First batch wasn't the best. It's ok but there's a-lot of room for improvement..
Random Pictures Thread
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Had a friend I worked with a couple of decades ago. You would not think it of him, but he loved boudin, and he was on the hunt for the best recipe. Don't know if he ever found the best - but the one he was using at the time was pretty darn good, especially smoke cooked. Unfortunately, he died before he gave me the recipe.
They look great! What are the reddish ones?
They look great! What are the reddish ones?
Me too! Me too!!!
A view of Lenox Hill (59th-63rd portion), Manhattan across the East River from Roosevelt Island during sun down. You get sublime setting like a fireball radiating, illuminating the seam of the crosstown streets and vertical planes of the buildings:
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Amazing shot!
That is such a super cool shot. Did you plan it, or did it just happen? Could not have lasted very long at all!
Is that an aerial tramway over near the bridge?
Is that an aerial tramway over near the bridge?
There are several places across NYC where that kind of thing happens. It's because of the elevation of NYC and more importantly, the fact that the streets are (mostly) laid out in a grid. At least one of the cross-Manhattan streets, the numbered streets, gets that a couple of times a year. I think it's around 45th street.
The phrase "sun's rays straight across Manhattan" likely refers to
Manhattanhenge, a phenomenon where the setting sun aligns perfectly with the east-west street grid of Manhattan.
Here's what you need to know about Manhattanhenge:
- What it is: Manhattanhenge is a stunning celestial event that happens twice a year. During this time, the setting sun lines up precisely with Manhattan's east-west oriented streets, creating a breathtaking vista as the sun's golden light streams through the urban canyons.
- Why it happens: The effect is a result of Manhattan's unique street grid, established in 1811 with streets tilted 29 degrees east of true north, combined with the Earth's orbital tilt.
- When it happens: Manhattanhenge occurs around the summer solstice. In 2025, the sunset alignments happened on May 28th and 29th, and will happen again on July 11th and 12th.
- Different views: There are two types of Manhattanhenge: one where the entire sun is visible between the buildings just before setting, and another where only half of the sun is above the horizon during the alignment.
- Where to see it: The best viewing spots are along wide, east-west streets like 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th Streets, with unobstructed views towards New Jersey.
- Reverse Manhattanhenge: A similar phenomenon happens at sunrise around the winter solstice (December and January), sometimes called "Reverse Manhattanhenge".
- Named by Neil deGrasse Tyson: The term "Manhattanhenge" was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, inspired by the prehistoric monument Stonehenge.
I saw it once, many years ago. I'm guessing my view was 42nd st.
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I’ve been trekking and doing remote work for about a couple of weeks in the island- been watching the sun setting from about 7:40 pm and this occurred between 8:13 pm to about 8:15 pm as it the sun was setting at the west end. I have always caught it where the sun is still up in the horizon, but this one time it appeared that it was about to set on the city street.
Yes, that is the Roosevelt Island Tram- there are 2 of them. It is a 4 minute ride from 3rd Ave./59th St. to Roosevelt Island. Roosevelt Island has some interesting history and has a Manhattan zip code. The island is flanked on either side by the east end of Manhattan and Queen’s (Hunters Point and Dutch Kills).
Do you remember the scene opening in “Taxi” that has a musical score called “Angela’s Theme” by Bob James? That bridge on view that is parallel with the tram is The 59th Street Bridge (which is now renamed). That was the first bridge I have ever crossed as youngster in NYC and my Dad was smart to have taken for driving lesson’s in Roosevelt Island. Who want’s to practice driving in the crazy streets of Manhattan with the nut job taxi drivers?
Great post Paul @phinds. A couple of weeks ago as you described, the lowest I have seen it set and you are right they are very much apparent on the crosstown (east to west) was on the 14th Street corridor overlook the west end. The sun was a perfect circle and it appears as an illusion like it was sitting on the street and emitting this bright orange glow lighting up the crosstown channel.
Sometimes you need to leave the city and go next door- Hoboken, NJ. Their view of the Manhattan island is as breathtaking w/ much more depth compare to being in the city. Can you imagine how it was like from their vantage point during 9/11. Happy 4th of July to you and to yours!
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Yep. There is an even better view of lower Manhattan off the end of the pier in Jersey City (Financial District) where the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson sticks out on a pier almost directly across from where the twin towers used to be. I stayed there a couple of times and I have pics somewhere but can't find them. Hoboken is further up from lower Manhattan. View from both places is fantastic.
