Pretty Snow, Deadly Snow

I watched as the forecast one inch of snow turned into a lot more snow than that.  It was a wet snow so it stuck to branches, which made for pretty pictures at first.  Then as the heavy snow continued I began to get worried.  All the trees still had leaves on them, so the snow had a lot to cling to on the branches.  When I looked out late in the afternoon, I was troubled to see that many of the ends of the branches of the beautiful Japanese maple were on the ground!  I went out with a snow shovel pushed up on the branches that I could reach overhead.  When I pushed up, the snow on the branches came tumbling down - all over me!  But that's OK, when the snow was gone from the branches, they popped back up to their normal height.  We did lose two branches that had broken off from the weight, however.

The Strange Landscape

This was the first photograph I made yesterday morning just after the snow started.  These trees are in a neighbor's yard, and many are overgrown with Grape ivy.  That in itself is a strange and spooky thing to see, but then add the snowflakes streaking through the photograph and it feels even stranger.  I like this because it is so different from the usual landscapes that I shoot.

November Snowfall

Last night they were forecasting about one inch of snow for today.  I thought "Wow, that is unusual for us to get snow in November."  I don't EVER remember a November snow in all the years I have lived on Long Island.  So come today, we get instead, four inches of snow!  It was a wet snow so it stuck to branches, which made for pretty pictures.  I was driving back up our street when I saw these red branches hanging down and I loved the brilliant red leaves seen against the white snow.  Please click on this picture, because it is gorgeous in a larger size!

Waterfall and Reflecting Pool

You might wonder why, if after I posted the panorama of one of the reflecting pools yesterday, I would post a different photograph of the same subject today.  Actually this is a different reflecting pool and waterfall.  The one in yesterday's post did not have water flowing in the waterfall.  This one does.  I saw this pool in a different way as I was walking around the edge.  There is some kind of optical illusion taking place, I think, and it is difficult to explain it in detail - but I felt I was seeing one of these pools and it's waterfalls in a different way.

September 11 Memorial

Continuing our tour of Manhattan, we took the subway down to the The National September 11 Memorial.  We walked around the Memorial’s plaza and the twin reflecting pools, while looking and photographing.  Every time I see the reflecting pools I am moved by how beautiful they are and how perfect they are as memorials.  They evoke such peace and contemplation.  This was an interesting visit because the trees on the plaza have always been green, but this time they are the colors of Fall. 

Prometheus

This is probably the most famous sculpture at Rockefeller Center.  It is Prometheus of the Greek legend who defied the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humanity, an act that enabled progress and civilization. Prometheus is known for his intelligence and as a champion of mankind.  The sculpture was commissioned in 1934.  It is bronze, which has been gilded.  And it is the centerpiece of the skating rink.  It is an absolutely stunning work of art.  Here are two views of the statue, as seen from behind, and from across the ice rink.

Atlas the Titan

There are so many landmarks in Manhattan, and when I am on my way to a museum or somewhere else I am beginning to think that I am not paying attention.  But with my friend Lachlan, from Australia, I was sightseeing with him, almost as if I had new eyes!  As we continued down Fifth Avenue we came to Rockefeller Center and this magnificent statue.   It depicts Atlas the titan, with exaggerated muscles, supporting the celestial vault on his shoulders.  A famous figure from Greek mythology, Atlas was a half-man, half-god giant known as a Titan, who helped lead a war against the Olympic gods. After the Titans’ defeat, Atlas was condemned to carry the world on his shoulders as punishment. Atlas is one of Rockefeller Center’s greatest Art Deco icons.