NYC Golden January Sunrise

A frigid, last sunrise for the month of January. Nice to finally see a colorful, sunny start to the day after a long stretch of gray, cloudy weather.

House Sparrow on Phragmite

A House Sparrow enjoying the feel of a bit of warm sunshine on a bitterly cold day just before the snowstorm moved in with a rare glimpse of blue sky. for this gray, dreary month. Added info: Phragmites are reeds with plumed heads are commonly seen along marshes and other wetlands. The tolerate and thrive in both fresh and brackish water. There are a few species, one of them native to North America. Unfortunately, the non-native species with its dense root system and fast growth is toxic to native wetland plants and is crowding them out in coastal and inland wetland areas.

Goose-capades on Ice

I had to laugh at this Canada Goose as he encounted some surface puddles and his reflection on a frozen pond. He (or she) was walking along a strip of ice when he came to the partially thawed section and saw his reflection. He couldn't quite figure out what would be the safe thing to do. He shuffled back and forth, uncertain, for quite a while and finally turned around and walked back to a more solidly frozen part of the pond.

Canada Goose Refreshment Break

A Canada Goose on a frozen pond stopping to have a drink where the late afternoon sun has warmed and melted the top layer of ice on in sections of the pond.

Leucistic Mallard Duck

A leucistic mallard duck swimming in an open area of water edged by ice in the foreground. Mallard ducks are a common sight in the marshland/wetlands near where I live, but it is rare to see one like this. The pale and white feathers are a result of a condition known as Leucism, caused by improper development of feather pigmentation cells. The condition can affect the entire plumage of a duck or sections of it Since the defective cells cannot produce color, the affected feathers grow in white or an off-white color. It didn't seem to affect the socialization of this duck since it was hanging out with a group of male and female mallards and seemed to be readily accepted.

Mallard Drake on Ice

A beautiful mallard drake carefully shuffling across an ice-covered section of a pond, highlighted by warm-hued late afternoon light. The ice did not appear to be very thick, and he seemed to be very cautious as he walked. Another one of those birds, like the mourning dove, that are so common that people take for granted how beautiful their plumage is.

NYC and Hudson River at Sunrise

A January sunrise view of the NYC midtown skyline and Hudson River. So far this month, sunny days and colorful sunrise/sunsets have been few and far between. Minutes after this scene, the clouds obscured any bright parts of the sky and it turned out to be yet another cloud filled, frigid day.

Fruit Trio Still Life

Two apples and a pear in a still life photograph with light photopainting effect. Yeesterday's indoor project on yet another cold dreary winter day

Window Mannequin Hat and Mask

Black and white was the primary decorating scheme in this store window with several mannequins dressed in elaborate costumes and jewels. There were diffused colored lights in spots to add a gold tone, but I converted this image to all black and white.

Fruit Vendor Cart

Needed a boost of some big bold color on a frigid day here in NJ so sharing this image from a few weeks ago. A view of the side of a colorful, enticing city fruit vendor cart offering fruit and fruit drinks on a winter day.

Portrait of a Mourning Dove

A Mourning Dove sitting on a birch branch on a winter day. Photographed in the New Jersey Meadowlands Not sure if this is the same dove as yesterday's post of a different one. Several people commented about how common these birds are and I think they are the most commonly seen bird in NA. I still love seeing them and think they are beautiful with the big eyes, blue eye ring and the lovely delicate plumage colors and patterns.

Mourning Dove Portrait

This beautiful Mourning Dove blended in with the environment so well that I almost didn't see him. Photographed in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

NYC Sightseeing Perspective

A section of an art piece on display in an art gallery photogrpahed through a window and processed in black and white.

Pink Ornamental Kale

A close up view of a magenta pink and white ornamental kale plant - a wonderful, uplifting burst of color and visual treat to see in the midst of winter.

Sundown Gold on Manhattan

Another day in early January when skies had begun to clear after a rain storm and this glorious gold- hued sundown color appeared across midtown Manhattan and the Hudson Yards district contrasted with deep blue in the sky and Hudson River. Mother Nature has some marvelous tricks up her sleeve that sometimes provide the most amazing sights like this one.

Manhattan West Side Sundown

A view of the Hudson River and the skyscrapers of upper midtown Manhattan West Side at the peak of a hazy, very colorful, sunset after a rain storm.

Female Northern Cardinal

A female Northern Cardinal sitting on a branch in the New Jersey Meadowlands on a winter day with light snow residue on the surrounding branches and light cloudy sky..

Red-Winged Blackbird on a Branch

A Red-winged Blackbird in the New Jersey Meadowlands on a cold Winter day.

Northern Cardinal Male

A beautiful red male Northern Cardinal stands out against a muted winter background on a cold day in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

House Sparrow

One of the small wintering birds seen on a chilly walk in the New Jersey Meadowlands. with gray skies and a residue of snow left on the tree limbs. Although found in most of the country, House Sparrows are not native to the U.S. "The House Sparrow was introduced into Brooklyn, New York, in 1851. By 1900 it had spread to the Rocky Mountains. Two more introductions in the early 1870s, in San Francisco and Salt Lake City, aided the bird’s spread throughout the West. House Sparrows are now common across all of North America except Alaska and far northern Canada.

Pears - Contemporary Still Life

A mixed media art piece featuring pears in a contemporary , semi-abstract format.

Apple and Pear Still Life

A reult of some rainy day photo play yesterday. A mixed media stilll life piece - pears, apples, a bowl and plaid table cover photograph and digitally painted for effect. .

