Saturday (Yesterday) In The Park

"Another day in the park... Everyday is the Fourth of July," are lyric lines from the song "Saturday in the Park," by the rock band, Chicago. I have quoted the song in prior posts here on Blogger when I've published an entry re my spending a Saturday in the Park, which is something I did yesterday.

I went to Central Park to see if turtles were coming out of hibernation on the third day after the official onset of spring in our hemisphere. There were only a couple of turtles swimming (such as the one seen in the image posted above) in Turtle Pond, which means many of them are still hibernating under the water; for usually that pond is oversubscribed with this type of creature.

Wildlife and trees provide inspiration for my kaleidoscopic images. Tuesday's Truths WK 89

Welcome to the eighty-ninth segment of my Tuesday's Truths series where I will be reminding you how certain wildlife (such as the turtles featured in the mini video atop this entry and in the photos directly below),

provided the inspiration for my kaleidoscopic image, Turtle Pond.

Friday's Follow-up to a Follow-up

"SUNSET IN RIVERSIDE PARK"  IN AN EXHIBITION

This past Friday I made this announcement in my entry here on Blogger:"Chris Deatherage, the man who edited and formatted my 'Words In Our Beak* " book series uploaded some of my photographs, including a few of my kaleidoscopic images (that are also within one of The Color Gallery pages on my web-site, which he also designed) to the web-site for Fine Art America (FAA). He has now recently uploaded more of my kaleidoscopic works to FAA..."

In today's entry I'd like to talk about one of the prints, Sunset In Riverside Park, which is one of my images that he recently uploaded to FAA. It can be seen in the photograph atop this entry, which I also included in the aforementioned blog post. This picture shows one view of how Sunset In Riverside Park looked in an exhibition that I had at the Manhattan Borough President's office.

My FAA Tote Bags

MY MANDARIN DUCK TOTES ARE ON FAA

Someone bought one of my tote bags from FAA (Fine Art America) that feature an image of the now famous Mandarin duck swimming in The Pond located in Central Park. She got it as a gift for her son and emailed me a photo of him "carrying" it. The picture she sent me is featured atop this entry (with her permission).

Moreover, she followed up with a lovely email stating, "The pouch with your photography really is absolutely beautiful. Great quality material and photo.  They absolutely make spectacular gifts.  My son loves his and we have it hanging on our kitchen chair to see every day..."

Today is International Plastic Bag Free Day (Friday's Fact)

AVAILABLE VIA FAA

After my having been sheltering in place since the evening of March 21st 2020 through the morning of May 11, 2020 (at the urging of our governor and mayor as a means to remain safe during the coronavirus pandemic and also to help prevent its spread), returning to my activities before the onset of the pandemic has been a bit precarious.

However, I'm getting there; in fact, a business meeting that I had yesterday served as a reminder to point me back to where I left off re one of my projects; for it was at yesterday's appointment that the person (who is an essential worker and did not shelter in place) I was meeting with, told me she had been enjoying using a tote/pouch (seen in the picture atop this entry) that she got from my collection on Fine Art America (FAA).

Upon my seeing it, I was instantly reminded this past March pre-lockdown (which was the last time I saw my colleague), I busied myself with many endeavors, including spreading the word about the totes/pouches (one can be seen in the image atop this entry) which I designed as an alternative to single-use plastic bags that were in the process of being eliminated in many places, including NYC. 

Today's the Octave of Easter for 2019 (Coinciding with a photographer holiday)

Today is the Octave of Easter for 2019. This year it coincides with Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPP Day) which is an unofficial holiday that has always been observed the last Sunday in April. A holiday-themed web-page explains that WPP Day aims "to encourage people to pick up pinhole photography as a hobby and profession, and to share their techniques and pictures with the pinhole photography community."

I must confess that while I'm very familiar with the celebrations surrounding the Octave of Easter, I had not heard of WPP Day. It is somewhat odd that I had no idea about this event. The main reason that any lack of knowedge re this occasion is odd is because for a few years I worked with various pin-hole cameras — and created a number of black and white photographs from them — which I developed and printed myself.

My entire Black and White Collection has been included in gallery exhibitions in Manhattan. One of those images is titled, Thanksgiving In Riverdale (a copy of it can be seen in the image below).

INCLUDED IN THE B&W GALLERY ON MY WEBSITE

This photograph won an award (placement in a book, Photo-Glaz) in a competition juried by the late photographer, Roy De Carava.

