I just got back to the hotel from Peck Slip in Manhattan, which overlooks the East River and Brooklyn skyline. It was a chilly 39 degrees.

In 40 minutes, I saw four bright meteors. I had my Nikon Coolpix 995 perched on a railing to take eight second exposures. I think I may have snagged one trail in the 50-odd images I made.

Viewing conditions were textbook bad with city lights, a full moon on the other side of the horizon and high, thin clouds. That I saw any meteors at all means the show must have been spectacular out in the countryside.

Walking back to the hotel, I dodged forklifts zipping by the loading bays of Fulton Fish Market. Hundreds of workers--too busy to think about meteors-- were loading up trucks and vans with today's catch.

- mike lee - new york and baltimore - curiouslee.com