Sunday, July 11, 2010

Jamaica Bay Boat Ride for Mosaic Monday


My husband and I took a boat ride last week aboard this vessel that was a National Park Ranger sponsored ecology tour of Jamaica Bay, which is part of  Gateway National Recreation Area.  Jamaica Bay is primarily located in the southwestern tip of Long Island in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, in New York City.


(All photos can be enlarged by clicking on once, and then again when a new page opens.)

Above is a photo of a map of Jamaica Bay that the rangers handed out on the boat.  The area within the dashes is all part of Gateway National Recreation Area. We would be traveling past nesting islands and verdant marshes that are located in the bay.


A few photos of the scenery that we saw from the boat as we pass under the Marine Park - Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge and sailed past Riis Park, Belle Harbor, and the Rockaways. In the bottom middle photo you can see the bar/restaurant called The Warf that I blogged about previously.

The building in the lower left is the Belle Harbor Yacht Club. It was decorated in red white and blue for this special event:




Please take a few minutes to watch this video which shows the Wounded Warrior event that took place in the Rockaways to honor a group of wounded soldiers from the war in Iraq. We owe so much to these brave men and women, and this event will make you feel so proud and happy for them, and for the people who organized this event.


I loved how seagulls and terns followed our boat and I took many photos of them, as you can see by this mosaic.


Jamaica Bay is the best place in New York City to observe seasonal migration of birds. The bay's islands and their ponds are a key layover spot for birds along the Atlantic Flyway.

A few snowy egrets that I spotted as we sailed by.


The island of Manhattan shining in the distance. The Empire State building can be seen in the middle.


Jamaica Bay is in the middle of the New York metropolitan area, and the uplands around the bay, as well as much of the Rockaway barrier beach, are dominated by urban residential, commercial, and industrial development. One example of this can be seen here as one of the islands is called "Subway Island" as the A train passes over it on its way to the Rockaways.


A subway passing over the bridge from Subway Island.


In order for boat traffic to pass through the subway bridge this trestle swings around and opens.


Here it is after our boat passed through.


John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York is also in close proximity to Jamaica Bay and most airplanes fly right over it. The airport is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States


Many airplanes flew right over us when we were sailing in close proximity to the airport.


It is amazing to me that nature and civilization have found a harmonious way to exist. I am glad that most of the waters and marshes of Jamaica Bay have been protected since 1972 as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area under the auspices of the National Park Service, and that conservation is now in effect to preserve this valuable part of our environment from further development.

Our boat ride ended in a beautiful sunset and in our greater appreciation for part of the waters that surround New York City.  For such a populous city we are fortunate to have such beautiful links to nature right at our front door.

I'm adding this post to Mosaic Monday on Marys blog Little Red House. Please visit Mary today to see her beauriful mosaics and links to many participating blogs and their wonderful outdoor posts.





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47 comments:

Carol said...

Great post, Pat! What a nice trip! The view to the city is fantastic. and your shots are just amazing! I have fond memories of the area. The Marine Park Bridge. Broad Channel Day Camp. and it was the "short cut" from my Grandma's house in Brighton when the Belt was a parking lot :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a wonderful post, Pat, and I am amazed that there is that many gorgeous nature areas near one of the largest cities in the world. Just amazing! Great pictures, too!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Talk about heavenly... I would absolutely LOVE that boat ride. You got to see EVERYTHING... Love your pictures... The mosaics are fabulous...

I guess my favorite picture besides the sunset is the one where you see Manhattan... Fabulous!!!!!

Love the Wounded Warrior video. I have seen some of that on TV.. What an inspiration to all of us...

Hugs,
Betsy

A Bit of the Blarney said...

You take such grand pics...And we eat at the Firehouse Brewing Company nearly every time we visit RC! Thank you for stopping by. Wishing you a grand week! Cathy

Sheila said...

Hello Pat - I really enjoyed reading your post after driving to visit my daughter this afternoon. We spent an hour and a half looking at 4 days of New York pictures because each picture comes with a story she tells. I'll have to wait until I visit again to hear the rest of the story. I told her about the pictures of the sculptures on the buildings that you had posted and will send her the link now. Thanks for taking us along on your day trips!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous post! I love your mosiacs, a great way to show your studies of seagulls. You go to a greta deal of trouble to share your adventures with all of us. Thank you!

http://jackieinsurrey.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Another great post Pat you never disappoint. I must text my daughter and tell her try and go on the Jamaica bay boat trip while in NY!!

Love the way you have done the mosaics with the seagulls, very eye catching.

Have a good week, Jackie in UK.

RNSANE said...

Pat, of course, I shed a few tears at that incredible video. It was so incredibly touching and such a wonderful thing for the that firefighter to do...from one set of heroes for another group equally heroic.

Your photographs are beautiful - it is so nice that there is such a special place in close proximity to the big city. The sunset picture was spectacular!

Unknown said...

Pat, I'll tell you one thing for sure, your photos kept getting better! Love all the collages and it will be great if I am on that cruise..hugs/M

Old Kitty said...

Oh Pat - another amazing post!! It's official! I love Jamaica Bay!!!

I think that it's a credit to NYC and its very determined inhabitants that such a fantastic nature reserve exists that all humans and other creatures may enjoy!! I love those shots of egrets and terns - beautiful birds!

And also what a testament to human engineering!! That swinging bridget thing to allow for boat traffic to go through is brilliant! That must be sight to see when it opens up like that to allow for a boat to pass.

Thanks for the clip of that uplifting news story. A lovely and heartfelt homecoming to these veterans (most of whom look far too young to be veterans!!!)and wonderful to see so many volunteers determined to show them a hell of a time!

Take care
x

Jojo said...

That was such a nice tour that included such a wide variety of scenery! Your mosaics are incredible!

Trotter said...

