Friday, July 31, 2009

For The Geographically Challenged

The restored gantry cranes on the East River provide help for those who may not yet have a GPS.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

On The Rail

In an area usually reserved for "Press" our Long Island Photo Meet-Up Group had an outstanding vantage point at Belmont Park recently! Few excuses for missing the shot.

Belmont park

More from Belmont...seems funny but it took a telephoto lens to get me interested in horse racing! The photo posted above will give an idea of just how ideal our "seats" were for the races.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Summer By The Bay

A hazy breeze and a little nostalgia on a summer evening by the Great South Bay. Life is good.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Summer Rose

Planting Fields Arboretum is a former Gold Coast Era estate located in Oyster Bay. Now part of the State Park system, Planting Fields is registered as a National Historic District and well worth a visit. This late season rose caught my eye and called out for a macro shot.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Proud Grandpa Series

You Go Oliver!....put that sticky finger right on that lens!
To see the the other side click here.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Friday, July 24, 2009

Mets Fans

Going to a Mets game, a phenomena known to sociologists as "Group Masochism."

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Sailing Round

Evidence that Columbus was indeed correct! Sailing downwind and seemingly down hill. :-)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Into The Home Stretch

There was lots of practice using high shutter speeds and panning from our position on the rail at Belmont. I also had practice betting which is not one of my many vices, I was proud of my $14.00 winnings until Alida walked away with $54.00 in her pocket and a smile on her face.

Monday, July 20, 2009

A Day At The Races

Our camera group reserved a spot on "Top Of The Stretch" on the rail at Belmont for Sunday's races. This was Belmont Park's last day before all racing heads north to Saratoga. The photo opportunities were many, I fear I came home with way too many race images to process!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Fire Island Guy

For several years the National Park Service has attempted to humanely thin the deer herd on Fire Island. The most recent program has involved using baited birth control drugs. The program seems to have had results in larger and healthier looking deer. Fire Island deer identify people with food (there is no hunting on the island) and they are not shy at all.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Gantry Plaza View

The hunters Point and Gantry Plaza sections of Queens have undergone a major revitalization in recent years. The area around the park is bustling with new housing , a very active "main street" area and several new pubs and restaurants. Years ago, the Gantry Park waterfront was a known dumping ground where derelict vehicles were in abundance.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Fire Island Deer


Two uninvited guests came to our beach barbeque the other night. While "don't feed the wildlife" is a good policy, these guys would not take no for an answer. They seemed most interested in the corn husks from our garbage bag. They are by no means shy and will literally get in your face! Fire Island deer tend to be smaller than their mainland cousins although this pair were much larger than usual.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Fox News Update

The fox family on Fire Island continues to prosper. We have been following their progress since early Spring and while they are cautious, they do appear to be as curious about us as we are about them. This guy was retrieving his cache of food in the early evening, there were two dead birds that he had stashed in the small evergreens.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Street Art

In the "five points" section of Queens an old warehouse has been converted into a showplace for graffiti artist. The building provides a legal venue for masters of the spray can and attracts artist from around the world.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

On The Waterfront

A hammock on the East River, and why not? A great spot for reading and relaxing, Gantry Plaza State Park has plenty of comfortable seating. New areas are still being landscaped and will be open to the public soon.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Riverside Stroll

One of New York City's better kept secrets, a quiet walk along the East River on Roosevelt Island. With no crowds and a park-like setting there is plenty of time to savor the view and watch the world go by!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Gantry Plaza

Gantry State Park is a "new" state park on the East River in the Hunter's Pont section of Queens. This 2.5 acre park has dramatic views of Manhattan in the shadows of restored shipping gantry cranes. The space includes fishing piers, decks and lawn areas for sunbathing.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Catching The Sunset

A wonderful bonus to the end of our weeks of dreary weather, a Great South Bay sunset!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Summer In The Country

This renovated cottage was calling to my lens with the echoes of past summers in the countryside.

Monday, July 06, 2009

Boater's Weekend

The holiday weekend saw Long Island boaters leaving the dock in droves. The month long wet weather pattern of June frustrated many sailors. July holds promise as the sunny weather and summer have arrived at long last.

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Beach Day

Lately the requirement for a quality beach day is simply a lack of precipitation. All those childhood warnings about getting a "bad burn" on a cloudy day were most likely issued by adults who had done poorly in science class. So, cloudy sky or not we enjoyed some beach time. The major thunderstorms held off until we got home!

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Set To Sail

Happy July, and the sun is shining! Time to "catch up" on some overdue boating opportunities.