Breaking the Ice
After a week of freezing temperatures, ice floes drifted down the Hudson. As Midtown and Downtown Manhattan lit up at sunset, a lone tugboat cut through the ice, turning an already great scene into something even better.
Snowboken
On January 25, 2026, a winter storm walloped the east coast, bringing a foot or more of snow to parts of the NYC region (Hoboken got 9.8 inches). Here are some scenes taken during the height of the storm.
Go With the Flow
A forecasted sunrise fizzled, but the Hudson River didn’t. On a low-wind, boatless morning, the river revealed its movement — smooth, ordered, and brisk. Sometimes the right image comes from stopping the chase and going with the flow.
Sunrises and Serrated Peaks in the Sawtooth Wilderness
5 days, 40 miles, and breathtaking sunrises in Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness - lakes, ridges, and unforgettable moments on and off the beaten path
The Seals of Sandy Hook
Once rare in Sandy Hook Bay, harbor seals have returned. Cleaner water, healthier fish populations, and stronger protections have changed the story. Each fall, seals migrate south from Canada and New England, hauling out along the bay to rest, warm up, and ride out the winter.
Painted Buntings in Jersey City
Painted buntings are rare visitors to New Jersey, especially in winter. So when a brightly colored male appeared at a backyard feeder near Harsimus Cemetery in downtown Jersey City, birders from across the region took notice. Against an otherwise gray winter backdrop, the bunting brought a flash of color that felt almost unreal.
Capturing Two NYC Icons in One Shot
Two of New York City's most iconic symbols - the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building - lie 5.1 miles apart - one in Midtown Manhattan and the other in the Upper Newark Bay. So how - and from where - can you capture them in one photo?
Sandhill Cranes in New Jersey
Sandhill cranes are the most abundant crane species in the world, yet they remain uncommon in New Jersey. As sightings increase, I was fortunate to encounter them in three different locations over just two weeks.
The Palisades Peregrines
Once driven to local extinction in the eastern United States by DDT, peregrine falcons have made a remarkable recovery through bans, captive breeding, and reintroduction efforts. Along the Hudson Palisades, a resident pair lives year-round, offering a rare chance to observe the world’s fastest bird up close.
Turnpike Exit 15X – New Jersey’s Egretpalooza
You wouldn’t expect one of New Jersey’s largest wildlife spectacles to exist between Newark and Manhattan, beside the Turnpike and one of the busiest rail corridors in the country. But just before sunset, hundreds, sometimes nearly a thousand, egrets stream into a small grove of trees around a pond in Secaucus.
