My favorite places to photographHere , you will find a list of some of my favorite spots to shoot or just spend time walking around. This is a work in progress , so please bear with me. There are lots of places I have shot and it will take a lot of computer time to list them all. As with everything else , my back problems limit the time I can spend sitting at the computer, so it will take some time before this page is completed These are mostly places where I will go back multiple times to shoot. As everyday or each new season offers a different view of each spot. I hope you can take the time to check out some these spots. I will eventually try to add a photo , map view and the address of each location. So if your interested in checking it out , you can Google up a map for yourself. If you go to any of them and shoot ,I'd love to check out your photos from your visits. Since I call this home - this is the biggest list LOL The Niagara River The Niagara River runs from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario Almost anywhere along it provides great views and sunset shots. BUT , here are my favorite spots along it. Squaw Island - From here at the beginning of the mighty Niagara you can shoot multiple excellent items of interest. The Peace Bridge - connecting Buffalo, NY to Fort Erie , Canada The Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse - owned by the West Side Rowing club. This can be shot from the shore or off the break wall separating the Niagara River from the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal runs on one side of the island - many interesting shots can be had along it here. The Grand Island Bridges (south) the southern pair of bridges connecting Grand Island to the rest of Erie County/Buffalo area. Located at the junction of River Road and the 190 "thruway"- small parking lot(6 cars) right under bridge. on the United States side of the river only Veterans Memorial Park ( aka Aqua Park) small park with river view on River Road , in Town of Tonawanda ,NY Isle View Park - South of & right next to NiaWanda on River Road in City of Tonawanda ,NY another excellent place for walking, picnics & photography is where the Erie Canal and Tonawanda Creek meet the Niagara. There is a walk way that extends the length of the river. Nia-Wanda Park a favorite spot of mine and I visit it weekly on River Road in Town of Tonawanda ,NY . excellent for biking , hiking, walking & sunsets. Gratwick Riverside Park on River Road in North Tonawanda ,NY activities - same as the others listed previously Jayne Park River Road and Buffalo Ave in Niagara Falls , NY Small park - limited view of Cayuga Island and the river. Niagara Falls State Park on the Robert Moses Parkway in Downtown Niagara falls , NY This is one of the premier photo sites of Western New York First there's the Falls itself - what more can I say there Then there are a couple Islands that are included in the park which offer great photo ops and great places to walk and sit along the river. This is one of my favorite spots to come and I try to get there at least once a month There are multiple places along the Robert Moses Parkway that one can pull over to shoot the gorge or walk along it. a trail runs miles along the edge of it Devils Hole State Park - Robert Moses Parkway excellent views of the Niagara Gorge and the "Devil's Hole" whirlpool. Artpark 450 South 4th St. , Lewiston, New York 14092 this one time chemical dump is an awesome park to visit. You get excellent views from not only the top of the gorge but you are able to descend a stairway to the edge of the Niagara River. You never know what you will find going on here. From free concerts to art exhibitions , its always interesting. One of the great places to photograph or just picnic and hike around Joseph Davis State Park between the Robert Moses Parkway & the Seaway trail nice small park with a view of the river. Fort Niagara State Park Robert Moses Parkway The last park on the Niagara River at the spot where the river meets Lake Ontario. Here you will find "Old Fort Niagara" a beautiful 18th century stone castle like military installation . The fort has seen 3 different countries have control of it since it was built. The French built it back in the 1700s ,the British held it until the end of the Revolutionary War The Americans used it as a functioning military base until after World War 2. It's right across the river from The British Fort George in Ontario Which was built after the American Revolution and was a spot of heated battles between the two countries in 1812 SO here you'll find history , great views and a really interesting place to walk around. Legend has it the grounds are haunted by many a ghost too Graveyards are another passion of mine Not only to photograph but to walk around and explore. Here in Western New York , we have many that date back to the late 1700s They contain not only historical markers but some have some really beautiful carved marble / granite markers. Forest Lawn Cemetery Located on Delaware Ave in Buffalo , NY This is the final resting spot for many historical and famous figures. From US Presidents to Rock Stars , you will find it all here. This is my #1 favorite cemetery. City of Tonawanda Cemetery Located on Military Road ( north