by tall
mountains. The tallest "mountain" here
is at Fifth Avenue and 59th St.
If you're going to visit the park, 
this might be helpful.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Shadow Shot Sunday



We were collecting firewood to build a bonfire
on the beach in East Hampton.  My young friend
Brandon—who thinks big—was a huge help!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

unusual pets



Okay, it's not exactly cuddly (and I hope
they're not expecting those plastic 
gloves to protect them from its claws), 
but these kids look pretty happy 
with their short-lived new pet.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Skywatch Friday



Does it count if you can't actually see the
sky in a Skywatch Friday shot? I hope so.
This one is reflected in this car parked on
St. Mark's Place in the heart of the East
Village, on a sunny summer afternoon.

[See more Skywatch shots here.]

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Marilyns




I haven't yet found out who's responsible for
these would-be Monroes: Madonna, Angelina,
even Mr. Spock. These are in the far West Village,
once a cool neighborhood but now becoming
über-hip. Haven't seen them anywhere else,
but I do like them.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

abc wednesday - F is for "flea market"



This one's the Marché aux Puces,
in Paris.  Back in the sixties I found
some incredible bargains here.
My best buy?  After some serious
haggling, I snagged a 19th-century
purple velvet cape for 50 francs ($10).
Think those days are long gone, but
it's still fun to look.

[Go here for more abc wednesday shots.]

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Manhattan Bridge



Well, the very tippy-top, anyway—as seen 
from the Brooklyn side. Just realized 
that this bridge will be 100 years old this 
year.  Not as "sexy" as its closest counterpart, 
the Brooklyn Bridge, but even more useful, 
since it carries cars, pedestrians, 
AND subway trains.

Monday, August 24, 2009

storm surf

This little guy couldn't resist the huge
swells created by Hurricane Bill as it
heads for Canada's Maritime Provinces
(at this point—two days ago—the storm
was about 900 miles away but already
making itself felt with huge swells 
and strong rip currents). 

Despite the No Swimming sign, there were
lifeguards on duty and they were letting us 
have SOME fun. The minute anyone waded in 
above their waist, though, you'd hear the whistle.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Shadow Shot Sunday



One more from Out East:
Sand dunes are well protected in Montauk
(at the very tippy-tip of Long Island).
And that's definitely a good thing—I can't
imagine the beaches without them.
Check out more shadow shots here.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

NY Sightseeing



Took this shot WAY downtown, when I was
on my way to catch the Staten Island Ferry.
(BTW, daughter Katie works in this building.)
Have often thought it would be interesting to
take one of these buses, just to see what new
things I might learn about my hometown.  Have 
you ever taken a sightseeing tour where you live?

Friday, August 21, 2009

Skywatch Friday


It's great to come down to the beach at

dusk, dig a pit and build a fire, and toast
a marshmallow or two while you listen
to the sound of the surf. Bonus: Then it
gets dark and the stars appear. So, are
you a beach person too?

[See more Skywatch shots here.]

Thursday, August 20, 2009

seaweed



I love EVERYTHING about the beach:
shells underfoot, sand in your suit,
pesky seagulls that want your lunch, and 
this stuff —which we turned into
"mermaid hair" when we were little.
(Okay, not that fond of green flies
and jellyfish, but who is?)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

abc wednesday - E is for "ephemeral"



One puff of breath or small breeze and
it's history—so let's appreciate its fragile
beauty while it's still here.

[You can find more abc wednesday shots here.]

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Montauk



I'm out here visiting good friends
for a few days—beach, hot tub, chillin' 
on the deck, a 973-page book, no 
deadlines (yay!!), and maybe even lobster! 
(The first timeI came to Gosman's Dock—which
also has some good restaurants—the 
first people I saw were Gloria
Vanderbilt and Truman Capote!)

Monday, August 17, 2009

tourist central



Must admit that I often roll my eyes
at what I think of as "tourist junk."
On the other hand, here's part of
my Eiffel Tower collection. So what's
the difference really?

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Shadow Shot Sunday



Caught this meeting of two shadows 
in Grand Central Terminal, 
where everyone always seems to
 be in a big hurry.

[See more shadow shots here.]

Saturday, August 15, 2009

stomp!



