Procrastinating (or working?)

The summer solstice is soon upon us.  That means it’s time for the Coney Island Mermaid Parade!

In celebration, I decided to put together a special project.  Going through my archives of photo’s from the parades of years past, I discovered some pictures I haven’t looked at for quite some time.

Instead of working on the project (with a very short window to make it for Saturday, June 21), I edited my feathered friend below.

So while you wait for my next production, enjoy the company of the “un-official” New York City bird.

We spent an afternoon together watching the East River; her friends and the nearby sea gulls were investigating every movement on and off-shore for the food options of the day.

Me, I just sat with my old Leica M4 and Kodi George by my side waiting to see what would pass us by.

 

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

 

Fort Tilden Part Three: Views from the Tower

When I encounter something never seen before, I become a little unsettled.  I think that is true for most people.  Questions that came to mind quickly were: what the heck was this thing and what hid behind its walls?  (see prior post.)  Further research shows this is actually Battery Harris, a gun battery used during the war/s.

 

As I approached the stairs, a man was climbing down from the tower, so I stepped aside to let him pass.  I wanted this space all to myself.

WOW.  Incredible.  To the East was Long Island.  To the South the Atlantic.  To the West New York Harbor and New Jersey.  To the North Coney Island and Manhattan.  And directly below, 173 feet below, dunes and natural vegetation.

I stayed up here for about 30 minutes.  A cruise ship was leaving the harbor.  Tankers were waiting at anchorage.  Pleasure boats were cruising in and out of Jamaica Bay.  And I had this place all to myself.

At some point a father and son started the journey up the steps and I used this as my cue to head out.  Plus I needed to get those other shots before the sun finally set.  And my bravery was starting to waver just a bit…

THIS IS NEW YORK CITY.  crazy!

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

 

Splashing in The New Year Polar Bear Style

I spent New Years Day on Coney Island.  An annual event had sparked my curiosity and I wanted to experience it first hand.

Since 1903 the Polar Bear Club has been holding it’s annual New Year’s Day Swim.  I traveled the distance with camera in hand.  Clothed in my ski gear and feet protected by my yellow wellies, I figured I would be “water proofed” to get as close as possible without actually going in.

As I waited for the event to begin, my toes started to freeze up.  Standing in the ocean, they actually began to warm.  The outside temperature was about 38˚ F, the water temperature was about 45˚F.

The first group raced to the water at 1:oopm.  It was such a rush to watch-truly driven by adrenaline.  Such enthusiasm and zest for life!  Incredibly contagious!!

As I watched the bathers come back to shore, some had shear delight in their expressions, some had shear pain.  I myself was in about calf high and experienced just a bit of the salt water rush I was witnessing.

I wish everyone joy in the New Year.  To a fabulous 2013-take the plunge!

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

The Merry-Go-Round

When I was a little girl, my grandparents would take my sister and I to the boardwalk on the Jersey Shore.  Our particular part of the world was “Seaside Heights“.  Before the days of Great Adventure (Six Flags) this is where we screamed on the roller coaster, bumped the bumper cars and ate salt water taffy, cotton candy & ice cream until our bellies were ready to burst.

But the most fun of all is when we got to ride on the Merry-Go-Round.  I would always have to be on a horse that moved up and down-I would fly!

©2012 teresa kruszewski, photographer

When I was very little my grandfather would stand beside me and hold on to make sure I would never slip off.  As I got older, they would let me ride on my own-such freedom! The joy was that each time I went around, I would see my grandmother sitting on the park bench and she would wave to me.  Oh boy was that terrific fun!

Seaside was such a great place as a child.  This is where my grandfather would win us large stuffed animals all by tossing a few rings at a glass bottle.

It was later as a teenager that I would win my first prize, a record album “The Best of Bread” at the booth with the large spinning wheel.  Man, was I excited.  I still think I have it around somewhere…

I always wanted to work at the boardwalk when I was old enough.  Gran would not have it. She was concerned about what went on after the sun went down.  Me, I thought it would be the coolest thing in the world!

Well, I never did get to work there.  But I have wonderful memories of riding that Merry-Go-Round so many years ago.

Recently, I had a chance to ride a different carousel in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. This is the oldest carousel on the Island (built-in 1876).  Maybe even the US.  [It is listed in the National Historical Register as an official landmark. Prior to moving to Martha’s Vineyard in 1884, the carousel spun on Coney Island’s boardwalk]*

©2012 teresa kruszewski, photographer

My sister took me there to ride the “Flying Horses”.  On this ride you get to reach for the “brass ring” every time you go around.  There is only one on each ride, and if you are lucky enough to grab it the next ride is free.  There is also a bit of competition among riders (of all ages) trying to out-do each other with the quantity of rings you pull for your total ride. I still haven’t pulled the brass ring, but there will always be the next time around…

The ride on the Merry-Go-Round will make you smile and the memories will last a lifetime. So what are you waiting for?  Go out and Fly!

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

*[information provided by About.com]

July 4th, NYC Style

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.  “Summer in the city…”

It is also the day that I kick back and see the world in a different way.  It’s a day I seriously “people watch” as you will find many wonderful things going on all around you.

Children acting without a care in the world-just relishing the  joy of being a child.  Families laughing, playing games, having picnics together.

It is also a day for hot dog lovers.  Enter Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island.

Last 4th of July, I braved the beaches and crowds of Coney Island.  Little did I know what lie ahead.  I parked myself on a bench and watched through my camera lens.  Fascinating. But then again, people watching always is….

I then ventured down to the waters edge.  And walked toward the main beach.  As I got closer and closer, the density of sun worshipers increased.  It seriously reminded me of being on the 6 train during rush hour.

Children and adults alike, did not seemed phased one bit.  Instead they were having a heck of a time rubbing suntan lotion on loved ones, digging holes and building sandcastles. Exactly what one does when at the beach.

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Tomorrow, I will probably find myself back at Coney Island once again.  Why not?  It’s how we celebrate July 4th,  New York City Style!

Have a Happy!

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®