New York Botanical Garden: Autumn

reflecting pool  at the New York Botanical Garden

Japanese kiku (chrysanthemums) 

children playing in Halloween costumes 

waterfall on the Bronx River within the New York Botanical Garden

Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden

Japanese kiku (chrysanthemums)

Located in the borough of the Bronx, the gardens encompass several hundred acres, including about 50 acres of native forest traversed by the Bronx River. And it's only 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal on Metro North! The seasonal flower display in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory this autumn is all about Japanese Kiku [chrysanthemums].

Summer in the City

Gramercy Park dressed in green

peaches

cherries

tomatoes

Gramercy Park, and the Union Square Greenmarket - one is a cool, green oasis (and a very private park), while the other is bursting with the colors of summer's fruit and vegetable bounty, available to everyone in this most public of spaces.

Around Midtown (Manhattan)

sky reflected in skyscraper's windows

"twinned" Chrysler Building

Chrysler Building in the fog

a favorite window display

twilight on Lexington Avenue, looking north towards the Chrysler Building

Reflections. They are everywhere, but you have to look, stop, take a few steps forward, backward, until you see just which image you wish to capture in that reflection. Twin Chryslers: I'd like to think that I found an exclusive spot [and I'll never tell where it's located], but who knows? Maybe others have found it, too. Take a close look at the window display: J.Crew on Madison Avenue. Very clever - a series of prints of sky/sea/sand are casually displayed; looks really good.

High Line - section 1 opens

the High Line is straddled by the Standard Hotel

old railroad tracks and wildflowers

part of the High Line has a "viewing" section over Tenth Avenue

view of the Hudson River from the High Line

IAC building, viewed from the High Line

flowers on the High Line

trees and benches on the High Line

expansive views on the High Line

The first section of the High Line - from Gansevoort Street to West 20th Street - opened to the public on June 9, 2009. It was an instant success, and became a "must see" part of any New York visit.

Chinatown - Street Life

daily life

pagoda with dragon visitor's booth

colorful shoppers

fresh fish

view of the Chrysler building from Chinatown

busy streets

colorful store signs

Everyone's heard of Canal Street, and probably Mott Street. But to really explore Chinatown be certain to wander up and down Baxter, Mulberry, and Elizabeth, and criss-cross Bayard, Pell, Doyers, and Mosco. The latter is a short street between Mott and Mulberry Street that leads to Columbus Park (named after Christopher C. in 1911). This park's site was part of the infamous Five Points area, overrun with gangs and disease during the 19th century.

Chinatown - Signs

there are some words in English - tea, special, fish ball, steamed pork bun

colorful produce

the Verizon guy in Chinatown

this sign is very clear

Buddhist temple topped with resort "pleasure" billboard

back rub storefront

Chinese pharmacy

   Just look around - any questions as to where you are? The signage all around you spells Chinatown, loudly and clearly. I especially like the Verizon guy. Take a close look at the photograph sandwiched between the two foot rub photos: at ground level is a Buddhist temple, topped by a large billboard proclaiming "worlds of pleasure" at Atlantic City resorts.

New York Botanical Garden: in the Bronx, on a rainy day

path to a wet bench

meeting of the trees

lovely wet flowers

expansive green lawn

Go out and take photographs on a wet day! Look at the wonderful greens, which would be washed out on a sunny day. The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx was a serene, gentle place for a small group of photographers - led by Margo Moss of the New School - to explore.

Brooklyn Bridge Park: B.C.- before carousel

Brooklyn Bridge, and railing along the East River 

Springtime red-breasted Robins on the lawn

willow tree at Brooklyn Bridge Park (Manhattan Bridge in the distance)

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge Park, willow tree, and empty Tobacco Warehouse (built in the 1870s)

A gray Spring day makes the greenery "pop", and softens the swooping metal of the bridge and railing. I've had to return to this post to add: note the expanse of green grass, and the long hanging branches of a very large willow tree. And notice what is missing from the bridge photo's upper right area - no Freedom Tower, no Gehry building yet visible. Now, there is more pavement and a (lovely) carousel in the park, less grass, and no willow tree.

New York transportation

Smart red

Smart blue

Smart yellow

burgundy and chrome (motorcycle)

powder blue scooter, red jeep

Sure, New Yorkers walk a lot, and take subways and buses - but lately there are increasing numbers of Smart Cars spotted around town, the perfect urban 4-wheeled vehicles. And always there are scooters and 'cycles everywhere.