NY-NJ Chilly Winter Blues

Looking out from atop the New Jersey Palisades on a chilly winter day with the Weehawkin New Jersey waterfront in the foreground, the Hudson River in the center and midtown Manhattan across the river. Buildings are topped with a coating of snow from a recent snowfall.

NY-NJ Departing Snow Storm

An early morning view just after the snowflakes stopped falling and skies began to brighten after an overnight snow storm. Plows have cleared the streets of snow but the layer of snow can be seen on the ground and roof tops. Photographed from the top of the New Jersey Palisades looking out over Hoboken N.J. in the foreground, Jersey City in the far distance, the Hudson River and the New York Skyline and lower Manhattan on the left. There was very little color in the original capture so I converted it to a cleaner black and white.

Brink of Sunrise NYC Skyline

A sky rich with huge, puffy, sunrise hued clouds in yellow, gold, orange and red over the New York Skyline in the colorful moments before the sun appears over the skyscraper horizon. Colorful sunrise/sunsets have been few and far between with lots of cloudy days lately. This is from a few days ago.

Bergdorf NYC Holiday Window #3

One more of the colorful, Bergdorf window display. The Bergdorf Goodman holiday window displays, even though not holiday specific, are beloved by New Yorkers and visitors alike for the exquisite detail, workmanship, elaborateness and creativity that goes into creating them. This year the theme of the windows was “The Present Moment.” The motivation for the windows was to counteract the effects of the long shut in that people have experienced due to Covid. The displays focused on color, fantasy, happiness, imagination, the spirit of freedom and essentially enjoying the moment. A quote from one write up that I saw about the window - .” “Appreciating the present moment,” she explained, “where every healthy, delicious and happy moment is a gift and a present.” So in that spirit, to start 2022, I’m posting a few of the close up photos that I took while in NYC.

Bergdorf NYC Holiday Window #2

Another section of one of the Bergdorf holiday windows in NYC filled with colorful birds, bees, butterflies and other critters. The Bergdorf Goodman holiday window displays, even though not holiday specific, are beloved by New Yorkers and visitors alike for the exquisite detail, workmanship, elaborateness and creativity that goes into creating them. This year the theme of the windows was “The Present Moment.” The motivation for the windows was to counteract the effects of the long shut in that people have experienced due to Covid. The displays focused on color, fantasy, happiness, imagination, the spirit of freedom and essentially enjoying the moment. A quote from one write up that I saw about the window - .” “Appreciating the present moment,” she explained, “where every healthy, delicious and happy moment is a gift and a present.” So in that spirit, to start 2022, I’m posting a few of the close up photos that I took while in NYC.

Lower Manhattan at Sundown

A view of One World Trade Center (aka Freedom Tower) and the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan with the rich golds, yellows and russet sundown colors reflected in the buildings and the sky beginning to turn twilight blue at the end of the Golden Hour. The first colorful sundown of 2022 and a wonderful surprise after a cloudy, dreary day where snow was expected but didn't happen.

Bergdorf NYC Holiday Window #1

The Bergdorf Goodman holiday window displays, even though not holiday specific, are beloved by New Yorkers and visitors alike for the exquisite detail, workmanship, elaborateness and creativity that goes into creating them. This year the theme of the windows was “The Present Moment.” The motivation for the windows was to counteract the effects of the long shut in that people have experienced due to Covid. The displays focused on color, fantasy, happiness, imagination, the spirit of freedom and essentially enjoying the moment. A quote from one write up that I saw about the window - .” “Appreciating the present moment,” she explained, “where every healthy, delicious and happy moment is a gift and a present.” So in that spirit, to start 2022, I’m posting a few of the close up photos that I took while in NYC.

Arctic Holiday at Pulitzer Fountain NYC

This has to be one of the most delightful NYC holiday decorations/displays that I've seen. Located at the Pulitzer Fountain in front of the Plaza Hotal and across the street from Central Park, this was magical to see and enjoy. A faux Arctic environment surrounded the circular fountain with a variety of whimsical wildlife creations frolicking on the snow and ice, many in constant motion. The gift balanced on top of the seal's nose turned around and around. Two polar bear figures skated back and forth on the ice, penguins toddled around and more - all accompanied by Christmas music. The display is put on by the Fifth Avenue Association which, at the site, suggests donations to the City Harvest Program.

New Year Greeting

Happy, Happy New Year to all. May 2022 keep you healthy, happy, excited, motivated and fulfilled. I hope you will have many special photography moments that will make memories and be reminders that there is beauty, inspiration and goodness all around is we look for it. For all of us 2021 has been a challenge – some more than others. For me, a sister seriously ill and in hospital for many weeks with Covid; a daughter facing multiple tests and procedures over the year for potential cancer and I almost lost my African Grey parrot companion of 25 years due to an injury As this year ends, fortunately all three seem to be recovering and doing ok. And in the middle of it all, a milestone 80th birthday for me. I am so thankful for that and for friends, including this SM group, who have been supportive and caring all through the year. From a photography standpoint, after the earlier severe Covid lockdown restrictions, it was wonderful this year to get back to some of my favorite places to see and photo the seasonal changes in New Jersey and to enjoy NYC at Christmastime again. Didn’t achieve my 2021 resolution to get out to find new places to photograph but did get some such as NJ shore photos and visit to a waterbird rookery. So here’s a wish for 2022 that we will all find peace, wonder and joy in the world around us and hold it close on those days when we need it most.