I have a ton of pics from the Hoboken area since I had an apartment in Hoboken for a couple of years, but they are no better than yours.
Here are a couple of fireworks photo’s from Hoboken, NJ. The best view is on Pier A.
This isn't a very good picture, but had to post it for contrast to Arn's pictures.
This was on the way home last night and shot through a windshield. Shows the rural "highrises", aka grain bins.
Here is a better picture from Knoxville's fireworks show.
This was on the way home last night and shot through a windshield. Shows the rural "highrises", aka grain bins.
Here is a better picture from Knoxville's fireworks show.
Firework’s in an open field like that is much more enjoyable because there are no other distractions- just you, the field, the sky and the light show!
I don’t spend 4th of July in NYC as they make viewing the firework’s in Dumbo as an exclusive show nowadays- they literally spend stoopid money to coral the area to alleviate any possible accidents as this holiday event become’s almost like New Year’s Eve debacle scene when it happens annually in Time Square. This firework show you now need admission ticket’s via the Mayor’s office to get invited in the comforts of Brooklyn Bridge Park. It is kind of a mob scene and a smoky affair as the fireworks literally is shot on several mid ferry flats. While I can get ticket’s to get to see the show, the whole corralling and the ticketing for admission takes the fun out of it.
I could have had a better viewing by going more south to Pier A in Hoboken, but then there is that similar mob viewing scene reminiscent to Brooklyn where people are corralled. But, if you can get over the fiasco and exclusivity, the Macy’s firework close up at the Brooklyn Bridge Park really is a memorial experience to be had.
Paul @phinds- you are correct and the better view, you have to head south of Hoboken towards The Waterfront into Exchange Place and Colgate Center. I do have photo’s I took last year that I found. I do like the view on the Jersey side as far as the city scape as a lot of the skyscrapers the bottom portion of the building tends to be lost due to the density of the other building surroundings. The view from NJ (Colgate Center to North of Hoboken) gives you more clarity of the skyscrapers as it is an uninterrupted view- meaning there are no bridges to disrupt the view and you can actually get a good read of the bottom of those skyscrapers.
You have to dig up some of the old photo’s of Hoboken! I was a young teen when I first saw Hoboken- lots of history and I think their Main Street is one of the most charming town in the US. But, I might be biased as there are many beautiful period row houses off Main Street (Washington St.)- Hudson St., Court St., Bloomfield St., etc. Real estate in Hoboken is as expensive as living in NYC! Some of the row houses do fetch similar money to row house or town houses in NYC. Rent is like NYC. The great thing about Hoboken and its neighboring town is that it is close proximity to the financial district in Manhattan as the Path Train allows quick access to Christopher St. to 33rd St. in the city or the Newark line will get you about the front steps of the World Trade Center. There is also NJ transit trains from Penn Station.
One of the first organized baseball games played was in Hoboken at Elysian Field in 1846- a transitional period from casual to formal play. Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken.
Arn
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This is in Jersey City, NJ- 9/11 Memorial. Where the recovered steel beams is placed, pass the memorial headstone is what New Jersey folks would have seen when the WTC was in smoke and when both the south and north tower collapsed…..
I also found this large black and white banner outside of the Hoboken Historical Museum of our US troops coming home to Hoboken- about 6 months after WW I ended:
The Roosevelt Island tram leaving Manhattan to dock at Roosevelt Island. Reflections of the 59th St. Bridge and Manhattan south:
Some pics that are a bit different than Arn's cityscapes. 
Final destination on our Monday morning hike (2600' elevation gain) up to 11,200' altitude. Near Silverthorne, Colorado
View from concert venue on same Monday night overlooking Lake Dillon in Colorado
Local park, Paint Mines (Calhan, Colorado - East of Colorado Springs), with some pretty strange looking Hoodoos. Indians used to collect all the various colored clays from this area for making pottery. Fun place to kick around in with kids. About 20 miles away from home.
Final destination on our Monday morning hike (2600' elevation gain) up to 11,200' altitude. Near Silverthorne, Colorado
View from concert venue on same Monday night overlooking Lake Dillon in Colorado
Local park, Paint Mines (Calhan, Colorado - East of Colorado Springs), with some pretty strange looking Hoodoos. Indians used to collect all the various colored clays from this area for making pottery. Fun place to kick around in with kids. About 20 miles away from home.
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