Category Archives: Photography

New York City

05 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in New York, Photography, vacation

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Did the Groupon Tour Bus to NYC the other day. Really nice trip and for $32 round trip, you couldn’t beat the price. Left the Carney Park and Ride at 7:26am and was parked in NY at 10:25am. Had to be back to the bus by 6:30pm. Nice long day of sight-seeing. It has been close to 30 years since I have been there. Back then it was smelly and dirty and I saw someone get robbed right outside of Penn Station…

First stop, Times Square.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Inside the church.

Past Rockefeller Center and thru some back streets to this guy made of Coach bags. I was waiting for the girl to start singing… “Mothra…”

The first Trump property we saw. Armed Tactical Police outside with dogs. Secret Service inside with scanners. Looking down from the top of the waterfall.

From walking around mid-town to Central Park. Not sure what was going on with the woman in the pink top, to the left. It looks like her transporter malfunctioned.

On the hour and half hour, these guys rotate around the base of the clock.

Nice zoo in the park.

 

Model yacht sailing on one of the lakes.

Was goiing to ask Alice something, but she seemed pre-occupied knocking this little kid off her toadstool…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the oblisk.

Then to Belvedere castle.

View of the turtle pond with many of them basking in the sun, along with the egret.

Across the pond to the Grand Lawn.

We were supposed to go to the Natural History Museum, instead, we were enjoying just seeing the sites, we kept on going…The Dakota.

Which then took us back to Central Park and Imagine.

Lots of people trying to pay their respects. This was the only rowdy scene all day. Some rickshaw driver started cussing out tourist as he was hogging up the photo-op for his passengers. Surrealistic.

Another Trump Property, for the man who would be king and have this in his hands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relections.

This was pretty neat – a wall of plants, just barely hanging on by their roots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lincold Center.

And of course, a bunch of water towers.

 

Grand Turk Island

26 Friday May 2017

Posted by in nature, Photography, Travel

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After two and a half days at sea we finally made port. This was a six and a half hour stop. Because I had gotten some sunburn, which is unusual for me, even though I had a ton of SPF50 on, we decided we would not spend all our shore time laying on the beach. I signed us up for a history tour of the island. Woo Hoo!!

Getting ready to dock about 8am. Look at that water.

The dock and visitor center. Be sure to take your Boarding Pass and ID. And don’t cross the yellow lines on the pier!

Kathy waiting for the tour bus…or me to to stop taking photos of everything!

The tour was only supposed to be 1-1/2 hours in an air conditioned bus. it was more like 2 hours. First stop, an area outside of Cockburn Town (our tour guide got a kick out of saying “Cockburn” multiple times??) Above are some local shops.

The first stop was 15 minutes long so we left the main strip and headed towards the salt ponds. Grand Turk was a salt producer.

Quite a few of these around. Raise and lower water in the salt ponds but more importantly, they divert flood waters off the island back into the sea.

Horses and donkeys roam freely on the island. There is our tour bus.

Kathy looking for our winter home. Tour guide said the wooden homes were built from shipwreck wood.

Some of the colorful buildings.

Boat on the beach.

Heading to our next stop we see a replica of John Glenn’s space capsule – don’t blink or you will miss it!

Our second stop was at the far end of the island. The light house. Because of the people who lag behind, that have to use the bathroom after 20 cups of coffee…we didn’t have enough time to go inside.

Kathy making some new friends.

Tour is over and we head back to the ship to change our clothes for the beach. Here comes the Carnival Splendor.

Local took our pic for us. May have been one of the crew members?

Kathy looking for sea glass. Found some nice pieces. This side of the pier had more rock/coral under the water. Had to go out a ways to avoid it. Water was great!

Watching the people on the Splendor disembark. Big ass ship!

Time to set sail and one last memory of our stop on the island…On to Half Moon Cay

Getting There – Days 1, 2 and 3

17 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by in Photography, Travel, vacation

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For Christmas I gave Kathy and myself a cruise to the Bahamas. Since Kathy is the one who showed me how to kayak and we have been going whenever we can, I thought how cool would it be to go kayaking in the Bahamas. So on Sunday we headed to the cruise ship Carnival Pride and set sail.

