By Vladimir Brezina
Ailsa’s travel-themed photo challenge this week is Rivers.
Kayaking around Manhattan revolves (so to speak) around three rivers: the Hudson River, the East River, and the Harlem River. (Two and a half of them are not really rivers, but we won’t let that distract us here.)
And so, when we fly back to NYC, we always try to sit by the window. It’s such a pleasure to see these rivers spread out below, and to recognize all the bridges and piers, the islands and bays that we’ve come to know so intimately from kayak level.
From the air (click on any image to expand)…
… and from kayak level
1. East River: Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges
2. East River: Moody Downtown vista
From the air…
… and from kayak level
3. Hudson River: The new World Trade Center ahead
From the air…
… and from kayak level
4. Hudson River: Chelsea Piers and the Empire State Building
5. Hudson River: Summertime evening on the river
6: East River: Midtown Manhattan vista
From the air…
… and from kayak level
7: Harlem River: White mulberries!
8. Harlem River: Under the RFK Bridge in falling snow
9. Hudson River: George Washington Bridge nocturne
Vladimir Brezina (RIP) 
Johna Till Johnson
Wind Against Current 
Those views, from the “Rivers”, put a new perspective on Manhattan! Love it.
George
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Thanks, George! :-)
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I enjoyed your post! Nice photos of Manhattan (from the “rivers”!)
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So glad you liked it—thanks!! :-)
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Overall great pics but #8 is my favourite!
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The one in the snow? That was a memorable trip—the maiden voyage of Johna’s boat, Solstice! :-)
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Terrific comparisons and contrasting views. Very cool.
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Thanks, Ruth!! :-)
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Loved the mulberry shot!
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More here… :-)
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NYC from a whole new perspective. Love it.
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:-) Thanks, Rosemarie!
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Great to have the aerial views to give perspective on where you are paddling.
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Indeed! Although, actually, it works more the other way. The paddling—knowing exactly what’s down there—gives perspective to the aerial views. It’s surprising how much detail you can see from a plane… I guess not that surprising given the amazing detail you can see in, for example, Google Maps’ satellite views :-)
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Vlad, because it’s all about me, :) the aerial shots help the reader who is not familiar with the locals landmarks to better appreciate your posts. Either way I really enjoyed this post. :)
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Splendid!….particularly love no.7 of Johna eating mulberries
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More here… :-)
Thanks, Pamela!!
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This is incredible! How did you take pictures from way up there in the sky? From one of the skyscrapers? From a chopper?
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Plane landing at LaGuardia Airport… They often fly right over the city. :-)
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La Guardia! I will try to land there next time I visit the Big Apple! Thanks!
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Of the three NYC airports, LaGuardia offers the best chance of flying directly over the city. Landing is better than taking off. And then of course it depends on the wind, because that determines which runway is in use. And then there shouldn’t be fog or low cloud… It’s not a sure thing by any means. But you can get good views often enough.
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I almost flew to LaGuardia last October, but somehow the flight was changed to JFK, which was terribly huge – I had to walk forever just to get out of the airport. So, after seeing your photos, I am more determined to land there next time!
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Love the views from above and below, great post!
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Thanks, Marcia!!
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Reblogged this on Locating Frankenstein's Brain.
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Thanks!
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really enjoyed this post – and kept going back to picture #8 – the bridge in snow – not only is it such an interesting shot – the feel of the toned down bridge with the hints of color form the crane and bridge base – and then the pop of color form the boats – It looks as if you did not edit this photo and we get a feel for the experience – which ties me into the second amazing thing about this shot – kayaking in snow – and while I know you are year round kayakers – and you write about the elements and all that – when I saw this shot I felt the die hard athletes ya’ll are –
anyhow, in the back ground there is also the other bridge and – a bit of trees – and likely even more that I am missing – :)
but that is one of my favorite shots of yours….
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I am so happy you liked it!! :-)
It was that kind of day—subdued snowy scenes with splashes of vivid color here and there, some of which we supplied ourselves…
It was just a Manhattan circumnavigation, but it was the maiden voyage of Johna’s new boat, and we saw a dolphin and a seal in the East River…. Magic!
The full story, with more photos, is here, and even more photos are here.
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okay – so now I like the shot even more – and I will try and check out those links a bit later – – oh and love that Harlem river Mulberry shot a lot too – but the variety was so perfect for the Rivers theme :)
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Thank you!! :-)
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Shot number six is my all time favourite….might even need to break out the easel :-)
And shot seven is just so much fun !
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:-) Thanks!!
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this is awesome! i love the aerial views with markers to where you were actually paddling! wow!!
#8 – must be neat to paddle while snowing!
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Yes, that paddle in the snow was a magical paddle, in more ways than one… :-)
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