April 26th-Gowanus and Red Hook

Early on Sunday morning, I found a parking lot on 6th Street open from which one gets a good view of the Whole Foods site.

Then I walked around to 2nd ave. This view is looking towards Ferrarra Brothers on the other side of the canal.

This sumac is starting to grow at the end of of Huntington Street at the edge of the canal.

The site called Gowanus Village is in the background. Its primary contaminant is PCBs as it was the Nassau Electric Railroad Powerhouse.

In the afternoon, I went with Nina to Red Hook. It was midday and hot. I was doubtful I would get anything shooting in the direct light but we went into the undeveloped lot right next to Ikea, accessible from Columbia Street, which I assume was also part of the U. S. Dredging Shipyards. In the far corner of the lot was a makeshift shelter surrounded by shopping carts. My guess is that someone lives there. This would be his or her view.

The site has some small indications of its former use.

Working Waterfront, Past and Present

I walked down the the Gowanus and across the Hamilton Avenue Bridge. I got a different view of Benson Scrap metal. I like this photo because it gives a sense of chaos spiling out of order.

Then I walked thru Red Hook and out Columbia Street. The views of the Brooklyn waterfront were awesome at that time of day. I am including this photo of the grain elevator rather than one that has the Williamsburg Bank Building in the background because the color is better. This is the abandonned waterfront.

Then there is the waterfront as it is being remodeled for commerce and recreation. Ikea lights up these old cranes at night. They look spectacular.