Fine weather draws one to the great outdoors !!!!

The excellent rain free weather, with ocean breezes, drew me to explore the nearby Oceanside Marine Study Area. 

This 57 acre preserve is located on  Reynolds Channel Lagoon, the body of water that separates the Long Island's main land from the barrier beaches, i.e. Long Beach and Lido Beach.

The OMSA has been set aside by the Town of Hempstead as an outdoor environmental education laboratory for elementary and secondary schools as well ecology management study site for local college students.

Due to its natural beauty the site is also a draw for artist and photographers.

The Marine Study Area suffered damage from the tidal storm surges of "Super Storm Sandy" and was shut down for three months. Two classrooms were lost.....

                                      Old preserve elevated boardwalk !

                                   New composite elevated walkway.

      

          Motor power, wind power and muscle power,

boating on the lagoon!

          The shore line preserve is home to a variety of bird life.

                                          A  Yellow Crowned Night Heron.

                                                               Great egrets.

                        Each year a pair of Osprey return to start a family.

                            Bringing home a fish dinner.

                                                       Young scrub jays!

                                                      Feeding time ! 

jpk

Backyard surprise July 6, 2013

With July 4th, 2013 falling on a Thursday, local firework displays seemed to run the entire week. Town of Hempstead had their's Sunday June 30, other communities had their shows July 3, 4, 5, and last night,  July 6th!

We were treated to a truly spectacular show from our balcony.  Apparently, one of the owners of a nearby water front home on Reynolds Channel went big time and  put on a show that lasted close to an hour.  

Of course, I grabbed my camera and took a few shots.. Have a look at these!

You will note how close the exploding rockets, etc. were to us.

I chose to display in somewhat of an abstract format, i.e. you know these are fireworks explosions, but with several, you can't be positive.

Click on any image to enlarge...   Enjoy !!!!

jpk

  

Fine Art Photography - 6/23/13

Connie and I journeyed to Dutchess County to visit Maura, here are a few "artsy" photographs  from the weekend.   

                                                                "The Pond"                   ckk

     

                    "Shutters"                     jpk

 

               "Wheat"                  ckk

                                                                 "Row Boat"           jpk

                                          "The Window"        ckk

                                                       "Through the Trees"        jpk

                                        "Wild Flowers"     ckk

                                                           

                                                        "Rusty Saw"          jpk

                                           "Vines"                 ckk    

                                       "Hudson Valley"       jpk

That is all for now, folks!!!

6/26/13

Architecture, Art, Flowers, Fresh Air and People..........

Another venue on our "bucket list" has been visited! 

Last week, we went in to Manhattan and walked the High Line.  The High Line is a linear public park between 12th Street and 30th Street on Manhattan's West side, owned by NYC but  99% maintained by a public conservancy, The Friends of the High Line....

Formerly, the high line was a New York Central Railroad spur. Since 1999, it has been transformed into a elevated path lined with seasonal plants, flowers and commissioned sculpture. 

The High Line has been an amazing "economic generator" for the West Side of Manhattan from Hell's Kitchen to the Meat Packing District, approximately one mile in length.  Literally thousands of new residences/apartments have been built in the vicinity of the High Line. New restaurants have sprung up on street level near 23rd Street and 14th Street.

Join us for our tour, photos by both of us, of the High Line !!!

If Manhattan is your destination, visit the High Line!

For further details on the High Line Google it, or visit the High Line web site.

ckk/jpk

Ryan's fourth birthday party!!!

Ryan's  fourth birthday party was held at his Aunt Marissa's Paint A Tee studio in Red Bank... Great fun, as it was an all family event....

The pictures tell it all.....   enjoy !!!

 We celebrated Father's Day too!!!

All photo's courtesy of Connie......