Better Bird Pictures

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In the preceding post (See: A failed photograph) I wrote about the sad story of me trying to take a photography of a duck frolicking in the Hudson River – and dismally failing.

But I can be very stubborn, so I quickly returned to the scene of the crime with a different camera with a longer lens. Regrettably there were no frolicking ducks, but there were some very active seagulls. They seemed to be diving for something edible and frequently fighting with each other over the spoils.

I’m much happier with these photographs than I was with the failed duck photos. I guess persistence does indeed have it’s rewards.

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Taken with a Sony RX10 IV

A failed photograph

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While walking down by the River Hudson the other day I had a great opportunity to get a picture of a Mallard splashing around in the river.

Unfortunately, I completely messed it up. Why?

  1. Wrong camera. I didn’t expect to be taking pictures of birds, and my camera didn’t have a long enough lens.
  2. I couldn’t get close enough to the bird. So, I had to crop a lot. I might have gotten away with it with my 33megapixel Sony A7IV, but I didn’t have it with me. The Sony RX100 VII that I did have with me had only 20megapixels.
  3. In my rush to try to get the shot I forgot that the background (the river) was much lighter than the subject (the bird) and did not adjust the exposure accordingly. Consequently, the bird was badly underexposed.

Still, you live and learn. The river’s not going anywhere, neither are the ducks and hopefully I’ll still be around for a while longer. So, if keep going down to the river (hopefully with a better birding camera) the opportunity will probably come around again.

Taken with a Sony RX100 VII

Meeting Alexander in New York City for dinner – Alexander

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And that was about it. I met Alexander at the Wheeltapper Pub in the Fitzpatrick Hotel where we had an early dinner and a few beers. I didn’t take any pictures because: I already had some from previous visits; it was a bit dark; and I was more focused on eating and drinking than I was taking pictures.

After that we walked to Grand Central Terminal where I took this picture. Then we went our separate ways.

All in all, a very pleasant day.

Taken with my ancient iPhone SE II

Meeting Alexander in New York City for dinner – The Vanderbilt YMCA

by Posted in Buildings/Structures Leave a comment
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Located at 224 E 47th St (between 2nd and 3rd), its website describes its history as follows:

Bearing the name of one of the YMCA of Greater New York’s most benevolent families, the Vanderbilt YMCA Branch opened in its current location in 1932 and was then known as the “Railroad YMCA.” Now focused on meeting the needs of nearby residents, office workers, and members of the United Nations community, the branch was originally established in 1875 to provide housing for the nation’s railroad men. One of many “Railroad YMCAs” throughout New York City and across the country, the forerunner of the Vanderbilt YMCA was housed in the basement of the New York Rail Station on the site of today’s Grand Central Terminal. These railroad workers found clean overnight accommodations, affordable meals, and an array of programs to occupy and enrich their time between journeys. The branch and its extensions moved multiple times over the decades, and once occupied sites where today’s Roosevelt and Waldorf-Astoria hotels now stand.

The “Railroad YMCA” was renamed the “Vanderbilt YMCA” in 1972 in recognition of the significant role that railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, and his heirs played in its history. Today, the Vanderbilt YMCA serves its neighbors in many ways, including through extensive youth programs, a health and wellness facility, guest rooms, and more than 125 different classes per week for adults, seniors, families, teens, children, and tourists. The branch also opened a fully equipped early childhood center in 1990.

I stayed there for a couple of nights way back in 1974. I can’t say I cared for it very much. It’s also associated with a significant period in my life. But, once again I’m not inclined to talk about it here.

Taken with a Sony RX10IV.