Author Archives: Vladimir Brezina

A Paddle Among the Islands

By Vladimir Brezina

IMGP3727 cropped smallFor kayakers, islands exert a special allure. There is the attraction of  a circumnavigation, returning to the very same place from which you started from the opposite direction and completing the magic circle. But even more romantic is the idea of paddling out to that remote, preferably deserted, island that you can see on the horizon—or just on the chart!—which can be reached only by boat…

In New York Harbor, we have plenty of islands—even apart from the world-famous ones. But there’s no denying that they all offer a decidedly urban paddling experience. No matter what remote corner of the harbor you are in, the city is always there when you look up. And the city is exciting. But sometimes the country calls.

So in mid-May, we drove up to Westport, MA, on the south coast of Massachusetts just past the Rhode Island border. While Johna was enjoying a couple of days of surfing and rock-gardening (which I hope she will write up, as she did last year), I set out to paddle to my favorite deserted islands.

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Yesterday’s Sandy Hook Paddle

By Vladimir Brezina

It’s our routine. Weekends, we paddle. And when the tidal currents say go south, we go south. And, unless we can think of something more ambitious, that means Sandy Hook.

But each trip is different. The sea and the sky have a different look and feel each time. We see different ships in the harbor. I can’t resist taking photos to capture it all. Here are a few from yesterday’s trip.

(click on any photo to start slideshow)

Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreshadow

By Vladimir Brezina

This week’s Photo Challenge is Foreshadow.

Signs from the heavens. Looks like Coney Island is doomed

Coney Island

as is Manhattan

ManhattanFrom Governors Island

but Brooklyn will be spared.

Manhattan and Brooklyn

But no, or at least not this time. All this foreshadows merely a spectacular thunderstorm

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that passes, with the city still there.

The storm passes
Sunset

The story is here, and more photos are here and here.

Travel Theme: Wild

By Vladimir Brezina

Ailsa’s travel-themed photo challenge this week is Wild.

Even in our urban and temperate part of the world—this is not the tropics!—it’s hard to miss the reminders that wild nature is just waiting for us to turn our backs to move in…

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Smart Mouse Trap

By Vladimir Brezina

A smart mouse-trap or a smart-mouse trap? Where are those hyphens when you need them? We’ll have to test this trapped mouse in the lab to see if it is a smart mouse. Probably it isn’t all that smart if it got trapped in a mouse trap, but then again, it is a smart mouse trap…

Photography 101: The Rules and Elements of Composition

<— Previous in Photography 101

This is the sixth installment of Photography 101.

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A Stand Up Paddle Board Earns Its Keep

By Vladimir Brezina

Finally! I knew there had to be some use for these things! ;-)

Spotted off Cape Ann, MA: A man on a paddle board tending to his lobster pots.

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His comment: “This is harder in winter.”

Weekly Photo Challenge: Masterpiece, Take Two

By Vladimir Brezina

Here is a Masterpiece that I think our readers, especially those with children of the right age, just have to see…

(sorry for the ad the first time you watch it, but it’s worth it!)

For details see Johna’s original post here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Masterpiece

By Vladimir Brezina

This week’s Photo Challenge is Masterpiece.

A quiet little masterpiece that would not be out of place in the Metropolitan Museum, in its collection of Rococo decorative objects—

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Travel Theme: Sweet

By Vladimir Brezina

Ailsa’s travel-themed photo challenge this week is Sweet.

Even heaven is not sweet, but bitter sweet… and it’s to be found in Brooklyn!

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What are these space aliens doing wandering the streets of Brooklyn? Read the full story here!