Meet The Black-Crowned Night Heron Of The Gowanus Canal

Photo Credit: Cynthia J. Cage

Fellow blogger Cynthia was kind enough to send me her fantastic photo of a heron at the Gowanus canal. I had never seen one myself, nor, in all honesty, did I know that there were any by the shores of the heavily polluted waterway. Cynthia writes:

I was walking the dog one night and was in the dead end on Sackett when I saw the most beautiful bird. It is an immature Black-Crowned Night Heron. He was just sitting there on the boom (not sure what it is) in the Canal. I just hoped he didn't drink or fish in the water. LOL Just thought this might interest the readers especially those living nearby.

Unfortunately, the heron most probably feeds on the fishes in the canal. And this is how the pollutants deep within the water of the Gowanus are spread out from its banks and get into the food chain. That is what the EPA is concerned about and why the federal agency proposed to place the Gowanus Canal on its list of Superfund sites. For the heron's sake and ours, lets hop they do.

Thanks Cynthia , for sharing the photo. The name of her blog is Living in Brooklyn-Longing for Maine. Hope you check it out, dear Reader.

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A Moment In Time: A Look At The Menu

This foursome was
walking slowly down Smith Street,
looking over the menus
posted in the windows.
Which restaurant they settles on,
I cannot say.

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Watercolor Classes With Local Artist Bonnie Steinsnyder

watercolor by Bonnie Steinsnyder

Bonnie Steinsnyder was hanging up a poster advertising her watercolor classes when I came across her on Court Street. She is a local artist who has taught this class at Christ Church for a few years now. I had not met her before, but the watercolor accompanying her flier was so lovely, that I stopped, introduced myself and asked her about the classes. We walked together for a few blocks and exchanged contact information. She is a lovely person and her art is simply beautiful. Make sure to check out her website and please contact her if you would like to take her class. Below is the information:

WATERCOLOR CLASSES

Relax and have fun while painting!
Monday evenings, 7 pm to 9:30 pm, Fall 2009
Sept. 14, 21, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec.7, 14
Location: Linden Tree School at Christ Church, 3rd floor, 108 Kane St. (near Clinton St.)
13 classes $325.
Registration and more information: email steinsnyder@nyc.rr.com
Materials list and specific description of supplies available at registration.
Taught by teacher/artist Bonnie Steinsnyder, MFA. View my work at www.steinsnyder.com


About Bonnie Steinsnyder and her recent series of watercolors:
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. The variety and intensity of the greens and other natural colors stayed with me. I tend to look for them in the environments of New York. So this summer (when it was not raining) I did a series of watercolors based on Central Park, paying attention to the strength of the colors while maintaining the atmosphere of urban oasis.

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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A Moment Back In Time: Chas. Becker, Fruit & Vegetables

There is nothing I like as much as old photographs of Brooklyn. I just recently came across this one of a horse drawn fruit and vegetable wagon from the early 1900s. I love the dapper produce salesman in his three piece suit. His wagon is marked "Chas. Becker, 8th Ave & 12th Street Brooklyn".

Neat, no?

Of course, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill still had a pony cart vendor who came around until the 1980's. Read more about him here.

And does anyone remember the fishmonger who used stand on Court Street, mostly between First and Second Place?

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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Hey, Neighbor! Pardon Me For Asking But...

...are you being eaten alive by mosquitoes? Whatever happened to West Nile disease????
Every time I go out in the late afternoon or early evening, there seem to be swarms of those nasty buggers around. Is it just me or are they getting worse?
Is the city still spraying?


For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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Drinks Anyone? The Lullwater Lounge At Prospect Park's Boat House!

Fall 2009

The cool Brooklyn events just keep on coming. Here is another one that can't be missed! Drinks at the Prospect Park Boathouse. More info below:

September 16

and October 21

(The third Wednesdays of each month)

6:30 – 9 p.m.

Come on over to the most unique drink spot in Brooklyn!

The Lullwater Lounge at the Boathouse in Prospect Park

is making just two more appearances this year, so don’t miss out!

$25 per person (including drinks and snacks)

To purchase tickets (21 and over), click here.

Escape the hustle and bustle and heat of late New York summer

with a drink on the terrace, or explore some of the Center's hands-on exhibits.

At the Lounge you’ll meet some new neighbors, watch the sun go down,

and relax with a drink under a starry sky.

Directions: The Audubon Center at the Boathouse is located just inside

the Lincoln Road/Ocean Ave. entrance to the Park.

Q, S or B trains to Prospect Park station

Click here to view this location on our Interactive Map.

Bar sponsors: Brooklyn Brewery, Izze Sparkling Juice, Mount Gay Rum

For further information contact Jessie at (718) 965-8988
or email jbetts@prospectpark.org

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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A Moment In Time: Dumbo Lunch Line

On Monday In Dumbo


She looked at her watch
and noticed with astonishment
that it was already lunch time.
She should have known.
A long line had formed
next to the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck.

017, originally uploaded by pardonmeforasking.

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