Hi Pat! So many times in NYC but never made this tour; have to try next time... ;). Awesome picture!!

Meanwhile, as I’m in the office, Blogtrotter Two is on the beach... Enjoy and have a great week!

Joyce said...

Nice mosaic and I really like the one of the seagulls. Love the skyline of NYC but really miss those towers. Lots of the areas you mention bring back memories for me. Thanks for sharing.
Joyce

PAT said...

As usual...absolutely wonderful post, Pat!

Hold my hand: a social worker's blog said...

Lovely post!! Again, great pictures. You make us "feel" the excitement and beauty of those places, just as if we were there!!

Also, thanks for your sweet comment. :-))

(((((( cheers )))))))

Doris

diane b said...

A very interesting side of NYC and beautiful photos too.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I am always amazed when I see your photos...images of the city ...surrounded my nature! It's not what I expected! I'm so glad you share your view of the city with us...I always look forward to your posts! ♥

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful place to tour Pat. Your bird shots are amazing. Mine are so often a blur. :-)

The Chrysler Building still has to be my fav NY building. :-)

Barbara said...

I so enjoyed your photography! I especially loved the nature shots. It is wonderful to think of that being so close to such a big city. Thanks for the perfect way to start my day.

Unknown said...

Gateway National Recration AREA: www.nps.gov/gate

It extends beyond Brooklyn & Queens, and includes a good chunk of the east shore of Staten Island, as well as all of Sandy Hook in New Jersey.

Judy said...

Wow...what great pictures you captured that day! Hard to imagine the nature pic's being taken right near the hustle and bustle of the city. Thanks for taking us along on your boat ride.

RoeH said...

I WANNNNA go! But I'm not good on harbor boats. My little tummy reacts. I didn't know I got seasick until I got on a harbor cruise in Hawaii. All 5'4" of me turned green. From toes up. :(((

Vee said...

When you embrace something, you go all the way. Love the style of your birds' mosaic and the beauty of this boat ride is magical.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Thanks NY Metropolitans for your comment! I do know that Gateway Recreational Area is also is located in parts of Staten island and NJ but I was just showing the Queens and Brooklyn waters of Jamaica Bay in this post. If you read some of my prior posts I have a map of the entire Gateway area.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

Together We Save said...

Wonderful post. These pictures are beautiful and your layouts with the mosiac look is amazing!!

My name is Riet said...

What a great trip Pat and what beautiful pictures you made of this piece of your country. Wonderful.

xinex said...

What a fun boat ride, Pat. Your mosaics are beautiful! The views from the boat are breathtaking...Christine

nanny said...

What a fun ride....beautiful scenery all around you....great pictures!

Kathleen said...

Your pics are fabulous! Never would have thought of Jamaica Bay for a boat trip.
I worked in Jamaica a few summers when I was in college.
The wounded warriors project is wonderful. They have given so much for us, I hope people remember them financially and with their prayers!

La Petite Gallery said...

Nice ride, those Egrets are gorgeous. There is alot to see.
You got a different sight of so many places. I never saw Kennedy airport except inside.

Yvonne

La Petite Gallery said...

Nice ride, those Egrets are gorgeous. There is alot to see.
You got a different sight of so many places. I never saw Kennedy airport except inside.

Yvonne

La Petite Gallery said...

Nice ride, those Egrets are gorgeous. There is alot to see.
You got a different sight of so many places. I never saw Kennedy airport except inside.

Yvonne

Claudia said...

Oh Pat - the birds just take my breath away. Of course, I'm a bird-nerd. Thank-you for honoring our brave and amazing soldiers.

Mary Lou said...

I want to live in your mosaic..

Lorrie said...

Terrific post Pat! I used to go bird watching at Jamaica Bay with my parents years ago. I agree that it's wonderful that such a large metropolitan area also has beautiful natural areas near at hand. Great outing for you and your husband!

Mary said...

Oh, I would LOVE to take that tour! What wonderful sights to see. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful images at MM. :)

Just a little something from Judy said...

This is another item on my list of things I want to see in the city. Thank you for taking me along today. The ride was beautiful! Love how you did the mosaic. The sunset picture took my breath away with it's beauty.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What wonderful photos! Several of your photos look like they belong in frames on the walls. Love the way you did the mosaic of the seagulls and terns. That sunset photo is stunning! What a wonderful project the fireman and his neighbors undertook. The video brought tears to my eyes. laurie

Lisa@GrandmasBriefs said...

Hi Pat: Ohmigosh, that last photo is absolutely breathtaking! They're all beautiful but that one is truly something special.

I was thinking of you last night while watching HGTV's "Selling New York." :o) What a great place to live!

GailO said...

Such incredible photos Pat! I especially love the photo of the skyline...and the mosaic of the lush green inlets full of birds...truly amazing. I agree that it is nice to know that nature can co-exist with the city so well...

Gracie said...

You're providing me with such lovely and unusual things to do if/when I will be able to actually be in NYC! Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos.
I'm leaving next sunday for my summer vacation, destination: Germany. I'll see again in august. Have a nice time.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I'm a fan of your photography, Pat. I found the seagull mosaic to be fresh and unique.

And I loved, loved, the sunset shot!

Catherine said...

Can`t wait to show my friends (formerly of New York) your beautiful pictures. Stunning!

Elisa Day said...

Wonderful images! Thank you for sharing! Your blogposts makes me to dream away. Hugs

La Petite Gallery said...

In answer to your comment. That train ride sounds like a real winner. Napa Valley, oh, ann the beautiful vinyards. I'd like to see that.

yvonne

Jesson Balaoing said...

nice post, i love those scenery! like it really!

Pondside said...

It's hard to wrap one's head around the idea of all that nature so close to one of the world's largest cities!
Thanks for another fantastic tour.