Did you know there are National and World Championships for trampoline? A few of those champions took to the tramps in Central Park yesterday as Winter Jam attracted kids and adults alike to see the high flying show. There was also a snow boarding ramp, with performances throughout the afternoon. Visitors could watch the athletes or shop a variety of stands to buy their endorsed gear. 
The Hudson River really doesn’t need much to be major point of interest for New Yorkers and tourists alike. Since it’s frozen, though, the great shapes made by the ice make the views much more interesting. Check out this story of the Hudson freezing back in the day.
I was walking through Father Demo Square in the NYC’s West Village when a woman in a thick blue jacket began to throw bird seed on the ground from a plastic bag she held at her hip. Instantly, she was surrounded by pigeons, diving this way and that, swooping in for whatever scraps they could pick at. She must have dropped eight or ten handfuls of the stuff, because soon she was once around the water fountain and pigeons filled the square.
As always, I had my camera with me so, like the birds, I swooped in. After snapping off only a few photos I heard someone behind me clapping and shouting “Fly home! Fly home!” I turned around to see the woman who had just fed them staring at me with a concerned look on her face. I smiled back.
“They don’t understand,” she said. “They think that you’re trying to feed them, not take pictures. And they need to go home.”
So, apparently, pigeons don’t understand the difference between feeding them and taking pictures, but they do understand the words “fly home.” Thanks for the reality check, Dr. Dolittle. Why don’t you tell them to stop pooping on statues or help fix the MTA’s budget deficit. Use those powers of pigeon communication for good, not the mundane. And while I apologize for confusing the pigeons maybe you should just fly home too.
Ok, so the the dramatic hues are apparently caused by pollution, but whatever — New Jersey Sunsets are beautiful.Here are two shots — one taken just before sunset, and the other just after it’s gone down. You can see how the colors change dramatically.
Just thought you should know. I saw it happen. 
And now I feel cool. Kind of.
“I’m on first and first. How can the same street intersect with itself? I must be at the nexus of the universe.” ~ Cosmo Kramer
You can purchase this print at my Etsy site.
I didn’t start thinking about it until after I checked this shot for exposure, but every time you are looking at someone in the streets of New York, someone else is looking at you. What do they see. What do they think at first glance? What are they listening to in those enormous headphones? Life is a mystery.
My biking brethren! I had to keep going downtown, but if you hang out around Astor Place in the late afternoon, you can get some fun-lit shots because of the reflection off of that big blue glass building. As you can tell, I didn’t check what it was, but it helps cast an interesting light.
With the sun rising at 7:20 this morning I thought it might be a good chance to get out without completely depriving myself of sleep. The sunrise was absolutely perfect. Purple-ish to pink and eventually a golden orange glow. Alas, my favorite shot of the morning has nothing to do with it!
(This gum shot is available for purchase on my Etsy site.)
So it’s taken me basically, no, completely the entire Christmas season to get around to taking some shots of Rolf’s, a German fare bar near New York City’s Gramercy Park. Alas, here is the evening blog about the bar so packed with decorations it draws tourists from all over and has even been featured on the Travel Channel. (I live a block and a half away.)
I took a shot of the entire window and then tried to pick it apart, scene by scene. Mind you it is in the 20s out tonight, it’s dark, and I was shooting hand held. As you can see taking photos of just the window are ok, but just too busy for me.
I picked up on an angel in the corner and decided it was worth a few shots.
(This shot is available for purchase at my Etsy site.)
Now this one says Christmas to me. Best wishes to all my readers in the New Year.
(This bicycle shot is available for purchase at my Etsy shop.)
New Years Eve
New Year's Eve View to New Jersey
I wanted to leave you with this shot from Rockefeller Center for the holidays. One of my favorites from this winter so far. I’m headed home, so the blog will go a few days without any updates. It’s been a great holiday season in NYC. Everyone is here. The shows are at capacity. (By the way, go see In the Heights. And, I know it’s late, but the Rockettes show is very cool too.) If it doesn’t rain or all melt away, we should have snow on the ground for Christmas. All is good. All is bright.
Central Park Statue Wings, originally uploaded by marc.cappelletti. Available for purchase on Etsy.com.
This statue, the “Angel of the Waters” is absolutely stunning. The neo-classical sculpture was actually the only sculpture commissioned as part of the original design of the park. I hope my shot does her justice.
(This photo, Angel of the Waters, is available for purchase at my Etsy shop.)
