I was in New York City on photography business about two weeks before Sept. 11. A friend drove me around to see all the skyscrapers.

I spent the entire next day by myself on Ellis Island, which is of great interest to me because I am an immigrant.

As I looked across the water at the Manhatten skyline, I thought, “Perhaps I should photograph those buildings.” Then I thought, “But that’s so common a photo — everybody takes pictures of the New York skyline. Besides, they’re just big buildings full of people at work.” I usually like to take photographs of wild horses or people; buildings don’t interest me much.

As I walked farther along the perimeter of Ellis Island, I saw a small dock lined with seagulls.

“That will be my picture of the Twin Towers,” I remember thinking with excitment. The pier and the seagulls made a nice transition to the city.

Little did I know that most of those people in those buildings had only two weeks left at work.

Anne Stansell

Los Lunas

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The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.