For The Geographically Challenged

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

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.

Summer By The Bay

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

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.

Proud Grandpa Series

You Go Oliver!....put that sticky finger right on that lens!

To see the the other side click here.

Getting Close To Nature

Summer macro fun at Planting Fields Arboretum! (click on the image for Larger view)

Money Bags

Now, that is one very optimistic jockey.

Mets Fans

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

Close Finish

More from Belmont's Top Of The Stretch...(see previous posts)

Sailing Round

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Catching The Sunset

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

Summer In The Country

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

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.

Happy Fourth Of July

It's a fine day for flag waving! Happy 4th!

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!

Set To Sail

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