Ocean

Freezing And In Love!

February 14, 2015 — 4 Comments

gadwall

F/6.3, 1/320, ISO 1600.
Gadwall Duck
Day 45 / 365

Even on a frozen ocean you can find love today.

Interesting Fact: Gadwall sometimes steal food from American Coots and from other ducks.
( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/gadwall/lifehistory )

Bonus Valentine Facts: 2. Valentine’s Day may have a rather gory history. As one variation of a popular myth goes, Claudius II, the Emperor of Rome, forbade young men from marrying because he wanted them as soldiers in his army instead. St. Valentine defied him and married people in secret, so he was executed on Feb. 14 in the year AD 269 – or so the story goes. ( http://m.ibtimes.com/valentines-day-facts-history-fun-ideas-free-burritos-singles-awareness-other-things-1813226 )

This Duck Baffled My Head!

January 25, 2015 — 25 Comments

Bufflehead Duck

F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400.

Bufflehead Duck

Day 25 / 365

Freezing my bum off for an hour in one spot today paid off.    🙂

Interesting Fact: Buffleheads are highly active and will undertake dives almost continuously. One duck will serve as a sentry, watching for predators as the others in the group dive in search of food. ( http://www.withmephotographyblog.com/10-interesting-facts-about-the-bufflehead )

Start Spreading The News

January 20, 2015 — 18 Comments

NYCPanorama

F/16.0, 30.0, ISO100, Photoshop CS6.

Day 20 /365

If I can make it there
I’ll make it anywhere
It’s up to you
New York, New York

Frank Sinatra – New York, New York.

Interesting Fact: The first capital of the United States was New York City. In 1789 George Washington took his oath as president on the balcony at Federal Hall. ( http://www.50states.com/facts/newyork.htm#.VL8v7mc5Cpo )

 

City Brights Twinkling Lights!

January 15, 2015 — 15 Comments

NYCskyline

F/22.0, 303.0, ISO 100.

Day 15 / 365

Oh the city glows so bright tonight.

Interesting Fact: New York City has more people than 39 of the 50 states in the U.S. ( http://bigappled.com/2014/03/31/41-random-facts-about-new-York/ )

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming!

January 4, 2015 — 12 Comments

canvasback ducks

F/6.3, 1/60, ISO 320.

Day 4 / 365

I wonder where they can be swimming in such a hurry, maybe they are late to be somewhere or maybe they are just afraid of me. 🙂

Interesting Fact: Canvasbacks are diver ducks well equipped with their own form of flippers—large webbed feet that make them smooth and graceful swimmers. They spend much of their time in the water and use their long bills to feed by digging through bottom sediments in search of aquatic plant stems and roots, or submerged insects, crustaceans, and clams. ( http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/canvasback/ )

I Cannot Believe Another Day Is Over!

December 9, 2014 — 24 Comments

verrazano bridge

F/11.0, 1/250, ISO 100

This guy enjoying the sunset over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is probably wondering how cold the water is and if he will ever make it across. Or he may be singing in his head a Britney Spears song “Oops!…I did it again”

 

Interesting Fact: The first driver to cross the bridge wore a rented tuxedo and piloted a “pale blue Cadillac convertible with flags flapping from the fenders,” nabbing the distinction because he had parked behind the Staten Island toll for a week, guaranteeing the position. ( http://www.bensonhurstbean.com/2014/11/25-facts-verrazano-narrows-bridge/ )

Never Forget

September 10, 2014 — 11 Comments

9/11

F/11.0, 30, ISO 100.

This is a photo that I took last year while visiting a memorial for 9/11 downtown Jersey City. Words do not do it justice. Today lets all stand together and pay tribute to the ones we lost. You will not be forgotten- instead you will live in our hearts forever.

Interesting Fact:   The Tribute in Light is an art installation of 88 searchlights placed next to the site of the World Trade Center to create two vertical columns of light in remembrance of the September 11 attacks. It is produced annually by The Municipal Art Society of New York. ( http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribute_in_Light )

Manhattan means “Island of the hills” in Algonquin Indians Language.

April 9, 2014 — 6 Comments

Island of the hills

F/5.0, 1/80, ISO 400.

As the sun is setting, it shines on the skyline of Manhattan. It is worth it to stick around and experience the colors.

Manhattan

F/16, 30.0, ISO 100.

Interesting Fact: On May 24, 1626 Algonquin Indian tribe sold island of Manhattan to a Dutch explorer Peter Minuit for about 24 dollars (or $680 today) worth of trinkets and tools.