Morbid Perch

So, I was walking past Trinity Church in the Financial District, and I saw a pidgeon perched right on top of a gravestone.  My camera was out in a flash as I started to snap away at the bird.  Another pidgeon looked at the first, and stood on top of the adjacent double gravestone.  I was ecstatic!  What a neat happenstance.  Then, a third joined in.  The pidgeons were tilting their heads around as they noticed that some tourists had joined in the fun.  It's as if they were posing for us.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at some much more intimate pidgeons in Lovebirds.

Falling Water

This is a close-up shot of the fountain in the middle of City Hall Park.  I feel that this park tends to be one of lower Manhattan's forgotten sights.  The Brooklyn Bridge is visible a block away, City Hall is on the other side, it's just a few blocks downtown to Ground Zero.  But this park is always full of beautiful contemporary statues that change periodically.  Art and life are all over this park.  The fountain is gorgeous, and the lamps actually contain burning gas rather than lightbulbs.  Neat.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Frogger.

A Sense of History

Taken in front of the Catholic Church of St. Andrew, right across the street from City Hall.  I love how beautiful and simplistic this church is.  The colors are subtle and attractive.  Thought I've never been inside, I hope that the interior and the exterior are similar in design. Yellow and pink flowers filled the large planted areas outside of the church.  So lovely. 

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

I was just wondering, dear readers, where are you from?  I'm originally from rural Pennsylvania, moved to New York City, lived in London for a bit, and have now moved back to New York. Leave a comment and let me know :)

Like this? Take a look at Frogger.

Toad

This is another shot taken at the toy store in Chinatown.  I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the store, or the exact intersection.  When I remember it or go back there, I will let you know, because frankly, it was very cool.  Anyways, I love toad, and everything to do with Mario.  When I was a kid, I didn't own any video game systems, so when I got to college, and realized that everyone seemed to have brought along their Nintendo 64 to school, a fascination with Mario Kart began.  This made me remember that, which definitely made me smile.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Shrubbery.

Child's Play

I was having lunch with a few friends of mine in Chinatown the other day, at a favourite restaurant of mine.  Before this time, I had only been there for dinner.  During the day, Chinatown is always full of people, and the stores spill onto the sidewalk with all of their neat merchandise.  The store next to the restaurant was no exception.  And, it was epic.  Hundreds of small stuffed animals hung on descending chains, crowding one another.  Very few of them were exactly the same, but they did seem to be at least someone organized by type and color. My inner child and outer geek flipped out, and I started cooing over the fun toys and snapping photographs of them.  This is one of my shots.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Think this is fun?  Take a look at Pink Is Pretty.

Chinatown

This was not actually taken in Chinatown, it was taken in Coney Island, and is the last Coney Island post I have (for the time being).  Eating was one of the most important things about our day there.  Stands were all over the boardwalk, selling all kinds of fried stuff, fruit, soda, and ice cream.  This one, however was my favourite.  Chinatown Bubble Tea.  I love bubble tea.  I think it's delicious.  I didn't think I'd find it at Coney Island.  What a wonderful surprise!  Yes, I did buy some, and it was excellent.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at The Performance.

Here I am with my bubble tea, happy as a clam!

Photo by Daniel Garrison

Enjoy the Ride

Probably the most epic looking amusement park ride ever, right?  At least I think so.  Wow, I love roller coasters and crazy thrill rides like that, but this almost looks terrifying- yet, gorgeous at the same time.  I didn't ride it the day I took this photograph, because we were all trying to save money, but next time I go to Coney Island, which will probably be in just a couple weeks, I have promised myself that I am going to try this.  The people look like they're flying!! 

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

If you liked this, take a look at Carousel, and a longer look at Creepy Carnival.

After the Party

Once again, this photograph is from my day in Coney Island.  Sorry for the barrage of photos from there- it's just that there were so many interesting things to shoot.  Thousands of people, carnival rides, food, a beach, street performers, sea life... it was kind of an exciting day for me.  AND I was with friends who were encouraging my stopping to take photographs.  So, basically, I took five times more pictures that day than I usually do.  Which means that, a bunch of posts in a row are going to be from Coney Island.  I have a couple more after this one.

Anyways, the content of this shot really intrigued me.  A group of guys were cleaning up after a party on the pier.  They had bags of trash, empty coolers, big beach umbrellas, and a grocery cart full of recyclables.  It just looked so strange to see a brightly coloured grocery cart sitting there, but when I took a closer look at how the sunlight was reflecting off of the water bottles and beer cans, I realized that the sight was actually rather pretty.  I hope you think so too.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

If you liked this photograph, I must be perfectly honest... I haven't really posted anything quite like this before.  So I don't have a stellar recommendation for you.  Thus, I shall recommend something random.  The Artist.  It's one of my favourites.  Enjoy!

