Fab Fotos | Pbenjay's Blog

Archive for the ‘Fab Fotos’ Category

Fab Foto Friday – A Tuesday Afternoon in Central Park

Posted in Fab Fotos, Only in New York, tagged Biology, Central Park, Flora and Fauna, Macro photography, Manhattan, Murray Head, New York City, Photograph on July 15, 2011| 2 Comments »

Just another sunny summer day, not unlike most of the rest of the past two weeks. Blue cloudless skies and warm weather, a macro lens, and some really cute creatures make up this week’s Fab Fotos.

The lazy, hazy daisies of Cenral Park and a black wasp!

Such a Beautiful Bird

Japanese Beetle, A Tourist, I Hope!

A Darning Needle

Oh my, what a long nose you have!

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

MACRO MAGIC or Mother Nature UP CLOSE and PERSONAL (pbenjay.wordpress.com)
June Is Busting Out All Over! – Fab Foto Friday, Finally!! (pbenjay.wordpress.com)
Once Upon A Time There Was A Spider and A Wasp… (pbenjay.wordpress.com)

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They Don’t Call Them “Classic” for Nuthin’

Posted in BY THE WAY, Fab Fotos, Peter Coddles, tagged Autos, Classic car, Metropolitan, Murray Head, Nash Metropolitan, New York City, Ocean Grove Vintage Car Show, Photograph, Seaside Heights classic car show, Shopping, SO CUTE, Vehicles, Vintage car on June 22, 2011| 2 Comments »

Well those of you who know me (and my husband) and recently a good friend described us to her friend as “they’re so retro”, know that almost all things old and vintage are revered and quite possibly collected by us. I sometimes refer to my apartment as a tchotcha museum, while others have referred to it as the archives. So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that of course we love vintage classic cars! Really, who doesn’t?

The cars from the 1930’s. 40’s and 50’s are Classic; Clearly they don’t make them like they used to. First of all, those cars were made with steel, not fiberglass so to get a dent on your bumper someone would really have to smack you and with their weight they didn’t sway on the highway. Besides the fact that every make and model looked different so that when one was coming your way you knew whether it was a Ford or DeSoto or a Chevy or a Lincoln, for me I loved the mascots (hood ornaments to those of you who….). I have several mascots from vintage cars and have them mounted and on display in my Art Deco living room. They were in fact beautiful pieces of chrome sculpture! But I digress. So what about the cars – we often go to Vintage Car Shows in the tri-state area and I take photos when I remember to bring the camera and the extra battery (lol).

Sleek Silver and Spectacular

photo by Murray Head

Green With Envy

photo by Murray Head

Daddy Took the T-Bird Away

photo by Murray Head

Resplendent in Red

photo by Murray Head

Gorgeous - Both of Them!

photo by Murray Head

hood mascot, hood ornament, swan, pelican

A Thing of Beauty

photo by Murray Head

Big Blue and Beautiful

photo by Lori

Buick Woody Station Wagon

photo by Lori

Wire Wheels and a Luggage Carrier TOO!

photo by Lori

So Cute

photo by Lori

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Buzzz Bzzzz This is ONE Busy Bee

Posted in BY THE WAY, Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, tagged Bee, bumble bee, Central Park, Garden, honey bee, Macro photography, Shakespeare Gardens, United States on June 21, 2011| 6 Comments »

With the Conservatory Gardens and the Shakespeare Gardens in full bloom in Central Park, Murray has been photographing some of the Park’s tiniest creatures and most beautiful flora. Small as they may be, he is using a macro lens, creating Richard Avendon-like photos.

