Happy New Year!

Wishes for a 2011 filled with Health and Happiness....!

Wonderland?

The season's first major winter Nor'easter buried the NY area with folks still trying to dig out three days later! Winter wonderland has it's beauty unless you have plans to leave the house!

:-)

Peace On Earth

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Anticipation

The Big Day draws near...AND Baby, it's cold outside!

Insalata di Polipi

Just how do they get the octopus into the salad? Catch 'em where they hide I suppose!

First Light

Beautiful but uncomfortable...I recall this winter sunrise as dramatic and bone chilling cold, I think That in the future I will limit my winter sunrise shots to southern latitudes! :-)

Weather Weary

Last time I checked the official start of winter isn't until next week. Blizzards have battered a good portion of the country, Long Island canals are frozen solid and a bitting wind smacks me in the face every time I step outside. Gotta love that whole "change of seasons thing.." :-)

December

Five more days of losing daylight until the slow march back to Spring's later sunsets!

Seven Fishes

It's time to order that seafood for Christmas Eve! Like a snowball headed down hill, the holiday momentum is picking up speed!

Change In The Weather

Man on the TV keeps talking about "bitter temperatures" to arrive here soon....Winter is arriving at a marina near you! Brrrr...

Three Already?

"...Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze.." Happy Birthday! ( from the Proud Grandpa Gallery!)

Duck The Halls

It just would not be the Christmas season without the decked out duck. Indeed, that roadside icon, the marvel of creative Long Island architecture, the pride (seriously!) of Flanders and Flandarians...The Big Duck is in it's holiday finery. (This image meets the requirement for the obligatory holiday Big Duck picture)

Ocean

(Best in large view) The Atlantic coast off the town of Nazzarre, Portugal is true eye candy. Makes me wonder, why they call it "earth" when clearly it is so much more "ocean"! :-)

Thirty Years on..

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope some day you'll join us

And the world will live as one... Can it really be 30 years?

My Lyndon

During our recent heating system inspection I inquired as to the efficiency of my unit. The tech informed me that the benchmark in the industry is: "If it was installed during the Reagan administration it needs to be replaced" AND "you sir, have yourself a Lyndon Johnson here"! Perhaps that's why it bangs, hisses and blows out circulating pumps every other year?

Soo, after much debate and mumbling we bid farewell to our Lyndon today as a new unit is installed. After 46 years of heating this big old house we salute your rusting cast iron service and bid adieu.

December's Bay

A cold and quiet morning by the bay can have it's own special moment in time! Sure beats that rush hour traffic a few miles up the road... :-)

Look!, A Bird!

Nature Photographers...silent stealthy hunters with lenses. They often spend hours alone in the wilderness stalking the ultimate "National Geographic" image. On those rare occasions when these solitary souls bump into another photographer there is much camaraderie. No fans of the paparazzi here....(gotta Love it!)

Every Drop Counts

My camera and I are always drawn to the ocean. It gives me pause, peace and cause to wonder.

AND..what do you think?..would the ocean be deeper if sponges didn't live there? :-)

Cool Morning

December and the temperature does a dance with the sun. Three weeks until the start of winter..try telling that to the citizens of Buffalo! :-)

A Bird In The Hand

The first place to look for happiness just might be your own backyard. Hey.., a lot of patience and a few sunflower seeds might just bring some new friends your way!

Steep Path

An uphill climb frequently enhances the view. :-)

Friends

There are many interesting faces along the path of life's journey. I recall that these two appeared to know each other very well! (from my archival Peru file)

Galapagos Penguin

Today's Penguin Facts: The only penguin found north of the equator these guys are rare even for the Galapagos Islands. Found only on two islands ( Isabella and Fernandina ) they breed on the equator and are an endangered species due to the effects of "El Nino" currents. This fellow was very camera friendly and allowed us to approach rather closely. The Galapagos Penguin is the smallest of all the world's penguins.

Red Shoes

Talk about your ruby slippers...Red Footed Booby of Galapagos.

Babysitting

No Turkeys here.....Mother and baby frigate birds checking out the guy with the camera.

Gray November

A damp chill is in the air, the sky is gray but my leftover turkey sandwich was delicious! Time to walk off yesterday's yummy calories! Life is good!

Happy Thanksgiving

Time to give thanks, count blessings and recall the joy of sharing past Thanksgivings with those who have left us. "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it" Wm Arthur Ward

AND...I see an apple pie with my name on it!

Show Off

A real balancing act, or perhaps just pointing the way.

More From Birdland..