Holes in the Sand

There was this one area in Coney Island, just off of the pier, where about ten children were digging shallow holes in the sand.  They'd wait for the waves to fill them up, then sit in them, cooling off in the shallow, constructed tide pool.  This little boy was waiting for his to fill up again.  

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Check out another child at play in La Fille et Son Scooter.

Happiness

Because nothing in the world could possibly make me happier than a giant, pink, inflatable dolphin on the Coney Island Boardwalk.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

If you  were filled with happiness because of this post, check out When You Wish Upon a Star.

Roses are White

This photograph really surprised me- with how little decided to come into focus!  I almost deleted it, then decided that I liked it.  After about a month, I stumbled upon it again, rotting in a forgotten album with some other photos from Central Park, and fell in love with it.  Now, I have decided to share it with you.  The vintage feel of this just kind of makes my heart sing.  And makes me want to go to five thousand weddings.  Well, maybe not five thousand, but you get the idea.  This rose makes me happy.  I hope it makes you happy too.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If this did, in fact, make you happy, then Beautiful Disaster might just make you ecstatic.

Fool

So... I know that this is not coherent with the rest of this blog.  At all.  This isn't particularly lovely... but I think it is hilarious.  This clown was performing on the boardwalk at Coney Island, and this guy walked up to him and watched him, for about five minutes.  The entire time, he just looked unbelievably confused.  He moved progressively closer to the clown, until he finally acknowledged his existence.  They made eye contact.  They both looked confused.  And, I caught it on film. 

:-D

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at The Performance to see some other (much younger) street performers.

I'll Have it With Lemon

I love seafood.  I don't eat meat, but I basically cannot live without fish and shellfish.  Though I believe that animal lives are important... I'm sorry.  They are just so tasty!  Especially when they are fried.  Clam strips and fried shrimp are two small joys in my life.  I don't indulge often, because fried food is not particularly good for me, but when I do, I go all out.  So, when I was at a cafe in Coney Island, on the Fourth of July... I used the holiday as my excuse to essentially pig out.  I got clam strips and fried shrimp.  With lemon. It was a great day.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Gala for another photograph of fruit.

Tips Please + Thank You!

This woman was working behind the counter of a cafe/ bar in Coney Island.  She just seemed so cool and happy.  Most of the time she was smiling, but I was taking photographs stealthily, because I feel very awkward about taking photographs of strangers, so I caught one her looking down. Heh heh.  I'm really not a creeper, I swear.  But, that is why there are so few photographs of people on this blog.  I'm trying to get over it, because I think that people are usually much more important than things, but such is life.  Anyways, her earrings were so nifty and edgy, and I loved how the crisp white of her tee shirt matched the crisp white of the plate rubber banded around the coffee can tip jar.  So fun.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

If you like this, you should take a look at Spray Paint.

Burger Queen

This just made me giggle, it was so cute.  This statue is on top of a restaurant in Coney Island, and from the Boardwalk, you can see the magnificent Wonder Wheel behind it.  Together with the American flag and the mug of Brooklyn Lager... it just looks so patriotic.  To add to that, this photograph was taken on the Fourth of July! ( That's the USA's Independance Day.)  I'm a vegetarian, but this cutie might convince me to have a burger.  So fun.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Carousel for a very different kind of Carnival Ride

On the Vine

This is yet another photograph of a store window, taken while the store was closed.  I was walking down Park Avenue one night, pretty late, when this caught my eye.  It was a window display with faux grapes, mossy trees, and yellow forsythia.  Out came my camera!  And this picture was the best result.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you liked this, have a little extra fun with your wine with A Little Something Special.

Pink is Pretty

I think that my title pretty much covers it.  This rose was one of hundreds of bright pink roses in Stuyvesant Square Park a few weeks ago.  They were intertwined through trestles, and around small garden statues.  Once again, I found myself wishing that I had a garden so that I could fill it with roses.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you swooned over this photograph, or even if you just liked it, take a look at Spring.

Window to the Soul

So this isn't really a window to the soul.... but it is a pretty window!  And ny soul wishes that it were a window on my building.  I was just strolling through Bed-Stuy one day when I saw this- the entire building was rather lovely, but this window, with the crisp white box full of flowers, and swirly heart-shaped iron work caught my eye.  I'm jealous of whoever lives here.  They have nice taste in windows.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Try out Open a New Door.

