Red-Spotted Purple Admiral

 

Yep, it's a Red-Spotted Purple Admiral butterfly. Although blue to my eyes, I guess it's deemed purple. You can just make out the reddish spots at the top of its wings. I found this little guy one summer day at the Bridgewater Train Station (NJ). He was a cooperative model for the photo shoot.

Retro NJ Transit

Perhaps not retro for some of the rail lines, but my NJ Transit line (Raritan Valley) has had double-decker trains for a number of years now.

What's With This Winter Stuff?

 

Dear Mother Nature,

Okay, we've seen the snow. We've felt the cold air. Spring can come now. Thank you!

Reflection

A building is reflected on a building in Manhattan.

Sunrise at the Station

Just before sunrise approaching the Plainfield Train Station. Oh, not this morning. I don't think the sunrise was much more than a lightening of the skies today. Although the amount of snow we got was nothing like what was forecast, it snowed well into the afternoon.

Eek! Help Me!

 

EEK! A cicada killer wasp is flying right at me! Eek!

Oh, wait. They don't sting. They hover, dart and fight with other male cicada killer wasps for territory. How do they fight? They beat each other with their wings. It's loud, but funny!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Hot, hot, hot! Let's pretend it's summer! Now, I'm not a big fan of summer. I enjoy spring and fall. Winter and summer, not so much. With winter, it's not the cold that bothers me the most -- it's the aftermath of snowstorms with ice and snow remaining on the sidewalks and streets.

So, with a blizzard warning up, I'd even rather summer heat. At least with a blizzard, chances are that I don't have to be out in it if the roads are terrible and they cancel the trains. In the summer, they never cancel the trains because of heat!

Um, let's go for spring instead.

Contented Cat

 

Okay, my last shot was a bit depressing.

But a contently napping Vincent cat should make it all good once again!

The World Passes By

I edited this shot so only the greenery of the passing world remains in color. I feel the photo screams futility. On a cold grey winter day with rain-sogged snow, it does seem pretty futile. Unless you're inside baking cookies, that is.

Ralph Kramden Reporting for Duty

 

A statue of television's biggest NYC bus driver, Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) from The Honeymooners stands on duty in front of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. I'll admit to sitting on its base sometimes awaiting time for my bus home. It's definitely better than sitting on the ground! Plus, much easier to get up from, too.