The photos are so clear and close up it’s almost like looking at them under a microscope. I think you will enjoy this series.

bumble bee, honey bee, Shakespeare Gardens, Central Park, NYC

Mmmm. This looks like the place.

flower filament, anther, yellow tulip, Shakespeare gardens, Central Park,

Hanging On!!

anther, filament, central park, Shakespeare Gardens

Tucked In For A Nap

bumble bee, honey bee, Shakespeare Gardens

Rolling Out of Bed

Refreshed and Ready to Eat

I'm Going to Love Me Some Pollen

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

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New York Speaks: Listen By Looking to the Voice of the City

Posted in Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, tagged Central Park, Dustin Hoffman, Manhattan, Murray Head, New York, New York City, Taxicab on June 17, 2011| 1 Comment »

NEW YORK SPEAKS

It’s FAB FOTO FRIDAY and I’ve got some wonderful photos to share with you. First off, I have an announcement; I am introducing a new category of photos and morphing another one into it. Only in New York is now going to be included in New York Speaks. Think of New York Speaks as images depicting the voice of New York City. The City speaks to us; sometimes shouting out loud for attention, sometimes whispering in its stillness and beauty, sometimes informing, sometimes warning. I think you’ll find this to be a great addition to the blog and as you are all well aware, 99,9% of the photos are shot in New York City and more specifically Manhattan. The City is so big and like a Rubik’s Cube, it has many sides. We’re lucky enough to have Murray Head scouring the town for us, capturing the smiling faces of kids playing in this big playground of a city, dogs romping in the park, hawks and owls and the many, many species of birds and flowers that inhabit Central Park, as well as glimpses of the massive architecture and snippets of the City’s varied and colorful denizens.

This week New York Speaks is a reference to a very famous line in a movie shot here in New York City. In Midnight Cowboy, Dustin Hoffman as Ratso Rizzo is crossing a busy Manhattan street and a taxi cab cuts in front of him; He pounds his fist on the hood of the cab and says, “Hey, I’m walkin’ here”. New York is walking, talking and always moving.

WALK Don't! Run

recycling bottles and cans, collecting cans for money

Strolling and Trolling for Nickels

bumble bee, honey bee, Central Park, Conservatory Gardens, New York City

Almost Motionless in Mid-Air

STOP

Wicked, policeman, bike rider, new york city

GREEN Means GO

Mixing It Up, Pouring It Out

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WHY were Donna, Hugh, Nacho and Marc at a Polo game on Governor’s Island?

Posted in Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Donna Karan, Governors Island, Haiti, Hugh Jackman, Manhattan, Murray Head, Nacho, Veuve Clicquot on June 11, 2011| 2 Comments »

FAB FOTO FRIDAY

It was a gorgeous day in Manhattan with blue skies and sun shining down on Governor’s Island where an audience of fashionistas, philanthropists and glitterati gathered to watch a Polo Match. The occasion was the annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.

Donna Karan visited Haiti after the devastating earthquake last year and was deeply moved by the artistic spirit of the people. She came home and set up Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti. Veuve Clicquot chose it as the beneficiary of their annual Polo Classic, Hugh Jackman (one good-looking Aussie) and Nacho (one hunky Argentinian) co-hosted and thus a major social and charitable event is born. It was held on Governor’s Island, a place in New York City rich in history and so this will be a two part blog post; But first, the fashionistas because they constitute a very classy, eclectic FAB FOTO FRIDAY.

Wearing the colors of the day!

Veuve Cliquot polo classic, Governor's Island, Nacho, Donna Karan, Hope help and rebuild Haiti

Exquisitely Green

Governor's Island, Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti, Donna Karan

Up, Up and Away Hat

Donna Karan Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti, Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Governor's Island

Let Me Show You My .....Hat

Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic, Governor's Island, Donna Karan, Nacho

Perky, Pretty, Pink and Purple

Donna Karan hope help & rebuild haiti, Nacho, Governor's Island

Seersucker Suit and a Bow Tie

Governor's Island, Donna Karan, Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

Saucy Pink Saucer Hat on the Side

She's Got A Big Pair of ....Sunglasses and A Pink Hat

The Colors of Clicquot

The Sponsor

The Benefactress - Donna Karan

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

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MACRO MAGIC or Mother Nature UP CLOSE and PERSONAL