Fig Jam

Not only is Grand Central Station a beautiful train station, it contains a beautiful market.  Grand Central Market is my favourite market in the city.  Though Union Square Greenmarket is exquisite, there is something about the classy feel of Grand Central that wins me over every time.  The food is just so gourmet... like this Fig Jam.  Brought to you from Spain, just for you to put on your krumpets.  Oh, and it's a perfect accompaniment to cheese.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you like this, then take a look at some Baubles.

Hydrangeaology

Hydrangeas are so cool.  Cool doesn't even cut it- they are exquisite.  Depending upon the amount of acidity in the soil, they range from blue to pink!  And, when soil is a mix of acid and base, they end up being a mix of colors, like the above specimen.  How wonderful!  This plant is in someone's front yard in Bed-Stuy.  I'm so jealous.  Note to self- once I get a front yard, get a hydrangea bush.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Do you love this photograph?  Take a look at Fairy Tale. I think you'll love that too.

Cookies

Grand Central Station is one of the coolest places in New York City, if not in the world.  In addition to taking you out of the city to the much more lush and pretty Connecticut and surrounding parts of New York State, it has amazing stores and markets.  Not to mention an astronomical ceiling.  (If you've ever been there, you'll get that pun.)  Most importantly, though, you can buy lots of sweets there, including these delectable looking cookies from Financier.  I was there after closing time, but these morsels were beckoning to me from within.  Next time I'm there during hours, I shall treat myself.  Yay!

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Do these cookies look yummy to you?  Why not dunk them in some Tea?

Feelin Blue

The flowers in New York City this summer have been extraordinary.  I apologize for the massive number of posts dedicated to them, but they have just been SO FANTASTIC that I absolutely cannot. help. myself.  Take these for instance.  I was trying to hurry towards the subway to get home one afternoon, because I had things to do, but, on my way through Union Square,  these called me towards them.  Silly flowers, making me take pictures :)

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Inspired?  Check out My High Horse.

Escape the Fires

I was walking through Chinatown to meet Danny at his dojo, when this building caught my eye.  The sun was beginning to set, and rays were casting off of buildings in the most intriguing ways.  This one, though, in particular, looked gorgous to me.  The sun had changed its single tone into multiple beautiful colors, that reflected the sunset.  Not only that, but it had picturesque West Side Story style fire escapes all over it.  My excitement was immesurable.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you liked this, then take a look at Danny fighting in Fight the Sunrise.

Pastels

This delightful floral tree is outside of some kind of office building in Bay Ridge.  The mix of white and purple flowers on one tree floored me. I was walking with Danny to the house of a friend of ours, and I actually made him stop in the middle of the sidewalk so that I could take this photograph.  Now, I do this all of the time, so he is pretty used to it.  He's basically a saint.  Not only does he put up with it, he thinks it's cute!  However, this time, we were running late.  Like we were already fifteen minutes late and had another ten minutes to walk.  It worked out though.  Our friend went to buy ingredients to make us omelettes, so we actually beat him to his house.  

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Masque

I love masks.  I love them.  I think they are so nifty.  I've been wanting to buy some kind of carnival mask for the longest time.  And, the other day, I finally caved and bought one!  Sadly, though, it wasn't this one.  This is a deluxe one that I saw in a store window in the East Village.  I lusted over it, but the store was closed, and my bank accounted would have hated me if I had given in to that desire.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

You're a Star

I don't know what type of flower this is, but I know that I saw it and instantly LOVED it.  This was the only one of its kind blooming in Madison Square Park the day I took this photograph.  Though it was alone, it didn't seem lonely; it seemed to be enjoying its right to shine brightly, a star.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Try out Lovebirds.

Brownstone

A street of brownstone houses in Bed-Stuy, in the morning.  The sun looks so pretty in residential neighborhoods in the early morning.  Very few people are out, and since the buildings are smaller, you can see the sunrise, and how it plays off of the windows.  Lovely.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

If you loved this post, try out Window Shopping.

The Black Knight

It's just a flesh wound...

No, not that black knight.  Though I do adore Monty Python.  This black knight is part of an iron fence around a garden right next to Madison Square Park.  Much less threatening, and, unfortunately, much less funny.  HOWEVER.  I am venturing to say... cooler.  Much cooler.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you thought this was better than the holy grail, take a look at a more serious knight in Wallace.