Other ones, Cocktails and Engaging Conversation as well as Portrait of Contemplation (copies seen in the next set of images)...

INCLUDED IN THE B&W GALLERY ON MY WEBSITE

INCLUDED IN THE B&W GALLERY ON MY WEBSITE

...are featured in a literary magazine known as, Returning Woman. Moreover, my photograph, Sophia, (which can be seen in the next picture) and my process used in creating it was discussed (at length) in an interview given by Karen Lewis, on a WBAI radio program called The Al Lewis Show.

INCLUDED IN THE B&W GALLERY ON MY WEBSITE

It be heard via my web-site where you will also find more of my black and white images, pin-hole and non pinhole.

The site is called patriciayoungquist.com and was created by Chris Deatherage. He also formatted and edited my three volume book series, Words In Our Beak.

Moreover, my three volume book series Words In Our Beak includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna.

MY BOOK SERIES

The goal of these books is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden (mine) in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. These books are directed to children and adults who are curious about birds (as well as gardening) want to learn about these topics from a unique perspective.

But getting back to a topic related to WWPD, in addition to my creating black and white photos with pin-hole cameras; I also have created ones which are kaleidoscopic in nature...

'Twas a most bittersweet Fourth of July... (Tuesday's Truths WK 187)

It was a bittersweet Fourth of July what with the coronavirus pandemic still in place, keeping everyone on their guard, but also it was a strained time because of the political unrest in the United States over how issues related to race were handled (or not handled) in bygone years.

Therefore, I was grateful to see that a neighbor who lives in the building across my courtyard (and who has participated in many #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions), did not allow any disparaging feelings about our history stand in her way of expressing appreciation, which she did by hanging up her American flag (as seen in the image atop this entry).

Continue to keep your distance from others. Tuesday's Truths (WK 191)

#SocialDistancing. 

#PhysicalDistancing. 

#WellnessDistancing. 

Call it what you will, but take a lesson from birds (such as the two types seen below who are at a bird bath in my rooftop garden) and do it, especially as we go through this COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

THESE BIRD TYPES ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOKS

THESE BIRD TYPES ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOKS

THESE BIRD TYPES ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOKS

For your information, dear reader, the avian creatures (American robin and Mourning dove) seen here are in my book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

American robins have a story in volume three amd Mourning doves have a story in volume one. And while you are adhering to where to be in relation to those around you, please remember to wear a face-mask.

FRIDAY'S FACT: "Face Masks May Be The Key Determinant Of The Covid-19"

"Face Masks May Be The Key Determinant Of The Covid-19 Curve, Study Suggests..."

Now that many parts of the various parts of my country are in different stages of re-opening, the wearing of face-masks will be mandatory in many circumstances.

As you may know my face-masks are available via Fine Art America (FAA) and I have (as of now) four styles which can  be seen within photos included within this post.

Put a mask on it! (Wednesday's Wisdom)

IMAGE CREDIT

I saw this cartoon on a FB page and I appreciated the sentiment which is unfortunately prevailing in many parts of the world. However, the fact remains that one needs to put a mask on their face to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (the coronavirus).

An Encounter with Central Park Visitors

CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN VOL 2

Kaitlin, the one limbed Canadian goose featured in the image atop today's post is a bird I met her last Saturday when I was in Central Park and discussed her particulars in last Sunday's blog entry. I saw her again yesterday when I was walking through the park on my way to the Eastside.

Her survival skills of coping with a missing limb are to be applauded and I'm thankful she is still around to enjoy the lawn near Turtle Pond which is the same place that I saw her last week.

Information re a free shipping offer by FAA* (*Fine Art America)

AVAILABLE VIA FAA

The image of one of my 2018 greeting cards that is posted atop this entry, may look familiar to you, dear reader, as I've featured it in prior posts here on Blogger.

I'm now thankful to say that Chris Deatherage posted it on my behalf to my TLLG FB Page and stated the following: "For anyone who prefers to send a generic greeting card during the holiday season, you should consider 'Mac Watching it Snow' in my shop on Fine Art America. And I have just learned that Fine Art America is offering FREE ground shipping on all orders placed through its web portal today, November 3rd, and tomorrow, November 4th until midnight. Here's the link: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/patricia-youngquist, and feel free to share this special offer with your friends."

