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. :-)

Barred owl

Not to be confused with the Barn Owl, the Barred Owl certainly has a face full of character!

The Violinist

Central Park is full of nice surprises and some rather decent talent! (Best in large view)

Slideshow of Portugal Photos

Bacalhau Market

Salted and dried cod, aka: Bacalhau, is a mainstay of the Portuguese diet. Locals like to boast that there are 365 recipes for the re-constituted fish. Unfortunately, I think they are correct.

American Kestril

Up close and personal...Like some other raptors Kestrils have adapted well to living side by side with their human neighbors. This guy was not the least timid as he posed for my shot!

Sunday In The Park

A perfect October Sunday in Central park. Seventy degrees, clear skies, beautiful color and everyone is in a good mood! Life is good. :-)

Here's Looking At you

Wow...now that's some kind of eye contact!

Head Shot

Whose Who??..... From NWPLI's annual "Raptor Shoot".

Streets Of Evora

Narrow streets, expensive fuel and lack of parking space make walking the preferred mode of transportation in most small Portuguese towns. One sees few obese locals as walking the hilly terrain seems to be a very effective calorie burning activity!

Impressive View

The Algarve with it's seaside towns and sweeping vistas is hard to resist. (best in larger format, click on the image!)

Morning Walk

"Tourists don't know where they have been, Travelers don't know where they are going". Theroux

Fortress Cities

Pre-Home Land Security technology was primitive yet effective! Obidous, Portugal...

Birds-eye View

Above the town of Nazare...

Castle With A View

Holding the "high ground" has always had it's advantages. Sintra's Moorish castle remains impressive since it's construction in the 8th century A.D.

Sagres Splash

Serious surf at Sagres' 600 foot cliffs. In the large view the scale is more evident as people can be seen above the crashing wave. Impressive sight for sure....

Capela dos Ossos

In the town of Evora one can find the Chapel Of Bones. The Franciscans of the 16th Century solved a land use problem by consolidating some 42 cemeteries and using human remains in their chapel construction process. The creative and morbid chapel is located in the Church of St. Francis. (see larger view)

Obidous, Portugal

Rooftops within the walled city....

Light In The Palace

"Next door to the nursery just down the hall

A strange new sound you never heard before

A strange new sound that makes boys explore"..... The Greatest Discovery....Elton John

Happy In Lisbon

...and happy to be home! Life is Good.

Sagres, Portugal

For many centuries this was the end of the "known" western world. Sagres is Portugal's southwestern most point of land.

Diet Challenge

Ever try to diet AND vacation at the same time? Good Luck. :-)

Moorings

Tavira along the Algarve coast.....

Vistas

At every turn, Portuguese eye candy!!

Modern Lisbon

While preservation is a top priority and cultural links to the past are important, Lisbon has also been moving ahead. The Oriente section of the city is most certainly on the cutting edge of the future.