Red, for Love

This was from the same lovely day in Central Park that I took The Hike.  Everything was so green and amazing, and the sun was washing out all of my photographs like it was its job.  However, as with the previous picture, it sometimes worked out in my favour.  I like to think that this is another example of that.  These flowers were mostly huddled in a little gated off area full of gardening supplies, but some of them were peeping over the top into the clearing where I was enjoying the day.  The flowers don't quite look red in this photograph, but I promise, they were.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you loved this, try taking a look at Lace.

Wet and Wild

I was in Battery Park about two weeks ago and noticed this stunning fountain.  It's basically in the shape of a spiral, and at night, lights up cream coloured, with one shot of blue in the center.  Rather than being closed off with a pool, it is part of the sidewalk.  Which means that, if you walked over it in a moment of calm, you might think that you were standing in a puddle, and then suddenly be attacked by jets of water!  I was hoping to watch someone do this, but alas.  Nothing quite so funny happened.  Maybe next time I'm there, I'll forget and get swamped.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you enjoyed this, take a look at The Little Ship for a very different fountain.

The Hike

Danny and I were having a brunch picnic one day in Central Park, when we spotted these two ladies taking a walk along the rocks.  We were pretty impressed- both of us were wearing jeans and tee shirts, just comfy wear for walking around, laying in the grass, and frolicking.  Basically, I wore jeans so that I wouldn't have an embarassing moment if I slipped on a rock.  These women were both wearing miniskirts, and managed to navigate the sometimes treacherous rocks with ease.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Love this post?  Check out some serious rocks in Atop the Crags.

On Broadway

My biggest dream in life is to be on Broadway.  Though I have this photography blog, this a hobby.  My profession is actually acting.  I have wanted to be an actress since I was a little girl- my family would always have to stop me from singing Disney Princess songs in the middle of the night, or watch my five hour long sagas performed with my Barbies or dinosaurs.  So, I was incredibly joyous three years ago, when I moved to New York for school, to learn that I would be living on Broadway!  Of course, Broadway is a massive street that runs the entire length of Manhattan..... this sign, with the lovely flower basket, is on the intersection of 23rd St and Broadway.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you liked this, take a look at Back Alley of Comfort.

Buzzy Bees

I've never been particularly afraid of bumblebees.  Don't get me wrong.  I've been stung by them, and it hurts... a lot.  However, being around them never really disturbed me.  As long as you don't make rash movements, they will pretty much leave you alone.  All they want to do is polinate the flowers, like these two that I saw in Stuyvesant Square Park the other day.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you liked this, take a look at some flowers (without bees) in my photograph, And the Living is Easy.

So in Love

Strange dear, but true dear

When I'm close to you dear

The stars fill the sky

So in love with you am I

This has to have been one of my favourite centerpieces of all time.  It's from my boyfriend Danny's mother's wedding a month ago.  On ever table, there was a white rose, surrounded by smooth river stones and three pure white candles.  Once the lights were dimmed for the dancing to begin, the centre of each table lit up with beauty.  I loved it, and I hope that you do too!

Loughlin, Nevada, USA

Did this make you want to sing a little old love tune?  Take a look at To Die, To Sleep, and read yourself a little love sonnet.

Mardi Gras

I feel that I must be honest... this post has almost nothing to do with Mardi Gras.  It wasn't taken on Mardi Gras- it wasn't even taken in February.  It was taken in June.  I wasn't at some party, throwing beads, drinking and eating massive amounts of donuts, I was standing on a path in the summer sunshine chillin' out.  This photograph wasn't taken in Paris, or Barcelona, or Venice or New Orleans... it was taken in Loughlin.  So, why were there Mardi Gras coloured streamers hanging from this railing?  Only the powers divine (and the event planner) know.

Loughlin, Nevada, USA

If you liked this, I'd like to suggest Courtyard.  Once again, it has nothing to do with this post, but it might go along nicely.

........

...I'd like to apologize for my lack of replying to comments.  I have been really busy, and have had my posts queued up.  I PROMISE that I will be better at responding to your comments as they come.  To say that I appreciate your feedback is a drastic understatement- so please, let me know what you think.  And I will thank you for it.  Wholeheartedly :)

Watcher

This is an older photograph, taken in January at St. James Park.  This duck captured my intention immediately.  All of the other ducks were flapping around, quacking, swimming, fighting with one another... and this one just stood, watching.  It looked so pensieve, like it was analyzing the movements of the other ducks.  A commentator, a watcher, rather than a participator.