11/4/2018 Happenings: The NYC Marathon AND Fine Art America Deadlines

CAM, THE "NARRATOR" OF "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

Today, the first Sunday in November (the 4th), is the New York City Marathon and thousands upon thousands folks will be racing throughout the five boroughs. And as you can see in the first picture here, Cam, the cardinal who is the story teller in my Words In Our Beak book series,* is also racing. She is "running" across a table that's in my rooftop garden.

FOLLOW UP FRIDAY: 2017's T'GIVING PARADE

The Peanuts comic strip atop this entry was something I saw in my Twitter feed the other day. It came to my mind as I pondered what to share re yesterday's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, which I attended as its route is less than half a block from my apartment.

Take Advantage of Black Friday Savings (Without Going to a Mall)

It's Black Friday, a day known for specials and savings in the shopping malls, a place that Snoopy seems to think is pretty good, as evidenced in the PEANUTS Comic Strip atop this entry. BUT, here's a savings you can take take advantage without leaving your home, all you need is access to the Internet!

Turtle Pond Trivia & Sighting Turtle Trees

This past Saturday, I published a post re the numerous turtles I had encountered while at Turtle Pond (which is in Central Park) on that day. The aforementioned entry includes an array of photos of this creature basking in the sun on one of the "walls" surrounding this body of water.

Monday was unseasonably warm and when I returned to this place, a large array of this creature type was there and one of them allowed me to take pictures of the inside of his/her shell; as evidenced in the images atop this entry.

56 Yr Old Peanuts Strip Speaks to me Today!

CONFESSION: I'm a hunt and peck typist which slowed me down in writing my three volume book series, Words In Our Beak.  If only I'd known Snoopy could type (as evidenced by the PEANUTS comic strip which is included with this posting and was published on this day of December 2nd in 1962); I might've asked him!

Tuesday's Truths WK 79: It's N'tl Siblings Day!

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOKS

Welcome to my seventy-ninth "segment" of my Tuesday's Truths series. According to Holiday Insights, today is National Siblings Day, and they state: "National Sibling Day is a day to appreciate and cherish your brothers and sisters. Siblings are truly a special blessing that we probably all too often take for granted. They are often our best friends and supporters through life. Another reason to celebrate is that not everyone is lucky enough to have siblings. Their lives are significantly different growing up, and throughout  life."

But I confess that I think this holiday is for the birds, so I'm featuring them in this entry. Peanut, a young cardinal pictured above has three siblings named Frannie, Vincenzo, and Pica-John.

You might recognize Peanut because I have featured her in a prior entries here on Blogger, including one that was published two weeks ago.

Frannie and her brother, Vincenzo can be seen in the next set of images (respectively).

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOKS

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOKS

There are no photos of Pica-John because she hates to have her picture taken and since I feel the same way about having someone take my photo, I never push her to be in a photo.

Thanksgiving Day 2018 + November 22nd: JFK's Assassination + My Father's Last Words (PLUS AN UPDATE FROM FAA!)

On this Thanksgiving Day of 2018, I can hear the bands from Macy's Parade through my window, but have not gone outside to see it. The temperatures are some of the lowest on record for this day, and the wind gusts are abnormally high, which means the Macy's Balloons will be flying low to the ground, and not as easy to see, since people stand on ladders and put toddlers on their shoulders.

I'm not concerned re not seeing the balloons today, for I've seen them over the course of many years as they made their way down Central Park West ...

Father's Day is FOR THE BIRDS!

This past Monday, June 13th, six days before today's holiday of Father's Day, I heard a sound in my garden. I still don't have my replacement glasses (which I need as my accident last month resulted in them being ruined as you can see from the image above), so I relied on my Canon 70D's long lens to see what was causing the unusual noise. The conditions were not optimal for photographing. It was in the wee (and still dark) hours of the morning. Also I was inside my place looking out through a broken window. 

Still, I followed the noise from the vantage point of being behind a camera, then realized a baby bird or very young fledging, was alongside the American Robin who has been visiting my urban garden which is in close proximity to NYC's Central Park. I was thrilled for I've never seen such a young robin! However, both of these birds were hiding behind one of my clay pots, and with that, as well as the conditions I've just described, the images I did get are unclear, but I'm posting them anyway (below).

AMERICAN ROBINS

AMERICAN ROBINS

For as I mentioned in a recent post here on Blogger, when photo-ops do not turn out as I would like, I try to console myself with the wisdom that E.B. White spoke of in his essay, "Remembrance is Sufficient."