By Vladimir Brezina
Canada Geese are hard to miss on the water
By Vladimir Brezina and Johna Till Johnson
With the ability to paddle
through the shallowest water and the narrowest gap between rocks and pilings, and the motivation to poke into obscure corners, a kayaker sees things in New York Harbor that those on larger boats miss. Most affecting—because they too were once alive—are the remains of the vessels that at one time or another were left in an out-of-the-way corner of the harbor and never moved again. Here are three such places:
Posted in Kayaking, New York City
Tagged Arthur Kill, Graveyard of Ships, Kayaking, New York Harbor, Newtown Creek, Schamonchi, Wrecks, Yellow Submarine
By Vladimir Brezina and Johna Till Johnson
Kayaking in the waterways of New York City is a distinctly urban experience. Instead of quiet nature, New York City kayakers are treated to the sights and sounds of the city and close-up views of a man-made marine ecosystem of seawalls, docks, piers, ferries, tugs, barges, tankers, cruise ships, huge bulkers and container ships, and a myriad marine-industrial activities. The energy of the city is ever-present.
Yet, nature is present too. Between petrochemical plants, there’s a remnant of a beach, or salt-water marsh. Gulls watch from pilings. Rafts of ducks and geese float in the backwaters between piers and nest in odd corners.
And every now and again we receive a reminder that the waters of New York City are really those of the Atlantic Ocean, where wild things are.
Posted in Kayaking, Nature, New York City
Tagged Animals, Kayaking, Marine Mammals, New York Harbor, Porpoise, Seal, Swinburne Island