I think the worst part of any cruise is the waiting. It seemed like forever to get to the gang plank to get on board. It was fairly cool out so standing in line wasn’t too bad. Our boarding time was about 1pm and the boat set sail just after 5pm. Above we see them loading supplies and fueling up.

One mistake I made booking this cruise was to get an obstructed balcony (cheap bastard!) Next time will be a full balcony. The sign on the window said not to open door, but we did. Nothing like sleeping with the sound of waves breaking.

The suitcases were delivered really fast, so we unpacked and headed to one of my favorite sights – to see if the ship will pass under the Key Bridge without hitting it!

Yes it did!

Roamed around some – Kathy with a ‘K’ behind her.

One of these days I’m going to get out to that fort.

From the Key Bridge to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge – moving right along.

Raining off in the distance.

Chilling in a hammock.

Heading out into the open sea.

The water was unbelievably blue! Two and a half days at sea. Lots to do, plenty of food. Lots of sun and sunburn! (for me, not Kathy)

Cruisin…

16 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in nature, Photography, Travel

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Hard to catch up on Facebook and WordPress posts after being away for a week. Sorry if I missed anyones birthday. I did check on occasion but was really too busy and really didn’t care about most of what I did see (political commentary). What did amaze me was that people started posting Happy Mothers Day post late Thursday night! What did I learn from my momma? To never look at this…but that’s where the fun is!

National Aquarium, Baltimore

26 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Aquarium, Baltimore, Photography

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Hard to believe my daughter is 24. For her birthday she wanted to go to the zoo but because of the nasty weather, we went to the Aquarium instead. it is always a good time with her, Kevin and Kathy.

Kevin, Jules and their new friend – the sloth (couldn’t see the one inside, he was way up in a tree sleeping for 22 hours).

Non-stop raining outside. The USS Torsk. Didn’t it use to have shark teeth painted on the front?

Top of the stairs, everyone wants their photo taken here. I did like the layout of the aquarium, you just follow a path thru the building and you pretty much get to see everything, except of course when the bratty little kids just bust right on thru putting their grubby little hands all over the windows.

So now I see a problem – when smart phones came out I refused to use one as my camera. God made phones for a reason, cameras for another. Well, this photo was taken with a point and shoot that I bought specifically for taking pics thru glass.

And here is one from my daughter’s iPhone! I just may have to sell all my cameras, laptop and every other device to get one of these!

Moving on…this reminded me of kayaking at Dundee Creek for some reason.

Turtle floating about.

I didn’t even notice this guy until someone pointed him out to me.

Another great shot my daughter took.

Morie!

Nice colors and reflections on top the water, looking up from underneath.

This guy is starting to collect some algae.

Here is one of the oldest residents at the Aquarium.

Him and the three legged sea turtle have been here since the aquarium opened.

Calypso the sea turtle getting fed.

Sitting, watching, waiting…

Nice colors.

What a life.

Quite a variety of underwater plant life.

Julie petting a ray.

Overhead display.

Kevin and Julie. It is unbelievable how my daughter looks now compared to back in November, when she had a tumor removed. Thanks God.

Domino Sugar Hon.

J for Jules.

Back to the house for some cake – Tres Leches (Milk Cake). Thanks Kathy for making!

Easter on the Eastern Shore

16 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by in Hiking, nature, Photography

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Spent Easter with Kathy’s family down on the Eastern Shore. Always a great time. On the drive home we stopped at a couple places.

The first being just outside of Easton. This is one of those historical markers that you go flying by and have a hard time pulling over to read. But we did.

This is a little church (meeting house) and cemetery. Also where the first peaches in Maryland were planted.

Another little cemetery behind the house.

Yes they are.

Then we headed to Terrapin Park on the Chesapeake. This is always a great walk. We started on the outer loop, walked the beach and then took the inner paths back to the lot. There were a lot of cars in the lot but not sure where all the people were? This was on a bench.

Hard to get Sid Vicious to pose.

Alien markings on a piece of driftwood.

Nice little bridge.

Driftwood with drift nail.

Fire wood?

Cement cylinders along the shore.

Looking for other dogs to terrorize.

Adrift? Was hoping it would come our way but it seemed to be anchored down.

Wishing to dandelion seeds, spreading across the park…

Property next to the farm. Potential for a new home to be built…the steps are there!