Peregrine Falcon facts: Peregrines have the widest distribution of all the raptors and are found on every continent except Antarctica. Purportedly the fastest fliers in nature, Peregrines have been clocked in dives at over 200 mph. Fortunately for me this guy stayed put long enough for me to remember my camera settings. :-)

Ocean Dreams

There is something about the potential for romance and adventure in a large sailing vessel. While the reality of long distance sailing may be quite different, the fantasy conjures up many a high seas scene from the big screen. Hey, you never know... :-)

Land's End

I am always amazed by the bipolar nature of the Atlantic. Serene and romantic one moment, displays of awesome raw thundering power the next. The explosive energy in these waves had to be witnessed in person to truly appreciate the force of nature. The coast of Sagres...(best in large view)

Last Ride

Why is it that the Autumn seems to pass more quickly than the other seasons? Here on Long Island, the "pulling" of boats is a marker indicating that old man winter can be seen just above the horizon. There is always something melancholy about my last boat ride of the season, off to the marina to be hauled, wrapped and stored until spring. Oh well, let the "count down" until the April "splash" begin!

Golden Moments

In my experience, all sunsets are special though some are just simply magical! The magical ones tend to sear the memory into my awareness creating that much discussed "mental picture". Of course having the digital file on hand helps refresh the moment. :-)

Booby Buddies

So very many images in my archival files that have never been processed! Nothing like a rainy/windy November afternoon to look through old files. This pair of Blue Footed Boobies just struck a pose that said to me.."I'll watch your back, you watch mine". Something about the positive energy of friendship here... Life is Good. :-) (best in Large view!)

No Boats

"No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees/no fruits, no flowers, no birds..NOvember"

Thomas Hood 1829

Walking In A Fog

A South Shore fog can happen in a hurry. When the afternoon sunshine began to highlight spectacular November golds and reds, I grabbed the camera and headed to the park. Within minutes a large and silent wave of heavy fog obscured bay views and cast a blanket over the entire shoreline. Still, it had it's own serene moment and mood. AND...I've often been accused of "being in a fog". :-)

Season Finale

It's been a very productive local crab season. The water temperature however, makes it feel like it's November and our crabby friends have headed off for a muddier home. Our final crab feast of the season met all expectations! Life is Good.

More Facts For The Birds

The Rough Legged Hawk summers in the Northern tundra and winters in upper Wisconsin and Michigan. A rare sight on Long Island, this guy was "rescued" and is currently in a wildlife refuge center. Raptor fact of the day: birds with feathers on their legs ("rough legged") spend winters in northern/cold climates. Always a good idea to have boots in the snow I suppose. :-)

Heading Inside

Mid-November and my life rhythms tend to turn more indoors. The days continue to grow shorter making afternoons feel like evenings, the snap in the air grows sharp and cold and the sky seems to be gray more than blue. Could that be December looming on my calendar's radar?

In Tune

It's always important to start out on the right note. Central park...gotta love it! :-)

Thank A Veteran

World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 800 a day. Of the 16,112,566 individuals who served in the Armed Forces during WW II, approximately 2 million are still living. The time to thank a veteran from that most dangerous era would be now.

Pictured here is my favorite veteran prior to his field commission to 2nd Lieutenant. Dad served with the 8th Air Force in Bungay, England. And, Yes..I did get to thank him while he was still with us.

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Much to the chagrin of Benjamin Franklin, the Eagle has been the official symbol of the United States since 1782. Franklin complained that the eagle was of "poor moral fiber" as eagles frequently steal their prey from other raptors. The turkey was Franklin's choice. Makes you wonder what we might be having for Thanksgiving if the Turkey was the "protected" national symbol. Left over Eagle salad, anyone?? :-)

Adult Entitlement

Once you become an adult...you CAN play with your food! :-)

Departure

Long haul jumbo jets are, to me, an amazing feat of engineering. While I understand the concept of powered flight I still find it hard to believe that anything so large can leave the ground. Looking at this Boeing 777 from this angle was impressive, it certainly seems to use all of the taxiway!

Silent Notes

People talking without speaking

People hearing without listening...

..And no one dared

disturb the sound of silence.. Simon and Garfunkle

Today's Owl Facts..

Among the most prolific of owls, the Barn Owl actually prefers to live in barns (clever name) or other man made structures. Barn Owls are slow and silent nocturnal fliers making them the most stealthy of all raptors. A real "night owl". :-)

Central Park Moment

We are surrounded by scenes that remind us that life does go on, there is joy in the world and there is much to be thankful for. Truly a "random shot", this loving moment caught my eye on a recent fall Sunday in the park. :-)

Thank You, Dad

7/7/1921 - 10/30/2010

"...And He will raise you up on Eagle's Wings...

And Hold You in the palm of His hand..."

Thank you for the Love, Wisdom and Humor.

Bethesda Fountain

Central park's "Angel of the Waters" has it's share of history. The fountain is one of the more popular weekend destinations in the park drawing new brides, musicians and large bubble makers!

City Sail

Nothing like a sail without the crowds! Life is good. :-)