City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.


It has been a while since I had a walk through Central Park, and even though rain was very much in today's forecast, I decided that today would be a fine time to head outdoors with my camera.


What I wanted to do was to take some dark green early June photographs that I might eventually use for some drawing or painting subjects.  I also had my sketchbook in my bag, just in case the heavy grey clouds gave way to blue sky.

After a few minutes' walking, it was clear that having my umbrella also packed away in my bag was a fine idea.

What time do you think is pictured?  It was not yet midday.

Some of the greens seem silvery, while others have a neon glow.

I managed to get to the Shakespeare Garden before rain drops began to fall.  This is an in between time of the year, when lots of late spring rains have encouraged leaves to grow to their full potential, and most spring flowers are a bit past their prime.


This combination makes for an interesting interplay of shapes and textures, with just a few spots of accenting colors.

When I came upon the coleus plants in the following photo, the actual soil looked to be a very deep purple.  What drama in the Shakespeare Garden this morning!

Quite a few types of lilies were in bloom, reaching upwards from the tops of very tall stalks.  I saw a Park gardener at a distance.  He was almost hidden behind all the greenery.  (I waved at him but did not take his picture.)

There were more orange lilies than pink lilies.

I love the look of these glossy oval leaves with the zig-zaggedy edges.

As I neared my usual exit steps from the Garden, I encountered a safety barricade and the following sign.

I retraced my steps and found another pathway exit, and came upon these cheery little berries that had grown right next to one of the "rustic" fences that ring the Garden.

Some of these ferns were almost as tall as I am.  The recent weather seems to have treated them very well.

This little violet beauty was being trained to climb around a painted iron lamp post.  I think that it might be a clematis?  I did not seen another one in the entire Garden.

Here is another view of the stairway that is undergoing some restoration.  I imagine that when the project is completed, the area will look just as beautifully rustic and relaxing as before.

A short way from the Garden this lovely tree can be found.

I would have liked to stay near that tree for a bit longer, but the sky was turning darker, and the air was becoming more moist.  I hurried along the walkway next to the lake.

The following is one of several photos I took of the remnants of flowers.  I really wanted to take more photos but by this time I was feeling some rain drops, and my camera was telling me that its battery was almost out of power.

I traded my camera for my umbrella, and as I left the Park the rain began.  How fortunate I was to have been allowed the time to have my wander amongst all those deeply green plants!


These photos are just a sampling of the views I captured this morning.  If I do get around to using any of them to create some artwork, I will get the camera out again.


Many thanks to you all for your recent visits and thoughtful comments.  I do appreciate hearing from you.