Posted in Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Bergdorf Goodman, Central Park, Garden, iPhone, Macro photography, Madama Butterfly, Manhattan, Murray Head, Photograph, Public, Vanderbilt houses on June 5, 2011| 2 Comments »

It’s Sunday and FAB FOTO FRIDAY didn’t take place on time (again!) BUT YET I DO have some fantastic photos to share with everyone. Murray, Pbenjay’s Blog’s resident photographer went to Central Park and visited The Conservatory Gardens which are located in the northern end of the park between East 104th St to 106th St. The grand entrance to this part of Manhattan’s verdant jewel is framed by a gate which was part of the former Vanderbilt mansion that stood on present site of Bergdorf Goodman, the width of which stretched from East 57th to 58th St. The gates, then as now, guarded the entrance to a beautiful garden. Step into The Conservatory Gardens with me and through the magical macro lens of Murray’s camera, we’ll see Mother Nature up close and personal.

hornet, bumble bee, pink rose, Central Park, Conservatory Gardens

Honey Bee perched on a rose petal

butterfly, Central Park, Conservatory Garden

Madame Butterfly

bumble bee, bee, Central Park, Conservatory Garden

Bee Cosying Up to a Yellow Flower

green fly, leaf, Central Park, Conservatory Gardens

Monochromatic Mother Nature

Yellow-Jacketed Wasp Scaling A Stem

Snow Pearl Butterfly

Lady Bug on a Leaf

Bumble bee, purple flower, rapid bee wings

Bzzz bzzz bzzz

Hornet Wating to be Seated for Dinner

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

Aren’t these just amazing pictures? It was hard to pick just a few to show you, so I hope to be publish more in a future blog. I tried to think of which one I liked the best and couldn’t begin to decide. Even if I had to pick only from this bunch, I’m not sure, but I might say the Bzz Bzzz bzzz really did it for me with the wings caught in motion to the point where for a moment you think you are watching a video!! And then this last photo was just magnificent; I had about 4 tag lines for it and couldn’t decide what sounded better. Soooo I’m offering everyone a chance to send in a new caption for the bee inside the purple flower. Please send as a comment to this post or send me an email. I’ll publish the entries next week.

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The LONGEST Blog Title Ever! CELEBRATE – ONLY IN NEW YORK- RED IS WHERE YOU FIND IT

Posted in Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Memorial Day, Murray Head, New York City, Photograph, Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, turkey, Turkiye, United Nations, United States on May 30, 2011| Leave a Comment »

I haven’t posted a blog in days and in trying to make up for it (lol), instead of writing 4 blogs at once I’m taking the easy way out and combining my FAB FOTO FRIDAY, CELEBRATE, ONLY in NEW YORK, and RED is Where You Find It all in ONE post. Well after all it is a holiday weekend and although I’m not posting regularly I’m not on holiday either; but more about the weekend later….

Since it IS a holiday weekend, it’s important to Celebrate! Of course we must celebrate Memorial Day and I could do a whole post on that (let me see how I feel by tonight) but this CELEBRATE blog post is celebrating the diversity of New York City. It is the equivalent of living in the world all in one place. If you don’t live here, you may think I’m exaggerating but I’m not. There is hardly not an ethnicity represented in great numbers in the City, except maybe Aborigines. This weekend, Turkey was center stage and drew thousands of on-lookers. This parade unlike many others, was not a march up Fifth Avenue but rather in the United Nations neighborhood. Take a look….

There were flags-lots-and people dressed in their national colors; Red and White, frolicking, dancing, marching, beautiful girls, costumed men, and of course little children looking darling in all manner of red and white.