Light City City Lights

10 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by in art, Baltimore, Photography

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Moon over Marriott.

Was able to go into the lighthouse this year.

Dusk view of umbrella boat.

A couple hours later.

Mesmerizing wheel.

Movie time

This is what happens when someone bumps you while taking a photo.

Bmore.

Alyssa and Patrick

Later found out these were up-skirt cameras??!!

In search of the egg.

Electric lit egg on water.

To be reborn through the egg…

Wonder what the resident falcons up there think of all this?

Looking up the World Trade building

The Eastern Avenue pumping station.

It was a very nice time. Lots of people. Friends and family. And a special thanks to the Operator Supervisor that let us park at the pumping station.

Neighborhood City Lights

02 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by in art, Baltimore, Photography

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Decided this year to visit the neighborhood displays of The City Lights projects. Lauraville was first, since I live here:

Getting ready for the unveiling.

After here we went to Montebello to see the Montebellephant.

Unbelievable. The signs were a little hard to read.

Next we headed to Hampden. Not much going on there but for this lone work…

Then down to Little Italy, which is always a mad house.

Blocked off High Street.

Not really sure I understood this concept art??

 

Salisbury Zoo

30 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by in Hiking, nature, Photography

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Before Salisbury had a zoo, it had a lake – Lake Humphreys, which was created by the building of a dam in 1743. On May 28, 1909 the dam gave way and the lake went dry. Or actually it turned into a mud flat. And it sat like that for a while until the City Park was built, This included building a zoo.

It was a nice day out Saturday and Kathy says “Let’s go to the zoo!” So we did –

Jumped in the car, took a couple back roads and came across these guys. They were kind of far away and I didn’t have my good camera with me. After a while on the side of the road we started heading back to the highway. Me: Where we going? Kathy: To the zoo. Me: I thought that was the zoo?? Duh…

So into Salisbury we go. The City park is really nice. Nice family atmosphere with walking trails, picnic areas, horse shoes, etc. This is what you get for being the Director of Public Works for only 4 years. A bronze propeller.

Nice walking trails around the park.

The zoo. It is free and it wasn’t until we got back to Kathy’s parents house that I was told there is a donation box there. I didn’t see it.

This guy has some sort of attention disorder. He couldn’t stop looking up over the wall to see what was going on.

Not much you can say about this guy other than magnificent.

One thing I’ve never liked is seeing eagles caged up.

Acting up for the camera.

Relaxing.

Where’s John Waters??

These two guys share this spot with a bird, who keeps shitting on them…one day the bird will be in their jaws, wondering, well how did I get here?

Did a complete loop around the park and ended up at this little dam. I imagine the sluice gates are to allow water down stream if the level drops below the top of the dam. Nice walk in the park.

Research, Photos and Copyrights part 2

03 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by in Baltimore, Photography, water history

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Over the past two weeks I have been asked to research information for a couple of projects going on in the water department. Not really my job but I love doing it. Mostly it is looking up contract drawings and old photos, such as this one:

This was sent to me by an architect that is going to rebuild this old pumping station and she wanted some background information. The building no longer looks like this – the roof is missing. By the caption on it, this photo belongs to the Maryland Historical Society, but how is it that I have the original photograph?

Below is an example of a photo that is in another collection, copyrighted to them, but I have the original Glass Plate Negative

I found this one in the Hughes Collection at the University of Baltimore. Interesting about this is the original writing is missing, as will be seen later.

Another Hughes Collection

mh006

And then there are the photographs that people have in their private collection/scrapbooks. The writing on these match the handwriting of the photographer who took the photo and marked it. It is different than those in the Hughes collection.

All this is to say that history is history and should be shared. I just get pissed when people try to charge for these photos. I recently talked with someone who mentioned he has Baltimore Sun photos. I also have quite a few, but was curious about their continued sales on both Ebay and various websites. The Sun sold their collection to the Tribune who sold it to another company who apparently sold to a place called Digital Fortress. I went on their site and saw that they had photos of ones that I had, that the Tribune told me, mine were originals and would never be reproduced again?? I wrote them and asked and this new company says they sure enough sell reproductions that I could even buy on canvas all the way up to 20″ x 30″ !!! WTF – I might as well just take mine and go to Walmart!

Who really owns these pics??!!