Halloween Berch, 2015

Some Halloween 2015 compositions from Astoria storefront artist Berch:

Spring (And Now It Will Be 87 Tomorrow)

Spring at Brooklyn College:

Then a few days later, spring at Astoria Park:

Zoos And Aquariums Of The East Coast

At some point in your life you visit many, many zoos. Here are some recent visits to zoos and aquariums along the East Coast.

The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest in the U.S. They have a wonderful primate facility where you can get real close and gawk:

Across the river in Camden is the Adventure Aquarium, which used to be owned by the state but which was unloaded to a private entity about ten years ago. There’s a fun shark tunnel there:

In Sarasota, the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has a great manatee exhibit and a rarely-in-captivity dolphin (which is only there because it was injured and can’t be in the wild):

Closer to home, there is the grand Bronx Zoo:

The Queens Zoo is a great little zoo — and I don’t think “little” is a pejorative: there’s something to the idea that a visit to the zoo doesn’t have to be this exhausting day-long slog. The Queens Zoo focuses on animals of the Americas, as well, which is a cool curatorial take. The Buckminster Fuller dome/aviary is a hoot, too:

Finally, the Staten Island Zoo makes for a fun trip to the island. The nursery there is fun to see:

Also, Staten Island Chuck, who takes down mayors: