Black Fridays and Thursdays

Is it me? Am I missing something here? America's Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, not based in any religious tradition, no gifts to buy and celebrated universally by the populace. The whole idea is to express appreciation, give thanks, share the joy of family...Recently, it seems to me, that the uniqueness of Thanksgiving has given way to runaway consumerism as the day now marks the start of retail gift shopping for December's main event. Much more media coverage is devoted to the start of the "shopping season" than to the joy of expressing "Thanks". How very, very sad.

Bubble Time

Central park...Showtime at the fountain, always!  :-)

November In The Park

Central Park before the ice and snow set in... :-)

Only In New York

Central Park...Seriously? Hey, why not....  :-)

November Marsh

Gray skies, damp crisp air and the smell of fallen leaves, feels like autumn giving way to early winter.....November on Long Island.

Last Sail

November...time to pull the boat for the season! Boaters in the northeast are familiar with the routine. As the oak leaves begin to fall the sound of the marina's travel-lift increases. With ocean breezes feeling more like cold steel it's time to winterize and wrap things up until spring. There's always next season.. :-)

Up The Hudson

Looking up the Hudson river from New York Harbor and enjoying the vista! One of the world's most recognizable skylines continues to change overtime...

Union Veterans

Veterans Day...This monument marks the spot where the 124th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry re-grouped after crossing the "cornfield" at Antietam. History buffs are aware that this battle was the single bloodiest day in American history. On this Veterans day I honor my mother's great-grandfather who valiantly fought and survived the hellish conditions in the "cornfield" on September 17th of 1862.

Block Island Welcome

   

                                     

Heading in or heading out the old Coast Guard Station marks a gateway of sorts to Block Island's Great Salt Pond. After what can be a rough crossing from Montauk, this sight at the entrance to the safe and calm anchorage has produced many sighs of relief over the years.

Block Island View

Great Salt Pond...Keeping an eye on the neighbors! The anchorage at Block is always has a full crowd (until the cold starts!)

Great salt Pond

The anchorage at Block Island's Great Salt Pond is a very busy place from June to October. The mooring field consists mainly of town owned moorings. Overnight town moorings are very reasonably priced when compared to local marina transient boat slips which  can cost double (or more). The real show here is the early morning competition for an "open mooring". As boats depart other captains jockey, race and position themselves to snag a vacant mooring. During this ritual the worst of boating etiquette can be observed, obscene gestures and comments about one's mother can be heard above the din of seagulls and clanking halyards. Ahh..the reality behind the bucolic.

 

Bluffs Of Block Island

Southwest Bluffs...Ireland? No, this is the dramatic side of Block Island with cliffs that drop straight into Block Island sound (AKA the Atlantic). Vistas on a clear day are stunning here.

Block Island

Block island's Northeast Lighthouse...Located some 18 miles from Montauk Point and 13 miles from Rhode Island, Block Island is a major cursing destination for boaters from Long Island and New England. This, the Northeast light, is in stark contrast to the dramatic cliffs on the opposite side of Block. The beach access here makes for a popular summer spot!

Hunting Heron

A stealthy approach, keen eyesight and patience pay dividends for this tricolored heron. These birds are amazing to watch as they zero in on their prey...

Tricolored Heron

I just love these majestic birds, and it's always a thrill to get close! This tricolored heron allowed me to approach and he was very photogenic.

Original Snowbirds

Calendar says "November", thermometer says 48 degrees, sunset starts real early tomorrow....yikes!
Time to start thinking about following these guys south. Another month or so and the Sunshine State will look very inviting.

Halloween

Happy Halloween....from an old cemetery near you.

Harbor Patrol

New York's finest keeping things safe in the harbor. Increased police presence is city-wide, including all points of New York Harbor.

City Sailors....As my dad would have said, "they are really cutting the mustard"...! Day sailors zipping past the Brooklyn waterfront certainly have their sails adjusted properly. Another glorious day on the water.

Lifting Morning Fog

Hard to capture but...The late morning fog appears as smoke amongst the foliage as it slowly brings the Vermont mountains into view. Another part of nature's show that is easily missed as we hurry about our busy lives. Just another of those "stop and small the roses" moments.

Even after all these years there is still something a little mesmerizing about a waterfall. A crisp fall morning in Vermont when the only sound is the water's rush over the edge....love it!