Gramercy Park

Yesterday's travels brought me to the gates of Gramercy Park, one of New York's most exclusive patches of greenery. Unfortunately, only residents of nearby buildings get keys to the park (though I did hear a rumor involving a certain Airbnb rental and park access). On the bright side, the fence, in addition to keeping the riffraff general public out, also makes a great photographic framing device.

View of the park from the east. Check out the keyholders strolling by

Straight up the middle of the park, and Lexington Avenue

A better shot of the statue from across the street

Singapore: Inside Out

I met up with the Forefront Photo Guild last night; and after a brief chat about found light, we went out to nearby Madison Square Park to find some light. We stumbled across the under-construction Singapore: Inside Out exhibition; and I couldn't tell whether or not the scaffolding is part of the exhibition, but it does kind of tie the room together. 

Tavern at Rest

Today's travels brought me to a Manhattan watering hole that shall not be named, and while sitting at a certain angle, I couldn't resist the call of the camera.

Straight down the middle

Taps at rest

Pulaski Bridge

I walked over the Pulaski Bridge, between Long Island City and Greenpoint, after writers' group last night, because it'd been a few days since I'd taken some pictures, and my shutter finger was itchy.
Yes, even with all the exploring I do, some days I don't always see anything that says "Jeff, photograph me or you'll regret it!"
I digress. The bridge took me over the entrance to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, one of the only at-grade railroad crossings in the city, and past one of Brooklyn's trademark welcome signs.

Queens-Midtown Tunnel toll booths

Skyline and the Suicide Fence

LIRR at-grade railroad crossing near Hunterspoint Avenue

Like No Other Place In The World!

Greenpoint and 1 World Trade Center

Roosevelt Island

After a slow day at work, I took advantage of one of my few weeknights without plans and took a spur of the moment photography trip over to Roosevelt Island.

East side skyline marching down the river

Triborough Bridge and Midtown

Looking down on Main Street

Retired tram cars resting underneath the bridge to Queens

Welcome Center - and the Eleventh Commandment

One Hell of a Road Trip

Yesterday's travels brought me to Kips Bay, just east of Grand Central Terminal, where I found this most interesting of license plates.
Also, a couple night shots from Washington Square Park.

This guy must've driven all the way from Aruba

Wet and peaceful - Washington Square Park fountain on a rainy night

Prelude before Chick-Fil-A: Washington Square Arch at night

Brooklyn Bridge (or, Too Many Shots for One Post)

I did get to see the tribute lights! After braving the firefighter/first responder crowds near Engine 10, I headed for the Brooklyn Bridge and braved the tourist crowds. Were the shots worth it? I think so. 

Panoramic shot of the Manhattan Bridge

Verrazano Narrows Bridge in the distance

Midtown Skyline

Tribute lights together with the new 1 WTC

What Tourists Left Behind

Congrats Lauren.

Never Forget

I worked all day yesterday, because Your Humble Photographer's got bills to pay and coffee to buy. In the evening, I saw someone mention the tribute lights on Facebook, so I headed downtown, phone and zoom lens in hand, to check it out.

Crowd milling around Engine/Ladder 10 at 124 Liberty St

FDNY Band

Reunion crowd with One World Trade Center rising in the background

Tribute lights rising above the skyline

While Waiting for a Meetup

Despite my normal fashionably-lateness, I got to yesterday's Living Quirky Meetup on time. So on time that I was the first one there.
What ever was I to do?  

Washington Square arch with One Fifth Avenue rising in the distance

Washington Square Park and not quite Will Smith's house from I Am Legend, but right down the block

A better shot of the park and the arch

Washington Mews. Mostly NYU's language houses are here

Once I got back to The Uncommons (a literal game room just south of Washington Square Park, more fellow Quirksters had arrived; and I ended up having a great time. 

World Financial Center

I met up with my best NYC friend after a long almost-a-month apart after she (yes, a she) texted me at random this evening. Random Hangouts are the best! You know what else is the best? Pictures! 

Grilled cheese with a side of mac and cheese. Delicious!

Jersey City skyline from outside Brookfield Plaza

Yachts tied up nearby

Yachts again, with a... 9/11 commemorative lightbeam behind them? It's that time of year again.

Jersey City skyline from inside the Brookfield Place food court.

End of the Line

My duties brought me to Sutton Place, at the easternmost end of East 52nd Street. As soon as I saw this block, I knew I couldn't leave without taking a few pictures. 

Pepsi Cola sign flanked by Long Island City condos

Williamsburg Bridge and downtown Brooklyn in the distance

The Triborough, ahem, Ed Koch, Bridge, up close and personal

The End

Stuck in Times Square

As a born and bred New Yorker, it's in my DNA to avoid Times Square. Period.
Given my line of work, it's inevitable that I'll end up there from time to time - and not just to change trains.
Luckily, even for a longtime New Yorker with an eye for detail, there's still something to photograph.

Random clock face seen from 45th Street

I've always liked these stairways on the outsides of many theaters

Construction frame at 47th and 7th

Coffee Walk

One of my favorite pastimes, no matter where I am (except when visiting Vermont) is to head out late at night on a walk. Just my headphones, my coffee and I. Now that I'm back in New York, here's what a typical coffee walk looks like.

WABC-7 News studios, Columbus Avenue at 65th Street

Lights of Columbus Circle, from Broadway in the mid sixties

Maine Monument - commissioned by William Randolph Hearst after the USS Maine blew up in 1898

Roadwork crew at 7th Avenue at 57th Street, with the blurry lights of Times Square in the distance

Birthday balloons marooned at the 50th Street (1) station