This used to be a dock facility which included "contained apron" transfer bridges, It was built in 1925 to load and unload rail car floats that served industries on Long Island. It's located a few steps away from where I live along the southern portion of Gantry State Park which is being expanded in both directions along the East River. The new park is making this area of Long Island City a lovely place to spend an afternoon.

Bird on Pier

 

With no particular agenda, I left the apartment recently to simply walk as far as I could and observe the neighborhood. (I really need to get a life.) Anyway, I came across this lonely little bird sitting on the pier overlooking the East River in the quiet of the morning. It didn't phase him one bit that I was closing in on him to get this picture. He did keep a close eye on me, though, as you can see.

Chimney Cakes

 

Aren't these beautiful? I took this picture at a place that makes them just around the corner from my apartment--well 8 blocks away--same thing. The dough is wrapped around a wooden pin and baked over a fire, so they're hollow and soft on the inside and lightly sweet and crunchy on the outside. Called kurtoskalacs, they originated in Hungary.  People used to bring them to weddings where they were enjoyed along with homemade brandy. Now where's my snifter?