New Year's Eve

Wishes for a safe and happy celebration!

In Disguise

At two years of age Oliver has grown used to looking into the business end of a camera. It's not a surprise that he's become somewhat of a ham lately. From the Proud Grandpa series...

Ornament Abstract

Today's post is the result of bitter cold outdoor temperatures, a macro lens and a tree full of ornaments. Winter is always a good time for indoor macro fun!

After The Big Day

The crumpled wrapping is in the trash, the company and the left-overs are gone. During the lull between Christmas Day and New Years we are left with new and fresh memories of yet another holiday season. The train set that still sits under my tree is a joyous reminder of the wide-eyed, enthusiastic two year old who has brought so much wonderful energy to our family.

Christmas Wishes

Christmas Lights

We must be getting close to the big day!

Outdoor Picnic?

The official tally for Long Island was 26.3 inches, the high winds created some impressive LIRR stopping snow drifts. Not all that startling if you live in Buffalo but enough to keep Long Islanders talking!

The Morning After

It's official, winter has arrived in all it's icy glory and Long Islanders continue to dig out from the worst blizzard in decades. Got to love that whole "change of seasons" thing...!

Time To Get Away?

Open the garage door to find that the blizzard of '09 has hit Long Island one day before the start of winter. Fills me with anticipation for the upcoming winter season.

SMILE!

Grandma Alida gets the perfect Christmas pose. Christian and Connor from the "Proud Grandpa Series" circa 2009.

Higher Level Math

Counting the shopping left days until Christmas....

Mistletoe and Holly

Oh by gosh, by golly....I suppose that I really should be shopping.

Cold Water Diving

This guy really knows how to enjoy a wintry day in the water.

Eye To Eye

I could not help but believe that this interaction made a lasting impression on one rather young participant. Certainly a much safer view than in the wild!

Keep Your Distance

Some close-up detail from the safety of my zoom lens, this guy looks like serious trouble. Grandson Connor was eager to show me his favorite animals recently, I much preferred his top pick the penguins! (best in larger view, click on the image)

Everywhere You Go....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Uproar

There is always something to roar about. Express yourself, be heard..don't take it lion down!

:-)

Quotes

Gee Andy, thanks for sharing but I really only wanted to wash my hands.

Imagine

December 8, 1980 Today, Dec. 8, marks the 29th anniversary of the death of John Lennon. The former Beatle was shot by Mark David Chapman outside of his New York apartment building, the Dakota.

Feeling Blue?

Christmas shopping starting to get to you? Getting dark to early for you? Weather forecast got you down? Look on the bright side, you could be stuck in the Milwaukee zoo with this guy!

Art

In the eye of the beholder.

Buddies

I made some new friends during my visit here in Wisconsin. Winter has arrived here where "cold" has a whole new meaning!

Point of View

Sometimes, perspective is everything.....

Abandoned

More from the site of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital....

Afternoon In The Park

December always promises some radical changes in the weather. It may be awhile before we get more afternoons to just sit outdoors and enjoy comfortable temperatures.

Nissequogue State Park

It has been awhile since I visited Nissequogue State Park. The 365 park acres overlooking Long Island Sound is the site of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital. Plans to demolish the numerous buildings that echo their depressing past continue to cast a pall over the otherwise scenic park. Sadly, funds to clean the site are not forthcoming and serious safety issues surround the derelict buildings. The location has become popular with local photography clubs.

The Bubble Man

More free entertainment in Central Park!

Afternoon Light

I have been moving image files from the old PC to the iMac. At times the process is one of discovery as I stumble upon photos that were ever given a second look. Prauge in the afternoon light caught my eye this time around. (best in large view, be sure to click on the image))

Last Of November

Is it me? Are the months really passing as quickly as it seems? Along with the turkey leftovers is the reality of turning to the last page on the 2009 calendar. I suppose that time really does fly when we're having fun!

Music In The Park

Thankful

A day to be aware of the numerous reasons to be thankful.

Travel Day

More Americans will travel today than any other day on the calendar. Americans will eat more tomorrow than most other days in anticipation of joining throngs of other Americans shopping on Friday. Sounds as if the "holiday season" is about to begin!

Discovery

Puffing on a dandelion....Nothing like a two year old to remind me that the ordinary and mundane can be fascinating upon first discovery! Oliver continues to be amazed as he "takes it all in". ( Image from the "Proud Grandpa Series")

Artwork

The rooftop garden at the Metropolitan Museum is sprawling with a tangle of confusing chrome roots, a work of art entitled "Malestorm". Art is in the eye of the beholder and the City view is impressive!

Tree Guy

Much better him than me. Three days of high wind left us with a precarious tree project and a dent in the checking account.

Reflections

Last of the season's color, November in Central Park.

Truth

Well, as the saying goes: The best defense against getting caught in a lie is to always tell the truth!

Mid-November

Yesterday was a gift. A week away from Thanksgiving and Central Park temperatures were in the 60's. A perfect day to enjoy the last of fall's color and take a few shots! Life is good!

Metro

More from revisited files...Awaiting the next train in Prague, hopefully headed in the correct direction. For me, navigating the metro and not being able to understand the written language was a visit into the world of non-readers. A fun adventure none the less!

Showtime

We have been busy the past week with two photo exhibitions. Our "Island Vision" showing is at the Bayport-BluePoint Library through the end of November, at the Borghese Winery is the NWPLI members show through December 12th.

Gathering Clouds

Parts of Fire Island recently completed extensive beach re- nourishment. Several millions were spent (much raised by residents) to re-establish sand dunes at Davis Park. The season's first true Nor'easter is upon us, it will be interesting to see how the beach survives the high surf and 50mph winds.

Shopping

Could it really be that time of year again? It's beginning to look and feel like holiday shopping time, brace yourself!

Veterans Day

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis
(best in large view)

Fire Island Freight

The cute little red wagon of Fire Island fame has slowly left the scene. Beach house owners have for years used the iconic red wagon to transport everything from groceries to small children in their trips to and from the ferry dock. The much larger (and more efficient) utility wagon has become the SUV of the boardwalk in recent years. In this storage area for wagons at Davis Park, not a single little old red wagon is in sight.

Finished

Sunflower in November...

Revisiting Memories

I am still culling through archival files in search of images that I never processed. My wife took a very similar shot during our trip to Machu Piccu which may have been the reason why I bypassed this one originally. The Andes are breathtaking. (Best in large view, click on the image)

Sweet n' Salty

Salty, dependable and made of wood. It looks, smells and sits in the water exactly like my "first" boat. "Firsts" stay fresh in the memory because we tend to attach emotion to the whole experience. I can still see my Dad bringing a rowboat just like this one home from the lake. My brother could have his motorbike, I had a boat! Soon, I was introduced to a new skill set called "caulking" which would (in theory) keep the old girl tight. I now fondly smile when I think of all the bailing required to keep her afloat. So much for my caulking skills but she was a thrill none the less.
There aren't too many of these classics still around and I wonder if I'm not alone with my twinge of nostalgia.

The Watcher

On brother-in-law Peter's farm, perched in a loft window of the barn sits the ever vigilant sentinel of barnyard security.

Recess

All boats look better in the water. Few boats look as good in the water as your own. Life is good!

Orient Point Light

I have recently been "revisiting" my digital image files. The workshop gurus refer to this as "work flow management" which really means that digital photography enables one to accumulate an excessive number of images that seldom get a second look. Sometimes it's just a matter of hitting that delete key and moving on, sometimes it's finding an image with promise!
This shot was taken during a trip on the Orient to New London Ferry. (Best seen in large view.)