 London, England, UK

Like this?  Try Three's Company.

As Seen From Below

A chandelier in the casino.  I took this while standing almost directly below it- I never think to look at things that way.  This might sound corny, but it reminded me that there are multiple ways to view everything, in art, and in life.  

Thanks, chandelier.

Loughlin, Nevada, USA

Like this?  Check out Chandelier.

All You Need Is Love

Dooo doo doo doo doooo....

It was an extraordinarily hot afternoon in Nevada, like over one hundred degrees farenheit, when my boyfriend and I decided to take a quick stroll outside of the casino.  However, it wasn't humid, so it was nowhere near as beastly as I just made it sound.  Anyways, there was a little tributary off of the Colorado River designed to run through the casino, and they had stocked it with koi.  I love koi.  This is the third photograph of them to appear on this blog.  They just eminate peace.  Especially when they happen to form the shape of a heart!

Loughlin, Nevada, USA

If you like this, then you must must must take a look at Zen and Tranquility.

The Light Within

This lamp is in the Colorado Belle, a casino and hotel I visited a few weeks ago for Danny's mom's wedding.  The whole thing was rather fun.  The hotel was Mississippi steam boat themed, and all of the decorations were a bit kitschy.  This lamp and corresponding wall paper were two of my favourite decorations.

Loughlin, Nevada, USA

Like this?  You may want a nice Late Dinner.

Desert Rose

I had never been to the Southwest USA in my life.  When I got out of the airport in Las Vegas, I was stunned. Those films about the area, where all of the houses looked so foreign,  there were palm trees and cities were surrounded by miles upon miles of desert.... they weren't joking.  It was beautiful!  The plants were particularly fascinating to me.  Despite the lack of moisture, so many pretty flowers were blooming.  Like these ones.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Love this?  Take a look at Fairy Tale.

Hey Pumpkin

This photo is from this past fall.  There was a wonderful street market in Madison Square Park in October last year, and the highlight, for me at least, was a wooden house structure full of pumpkins.  Some were the big meaty kind, perfect for a halloween jack-o-lantern, and others were like this, dainty and decorative.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

If you like this, I think you'll love Beautiful Disaster.

When You Wish Upon a Star

This was some of the cutest grafitti I think that I have ever seen.  These star motifs were all over a bridge on the Hike and Bike trail- and someone drew a different cute smiley face on every single one of them.  As we walked over the bridge, I couldn't help but smile as well.

Austin, Texas, USA

Like this?  Check out some other fun grafitti with Close Minded.

The Rainbow Connection

Can you see the rainbow in the fountain?

Someday we'll find it

The rainbow connection

The lovers, the dreamers and me

Austin, Texas, USA

To see another photograph taken on the Hike and Bike Trail, take a look at Close Minded.

My Little One

A statue in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The way that the mother and child are holding one another is so tender.  It makes me want to curl up in the arms of a loved one.

London, England, UK

The Queen is In

When the Queen is present at a royal residence, the Union Jack flies high overhead.

The day that I visited Windsor Castle, she was in.

Windsor, England, UK

If you loved this, you'll absolutely fall head over heels for Atop the Crags.

Odette

I thought that black swans were a myth. 

Like unicorns, manticores and dragons, I thought that black swans were invented creatures who lived in our imaginations, not in the real world. St. James Park proved me wrong.  I came across this beauty, who walked right up to me, then proceeded to groom itself in the shallow water.  The music of swan lake filled my mind as I watched.

London, England, UK

If you like this, then you'll love a good Fairy Tale.

Wiser Ones

This little guy is a member of Castel Caerdydd, or Cardiff Castle's nifty collection of hawks, falcons and owls on display for the public.  The Castle is located in central Cardiff, and is rather picturesque, with a moted medieval keep in the center.  The occasional squawking of the birds enhanced the atmostphere.

Honestly, I just thought this one was cute.

Cardiff, Wales, UK

Like this?  Try out We See the Truth.

The Skinny One

This statue is displayed in the British Museum, right next to the more rotund statue of Buddha from the previous post.  I don't remember if this is supposed to be Buddha or not, but it is from the same era, and also from China.  

As opposed to Chubby Buddha, this statue makes me feel more reverent, calm, and at peace with the world around me. 

London, England, UK

If this made you feel zen, take a look at Zen.

Chubby Buddha

A Chinese Buddha statue in the British Museum.

He seems so delightfully jolly- I almost want to do a little dance.  Anyone else?

London, England, UK