of Wheeler St) It is actually 2 small cemeteries dating back to the 1800s Most stones in good shape and readable. Across the street is a Catholic Cemetery that dates from the very late 1800s too. Elmlawn Cemetery Entrance at Corner of Brighton and Delaware Avenue 3939 Delaware Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217 Excellent older cemetery dating back to the mid-1800s Here you will find a large well kept area with many interesting gravestones. It is one of a few cemeteries that have sections devoted to different religions which is interesting as there are many stones decorated with unique religious symbols Mount Calvary Cemetery 800 Pine Ridge Heritage Blvd ,Cheektowaga,NY but there is an entrance on Harlem Rd near the Route 33 overpass. Mostly Catholic cemetery dating back to the late 1800s Large , well kept and contains many unique stones and statues. Cemetery Since I have taken up photography in 2006 , I haven't traveled much but here is what I have found Feel free to write and ask me about these spots I have information, maps and directions to many of them Florida Bradenton ,Florida Area Anna Maria Island - on the gulf coast , this contains 4 public beaches for beautiful sunsets Also has a nature preserve ( Leffis Key) , a couple fishing piers , a couple marinas & many good restaurants 3 bridges onto the island for unique pictures Long Boat Key - south of Anna Maria Island on the gulf coast this island is the home to many a rich persons winter digs There is LIMITED public access to the gulf beaches with very little parking but the beaches can give you nice places to shoot the sunsets especially at the northern tip an incredible beach called "Beer Can Island". Another great place for photos or walks is the Durante Park. This is a 33 acre site that was donated to be used as a nature preserve. it has beautiful gardens and walkways that lead thru mangroves to boardwalks on Sarasota Bay Large variety of water fowl and wild life can be found at times Sarasota , Florida - many interesting things can be found in this city -- my favorite place is Mote Marine Institute Here they rescue manatees and other water life They have a very nice aquarium and grounds to walk around and photograph. but the Manatee and dolphin exhibits are the high points -- St.Armondes Square - is the favorite boutique shopping area for the upper class Sarasotans, Many very high end clothing shops and art galleries ( selling even Dalis) The Square is the scene for many very nice outside art and craft shows, but be warned very few exhibitors want their goods photographed!! --Sarasota has many nice public beaches with lots of parking, the nicest right near St Armondes Square ___Ringling Museums the well know circus family had its headquarters here and now has donated their mansion to be used as a museum. They also have an incredible art museum that is well worth visiting too. Myakka State Park, Florida - beautiful park on the Myakka River Wide variety of plants & wildlife to be seen and photographed Everything and anything - raccoons , gators , herons ,egrets ,vultures ,parrots It has a tree canopy walk that is incredible as your 70+ feet in the air on a rope bridge type walk way Canada The border to Canada is about 5 minutes from my house as the crow flies I used to often go there but these days don't travel as much Niagara Falls The view of Niagara Falls is the best from the Canadian side of the border,especially at night At night the Falls are lit up by colored flood lights creating a beautiful scene. There are many nice small gardens along the gorge walkway BUT the massive gardens from the past are gone and replaced by Casinos and eateries  ----The Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory Located near the Queenston Bridge , they have over 65 varieties of butterflies So the thousands of butterflies offer a unique photo opportunity. The grounds has a very large series of gardens that are beautiful and well kept  Chitzen Itza , Mexico This is one of the finest Mayan ruins available for tourists to visit. South west of Cancun , it provides excellent ruins to wander around in. From pyramids to temples it has them all and all are in exceptional states to view. If you are serious about seeing it, stay at one of the hotels near it for a night or two 'and give your self the chance to spend at least a full day there to walk this ancient city If you go on a tourist "day" trip , you will only spend 2 or 3 hours there. Barely time to see half of it. Unfortunately , we had only 4 hours there but I shot over 400 pictures I would go back in a heartbeat and am still trying to talk my wife into it. I hope you can experience one or many of these spots, either for just walking around or for some interesting places to photograph. So your feedback on this page is really appreciated ! ! ! If you use it , I would sure like to know and would enjoy seeing any pics you shoot or hear tales of your adventures If you want to e-mail me feel free , Broken_Gargoyle@GargoylesDomain.com Due to my back problems I CAN'T devote the time I'd like to being online but will be updating and I'll try to return any emails as fast as possible Thanks for checking out my web site any comments or ideas are always welcomed Page updated August 7th , 2008 |
