MY 2013 PHOTO ALBUM
Ten years ago, my mother, Marcella Freund, passed away at the advanced age of 105, her faculties intact almost to the end. That same year, I also lost one of my best friends. But some good things did happen back then (including an anniversary visit Barbara and I made to
St. Martin). Here’s my photographic tribute to that significant year a decade ago.
To go with the palm tree at sunset, here are a few 2013 views of St. Martin where we spent our honeymoon in 1985.
Barbara and I also took a brief but enjoyable trip to Laguna Beach, CA.
The hawk (who was tethered) showed up at our place, but we had to dine elsewhere to attract the hungry gull.
Our hotel sported this handsome pool – but amid the glitz of
Laguna Beach, I was drawn to this more earthbound sight.
We went up to Maine for a few days, where I took these shots.
This traditional white church in Easton, CT (our weekend location) has long been one of my photographic meccas – as seen here in spring, summer and fall settings.
My favorite tree in Easton appears to be attacking its owner’s dwelling.
Here’s more of Easton in the spring and fall.
The colorful trees (bottom right) adorn our back lawn.
We don’t need to go out west for watery wonders. Ah, Connecticut . . . . The top left waterfall is near Lake Waramaug; the rushing torrent at
top right is in Weston; and the bottom scene is near our place in Easton.
I’m drawn to photographing in and around cemeteries. These photos show spring, autumn and winter scenes from one in Easton.
Now we’re in New York City. The clipper ship was berthed at the
South Street Seaport.
Central Park has been my prime NYC photo bailiwick. This triad features the interplay between spring blossoms and Cleopatra’s Needle.
Winters in Central Park can be quite scenic. The reflective façade in the middle photo belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
These nocturnal photos were taken from a friend’s terrace one
Fall evening.
If you can’t get to Africa, photographing the animals at the Bronx Zoo is the next best thing. This towering polar bear is taking a breather on its ersatz ice floe.
Here are some more arcane species.
Observe a carnivorous tiger in repose and a fierce-looking snow leopard.
Guess who’s coming to dinner . . . .
Reflected flamingos, a long-necked swan, and a tiny bird sharing goodies with his buddy at the butterfly pavilion.
You have to visit the monkeys and gorillas. The little ones entertain with deft maneuvers; the big guys generate menace; at times, many of all sizes seem to be looking you right in the eye.
Giraffes are especially photogenic – especially alongside an ostrich –
but my favorite shot is of this loving smooch.
Speaking of big guys . . . . This one even generates its own bulky reflection.
I recommend a trip down to the vicinity of NYC's Madison Park every
November 11th. A vast array of Americana comes together to kick off the annual Veterans Day Parade. These five pages contain some of the images I snapped a decade ago.
I’m partial to black & white, as in this portrait of Central Park’s
Belvedere’s Castle.
Also in Central Park, here is Bethesda Fountain.
These photos were taken on the Northern California coast in the
vicinity of Mendocino.
Here are some b&w shots from the Princeton University campus.
I’m fascinated by what I call “A Touch of Color”, where I add some original color items to an otherwise black & white picture. Here, the flag and the crest signify you’re at Princeton University.
More touch of color – a Manhattan spire; me playing at a
city-wide event featuring painted pianos; and the flags at
Easton’s annual Memorial Day commemoration.
At it’s best, the touch of color calls your attention to what’s significant in the photo – as with our beloved Buffy in the window-cleaning scene.
My mom, Marcella Coleman Freund, was vibrant almost to the end. What a great run she had! These photos were taken at her 105th birthday, where she was in top form – giving me an ambitious lifelong goal to strive for.
These are my sons Tom and Erik, plus Erik’s daughter Paige and
Tom’s daughter, Delilah.
My long-time buddy, Bill Silver, who had become a special part of our extended family, also passed away in 2013. Bill loved to “goof around,” as in these snaps I took at a Manhattan landmark.
A decade later, we still miss Bill very much.
We close with these pictures of a reflected sunrise (above) and a sunset (below), which were taken from the terrace of our East Side apartment.