The Photographers thread: Show us your stuff!!

[KC]

And one more ... can't resist, sorry:

[KC]

Mandarin Duck's pal, the Wood Duck, and a couple of mallard companions:

[Matt]

That's a beautiful duck. I've never seen a Mandarin duck before! What is it doing in NYC?  Was it brought in?

[KC]

Nobody knows what it's doing here, but it's been hanging out in Central Park (mostly) for the past couple of months. Speculation is it may be somebody's pet that flew the coop. At any rate, it's clearly an escapee ... it's banded:



As the name suggests, they are native to East Asia. To find out more than you ever wanted to know, just Google "Central Park Mandarin Duck." 

[Matt]

I recently took a trip out to Vegas (my first time there) and drove across the desert to LA/Malibu/Hollywood for a few days. The weather for this trip was awful. It was cold (it snowed in Vegas a couple days after we left) and rained on and off the whole trip. What I was most looking forward to was the drive across the desert from Vegas to LA. I envisioned great photo opportunities, but it was just pouring most of the way. However, there were a few minutes where the rain stopped long enough to get some shots, and even better -- the clouds were amazing. So these are not your typical desert photos. I hope one day to do the drive again and expect to actually have blue sunny skies.

I thought Vegas was really cool. I loved how over-the-top everything was, the Great Pyramids, New York City, Paris. The hotel where we stayed was the most beautiful hotel I've ever stayed at. And of course we went to see The Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil, which was also great. It was a quick trip in Vegas, but I still managed to lose some money in the casino (I expected to) and take a few shots of the more famous sights. But not too much venturing around on foot this trip, so these are just pretty typical shots.










This is from the top of the world's largest ferris wheel (The High Roller):





Speaking of the Beatles:

[Matt]

And, my favorite part of the trip... the drive through the desert.

[Matt]

I'm from Jersey, so beach and cliffs TOGETHER aren't natural to me. So I was pretty psyched by the view from the house where we stayed in Malibu (it's just about sunset). The line under the clouds is the ocean. The sky/ocean seem to blend in this photo:



Here's another brief moment without rain at Malibu Beach:



Cacti and wildflowers growing wild near the beach.



The rain would start in about 30 seconds from this shot:



We headed out to LA/Hollywood.  Since it had rained the day before, the smog had lifted and you could get great shots of LA. Last time I was there, I was much closer to the skyline and it was just a haze.



I've always wanted to see the Capitol Records building. For those who don't already know this, it's built to resemble a stack of albums on a turntable:





And one more shot... this is the only time I've ever seen the Grand Canyon, and it was from the plane.



A proper visit to the Grand Canyon is a bucket list item for sure.

[KC]

A proper visit to the Grand Canyon is a bucket list item for sure.

For me too ... if only I weren't scared of heights!

Those are great shots, Matt!

[Jed Cooper]

Kane’s Donuts opened up a new shop on Rte 1 in Saugus, Ma.  The location used to be the site for mini-golf, arcade, batting cages and an ice cream shop.  It was decided to keep the landmark orange dinosaur.




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[Jed Cooper]

The only thing I miss about Revere is my kids when I’m not with them.




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[KC]

The most photogenic bird in New York since the Central Park Mandarin Duck ... the Bryant Park American Woodcock.

Bryant Park is the large green space in Midtown Manhattan just behind the Library. I shot these on my lunch hour today. It was his lunch hour also! (They eat worms.)





Why did the woodcock cross the road?





I'm told they are migrating, resting here briefly and will continue on north. 

[Matt]

That's an unusual bird. It reminds me of the sandpipers down the beach, but with different coloring.

I've got another nest of four or five baby robins in the same spot again this year over my front porch. They hatched while I was away last week. I'm not sure if it's the same momma bird, or if one of the baby birds from last year returned and built a new nest. But, I seem to have a new nest of Robins in that same spot every year about this time.

[Matt]

I've been traveling around and taking photos, but not really having the time to go through them. My father's health was in decline, and I was spending more and more time with him in Florida. I took this picture last month at a Marco Island beach bar where we had dinner, drinks and a beautiful sunset, complete with jumping dolphins, and of course lots of gulls, herons, pelicans and egrets. This turned out to be our last sunset together. Unfortunately, he passed away this weekend, watching his beloved Eagles, in complete peace. I was looking through my photos for pictures of my last trip with him, and this one really touched me -- because I feel like that bird on the rock. He looks so alone, and so small in a great big world. And that's how it feels when you realize you're an adult orphan. You're never prepared to lose a parent, even when you think you are.  This picture just seems to embody all those feelings, so I wanted to share.

[KC]

Aww, Matt, I am so sorry! But what a beautiful picture to remember him by.

And yes, I can well believe you are feeling a bit like that poor lonely bird just now. You are so right that you're never prepared to lose a parent even when you think you are.

I'm thinking of you, wish I could be another bird perching on that rock so it would feel a bit less sad and lonely.

[Christopher]

Very sorry to hear that, Matt.

That is a great picture.

[The Schofield Kid]

My condolences to you and your family Matt.

Beautiful picture.

[Jed Cooper]

The first snowfall of the season, taken from the building I work in, located in Medford, Massachusetts.




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[Jed Cooper]

Matt,

I’m sorry about your dad, man.  May God Bless him, and may he Rest In Peace.  My heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to you and your family. 


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[Jed Cooper]

‪Red Reflections, January 2, 2020 atRiver’s Edge in Medford, MA




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[Matt]

That's a nice pic, Brian. I edited the size so the picture didn't skew the page. Happy New Year!