Green-Wood

This is the entrance to Green-Wood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark in Brooklyn and the final resting place to some famous New Yorkers. It's a beautiful place to visit, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing. More than a century ago it was a big tourist attraction and people used to drive through the wandering paths in their horse-drawn carriages. The entrance is also the roosting place for some exotic birds which escaped from a shipment at Kennedy airport many years ago.

Here you can see some of them. They make quite a noise with their chirping.

Minerva Statue

This statue of the goddess Minerva stands at the highest point in Brooklyn, overlooking New York Harbor. She is supposedly saluting the Statue of Liberty which you can see to the right in the photo. There was quite a lot of controversy in recent years over the construction of the building you can see in front of the statue. Afraid that the new building would obstruct Minervaʼs famous view, there was an outcry from neighborhood residents. Eventually there was an agreement that the building would be constructed in such as way as to not block the view from this famous statue. She really does have a nice view.

Heading South

I guess these geese were taking a break from their trip down south for the winter. The geese are often seen as a nuisance in the parks here nowadays since there are so many of them, but I still like to see them floating in the water. They make for a pretty fall picture.

Thank You

Today on Veteran's Day we recognize all of the sacrifices of our veterans and their families. To honor the day, this is a photo from the Civil War section of Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. You can see more about it here. http://video.nytimes.com/video/2007/05/25/nyregion/1194817114247/green-wood-remembers-civil-war-dead.html

Gloomy Times Square

It was so gloomy and rainy on Saturday in Times Square that it made the lights look all the more bright. This picture was taken in the middle of the afternoon. Luckily it was just one day of heavy rain and then Sunday was beautiful. Times Square got its name when the New York Times Building was built in this area around the turn of the 20th century. Times Square is also the start of the Lincoln Highway, which begins here and goes across the country.

Have a good week ahead!

Booksellers

Whenever I see these book stalls along Fifth Avenue they remind me of the bouquinistes in Paris. (Maybe they are modelled after them?) I wish we had more here because it's always fun to browse. I think they are only there in the warmer months. Enjoy your weekend and see you Monday!

Soaring Building

I took this photo at the beginning of the summer when this building on 42nd Street was still being finished. You can see some of the windows were still boarded up. I tried to find more information about it, with no luck. It's probably another office building, but I like the architecture and the way it looks in the full sun.

Hail to the Chief!

Stike up the band, we have a new President!!! Soon they will be playing hail to the chief for President Barack Obama! It was an exciting night watching the election returns. President Obama has a lot to tackle when he takes over, but here's hoping for good things ahead!! Congratulations Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States!

Election Day

It's a big day here on election day and I was trying to find an appropriate photo for it, that would show both sides. I saw this McCain supporter making his case recently in front of an Obama sign. So I figured that would work for my picture today. Everybody make sure to go out and vote!

Marathon 2008

I didn't get very many good photos from the marathon this year. I forgot to take out my camera after the beginning! But here are a few....this is arriving at the start in Staten Island super early in the morning.

Crossing the Verrazano Narrows bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn....

... and one of the fireboats celebrating the start as the runners crossed over the bridge. It was a lovley sight. I hope you have a great week ahead!