Turkish flags, American flag, Turkish Day parade, Turkey, Turkiye

The FLAGS Speak

photo by Murray Head

Turkish Day parade, New YOrk city, Turkey, Turkiye, twins

Two for the price of one

photo by Murray Head

Turkish Day parade, Turkey, Turkiye, New york city, ballons

Did you ever see a Turkish balloon?

photo by Murray Head

Turkish Day parade, Turkiye, red paisley umbrella, Turkey

I Love the RED umbrella

photo by Murray Head

I live here too

photo by Murray Head

Turkish Day parade, Borders installation art, United Nations, Turkey, Turkiye

Wanna play?

photo by Murray Head,

Turkish Day parade, Turkiye, Turkey, convertible

What's A Parade Without A Convertible?

photo by Murray Head

Or A Pretty Girl ?

photo by Murray Head

Turkiye, Turkey, native costume, Turkish day parade, new york city

Colorful Native Costume

photo by Murray Head

Turkish Day parade, New York City, Turkey, Turkiye

Is that a Blackberry or an iPhone?

photo by Murray Head

Wearin' of the RED

photo by Murray Head

Istanbul was Constantinople

Now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople

Been a long time gone, Constantinople

Now it’s Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in Constantinople

Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople

So if you’ve a date in Constantinople

She’ll be waiting in Istanbul

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“Terminators” in the news, I mean mews!

Posted in Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged All You Can Eat Buffet, Buffet, Food chain, Mother Nature, Murray Head, Only in New York, Photograph on May 23, 2011| 7 Comments »

There’s more than one “Terminator” in the news these days. In fact I have some spectacular photos of a couple of them in action. It seems it’s not just seeds and nuts upon which our feathered friends thrive.

Please be advised that these photos contain graphic acts of ornithological violence, however, Mother Nature is responsible for the food chain and just be thankful that you are higher up than these guys. By the time I finished posting these photos I was scratching my head a lot.

"Mmmmm looks like lunch has arrived"

photo by Murray Head

"But they're not as crunchy as peanuts"

photo by Murray Head

"It's like an All You Can Eat Buffet"

photo by Murray Head

"I can't talk with my mouth full"

photo by Murray Head

"Interesting, very interesting..."

photo by Murray Head

"Look who's coming to dinner"

photo by Murray Head

"Gotcha"

photo by Murray Head

"My nexr meal is just around the corner"

photo by Murray Head

Twisting for Termites

photo by Murray Head

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Knock, Knock. Who’s There? Orange…

Posted in BY THE WAY, Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Central Park, Government, Installation art, Murray Head, New York City, Organizations, Photograph, Photography on May 15, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Orangent you glad that Murray Head sends me photographs to post?

FAB FOTO FRIDAY

Even though it’s Saturday, these photos were taken on Friday so they still count as our FAB FOTO FRIDAY featured photographs. You’ve heard of Sunday in the Park with George, this is Friday in the park with Murray!

"Can you hear me now"?

Central ,Park new york city, orange flowers

Oh so pretty Orange Flowers

central park, new york city, baltimore oriole

Bold and beautiful Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole profile

Why are Goldfish Orange?

Little Duckling

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

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Heads of State – Uh, Which State Would That Be?

Posted in Fab Fotos, Only in New York, tagged Ai Weiwei, Beijing, Central Park, China, Chinese Zodiac, Germany, New York City, Old Summer Palace, United States on May 6, 2011| Leave a Comment »

FAB FOTO FRIDAY

Seems like there was a Summit Meeting going on in New York City this week. While it’s true that the President was here TWICE this week tying up traffic all over the place, he wasn’t in attendance with these heads!

Ai Weiwei, a renowned sculptor from China, famous for his past exhibition of Sunflower Seeds, is missing! His whereabouts are unknown; he was arrested by the Chinese Government supposedly for tax evasion and destroying evidence. However, it is widely believed that his criticism of the Government is the real reason behind his disappearance. The United States, Germany and Britain have openly called for his release.

But the show must go on and we are thankful that it has.