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.

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!

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.

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.]

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.

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.]

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.]

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?)

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.]

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!)

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?

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.]

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.

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.]

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?).

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.]

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.]

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.

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.]

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 

I ever see him again, I'll definitely comply.

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.

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.)

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.]

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!

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).

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.

another view

I've shown you the front of

St. Patrick's Cathedral. Now here's 

the back—it may not

have the towering spires, but

the architectural detail here

just blows me away.