I'd love to tell you I saw this show, but in fact
I just happened to be down in the East Village and 
walked past the Orpheum Theater, where
it's been going strong since 1994.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Skywatch Friday



This is (or was) the parachute jump at Coney Island.
It was originally built for the 1939 World's Fair,
moved to Brooklyn in 1941, and thrilled riders until
1968—when it was closed down, but not torn down.
And it won't be because it's now on the National Register
of Historic Places. It's been called the "Eiffel Tower of
Brooklyn." Sure, it's nice, but . . . really?

[See more Skywatch pix here.]

Thursday, August 13, 2009

dragonfly



I took the first shot from about 12 feet
away (because this other photographer was 
hogging the action) with an "okay"
camera. I'd love to see what spectacular
picture he must have captured—and that
dragonfly cooperated by staying there for at
 least 10 minutes while he hovered over
it with his fancy DSLR (envious—moi?).

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

abc wednesday - D is for "double exposure"



Here's something I miss with a digital camera. 
 My last SLR had a setting that specifically allowed
you to do this. I guess you can create the 
effect in Photoshop now? Still, not quite the same.

[Visit ABC Wednesday here.]

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

more terrace envy



Shot this one from the Brooklyn side of 
the Bklyn Bridge. In addition to a
fabulous terrace, these folks have a super 
view of the Manhattan skyline!
-
[This is a part of my world. to share a
part of yours or see more of others,
please go here.]

Monday, August 10, 2009

Lunchtime in Bryant Park




This is the wonderful space behind the main branch 
of the public library, and I'm so lucky that it's 
near my office. Went over there one day 
last week at lunchtime—and it was all goin' on. 
Lots of folks were just hanging out
(eating food from several concession stands,
reading magazines from the racks set under the 
trees, or logging on to the Internet on
their laptops with the free wi-fi), and many of them 
were taking advantage of the pétanque courts, 
ping-pong tables, and chess sets.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Shadow Shot Sunday



I saw this hardworking cleric at the
church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, in 
Rome (built circa 1250), so-called
because it was constructed over the ruins 
of a temple to Minerva, goddess
of wisdom (and that temple was built
by Pompey in 50 BCE).

[Find more shadow shots here.]

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Let's chat



Well, now I kinda regret that I didn't!
I wonder what kind of conversationalist
he is. He does look like one of those people 
you might very well run into
somewhere else around town—so if 
ever see him again, I'll definitely comply.

Friday, August 7, 2009

skywatch Friday



One evening back in June we had a very 
intense storm blow through the
city from north to south—thunder,
lightning, the works. When it finally
stopped, this is what we saw. My
blog pal Bibi was here from Belgrade and 
got the best shot of these clouds.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Wheeee!



One of my all-time favorite roller coasters!
Wanna take a ride? Here's a bit more info.
Am a bit ashamed to admit that I talked
daughter Lila into riding it with me when
she was only 5. Believe she has since
forgiven me however. (Please click on
the photo to see how much fun these
folks were having.)

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

abc wednesday - C is for "chimney pots"



—hundreds and hundreds of them, with a
bonus thrown in. If you've been to the
Beaubourg (Centre Pompidou), you'll
recognize that this photo (one of my faves)
was taken from there, with a pretty long lens.

[Go here for more ABC Wednesday fun.]

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

view from the ferry



Took this from the ferry landing on the Staten Island
side (first time for this borough, I think).  The tall buildings
on the left are New Jersey, on the right Manhattan—with
the Statue of Liberty in between. Last time I rode the
ferry, it was snowing.  It amazes (and pleases)
me that it's still free!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Dancing Girl



Summer in the city, and the NY Philharmonic
was performing in the park. It's a bit grainy,
but the light was fading fast. This little cutie was 
moved by Mahler's 1st—as was I (though
I stopped short of dancing).

Sunday, August 2, 2009

restaurant week



And here's a shadow shot for Sunday, too.
Restaurant week just ended here, but it was
a good opportunity to eat at a couple of places
I might not have if they weren't offering the
special prix fixe menu ($24 for lunch, $35 for
dinner). This is Periyali, where the marinated
grilled octopus is SO tender. Yum.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

another view



I've shown you the front of
the back—it may not
have the towering spires, but
the architectural detail here
just blows me away.