Coney Island: Winter’s First Snow. January 25, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
It’s about time it snowed! In past years, ATZ has posted Bruce Handy’s first snow of the season photos in December and once in October during the weather event known as Snowtober. “I was on the beach near the water earlier about 5, when I felt the wind shift, all the seagulls took off, the snow front had arrived,” says the Coney Island resident and photographer, who took this series of photos on Friday night. His elongated shadow appears on the snowy boardwalk in the photo above.
Coney Island: Winter’s First Snow. January 25, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
On the roof of Paul’s Daughter, Papa Burger looks out at the sparkly boardwalk and the silent and motionless rides of Luna Park and Wonder Wheel Park. Luna Park’s colorful Balloon Expedition, seen below, looks like a sugar coated confection.
Coney Island: Winter’s First Snow. January 25, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
“The snowflakes were very light, very silvery, and it was not cold,” says Bruce Handy, who only saw one other person on his photowalk. “Timeless feeling when it snows, like a dream, you can imagine the rides running packed with people.”
Coney Island: Winter’s First Snow. January 25, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
The 12th Street side of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park is illuminated by vintage light fixtures made by amusement ride manufacturer William F. Mangels, whose factory was once on 8th Street in Coney Island. The park’s vintage kiddie fire engines and pony cart rides were made there.
Coney Island: Winter’s First Snow. January 25, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
“And as I’m walking, I’m having a future memory of how this spot will be in the future, the B&B Carousell music playing,” says Bruce Handy of this shot of the Parachute Jump and the new pavilion for the antique carousel, which will open this season. “When I’m in the falling snow, I lose all sense of time, could be years, could be seconds.”
Coney Island: Winter’s First Snow. January 25, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
Snowy midway in Wonder Wheel Park and wintry Cyclone! In just 56 days –March 24, 2013– the wheel will spin and the roller coaster will go for its first run of the season.
Coney Island: Winter’s First Snow. January 25, 2013. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary
Related posts on ATZ…
October 31, 2011: Photo Album: Snowtober in Coney Island by Bruce Handy
December 27, 2010: Photo of the Day: First Snow on Coney Island Boardwalk
February 26, 2010: Photo of the Day: Snow Mermaid on Coney Island Beach
December 20, 2009: Coney Island Photo of the Day: First Snow on the Cyclone
Amusing the Zillion 
Bruce Handy has never failed to take excellent photos of the Coney that not many people see or experiance. Mr. Handy has a camera eye and captures scenes and brings you right there with a feeling that is truly wonderful. As a photographer myself…..BRAVO!! Thanks Bruce.
yes, it’s so true. Bruce’s residence in Coney Island, right across from the amusement parks, gives an up close and affectionate view. He’s always there, walking the boards, not just on Mermaid Day!
Beautifully shot, as always, by Bruce. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the encouragement, I appreciate very much Tricia displaying my photos.
Thanks very much, Bruce and Tricia, these photos are SO evocative, somewhat melancholy. So Coney Island…
really swell-thank you!
Thank you, Richard, I’m reminded of a quote that I can’t put my fingers on, but it goes something like this : “Coney Island is more about what is not there than what is there”
yes, the quote, not sure of exact wording, is by vocalist and songwriter Carol Lipnik (http://www.mermaidalley.com/home.cfm). It appears on the screen at the beginning of the film “Last Summer at Coney Island”
Pretty sure it snowed already this season. Remember the November nor’easter?
I do recall anticipating snow and photos of snow. As far as I remember it didn’t pile up or Bruce would have been out there taking pix. Maybe he will chime in….
In any case, Friday was the first snow of winter!