Rocco Galatioto, nice photos and good food

This is my urban  backyard, a source of great peace and tranquility. A little escape from the many daily chores and responsibilities.  At this time of the year it is especially lush and laden with flowers. Just lovely.

After the winter of our discontent and a spring full of promises but little else, summer has officially begun. Naturally we will soon complain about the heat. Nevertheless, summer is really the most fun season. In accordance with the blog's new look that mimics the seasons we have changed the colors to those that represent the heat of summer. We wish our northern hemisphere followers a happy and safe summer. To those in the southern hemisphere hold tight your summer will soon begin. Here are a few photos shot a few years ago in Washington Park in New York that are emblematic of summer in the big city. The camera was the Panasonic LX-3.

The death of main street USA has been a slow process that has accelerated in recent years and has has almost run its course. It's not where the products are made but where they are sold. We do not engage i9n polemics in this blog but it is sad to see this  inevitable development. This is a recent photo shot in Scranton, PA. Stores are closed and the streets are deserted. The feeling is lugubrious, at best. Olympus EPL-2

This is still a photo blog but I cannot helping photographing dishes that I cook especially if they are healthful and easy to make.  This is a Sicilian   cauliflower base  pasta gets it's name from the way it's prepared. It may be made simpler or more complex but either way it's delicious. The recipe can be gotten on line easily. It is similar to the one using broccoli.  I just love this shot made with very simple kitchen available light.

If you follow this blog, you know that I love to photograph children. No matter what job I shot, I  would always try to find interesting shots that I took for myself. These children wee at a Diocesan event a few years ago.  

In these times of GMO's, processed fast foods and all sort of junk foods, it is comforting to know that healthful and delicious food is really very simple. This example of spaghetti con broccoli fritti or spaghetti with fried broccoli makes the point. Part boil the florets, remove and in the same water cook the pasta. In a large skillet put EVO, a dash of peperoncino, the florets and Sicilian sea salt. Saute and add the al dente spaghetti. Stir in some plain bread crumbs and a dash g parmigiano. Tuttu fatto e buon appetito.

Very close to my home in Queens, and inside New York City lies the Jamaica Wildlife Refuge. It's a great place to walk, take pictures and enjoy nature. Bird watchers are treated to a large variety of species. These are a few shots I took today.

These two late fall shots are some of my favorites because they capture a specific atmosphere. The camera was the original Canon 1D with a mere 4 mega pixels and the Canon 16-35 F 2.8 L lens.