Remnants of Winter's Touch!

Central Park is my home away from home -always in awe of the impact the seasons have on the look and feel of the park - enamored with its fluctuating light, varying vegetation, abundance of flowers in the spring time and exuberant energies felt throughout the year. Winter though has another feel altogether. It has a quiet peacefulness with a majestic quality. Here are some pictures from a few weeks ago-during a period of an abundance of rain and snow.
As I walk up Fifth Avenue with the excitement of going to the conservatory gardens at 105th Street, I feel the trees surrounding me- yet at the same time making way as I continue down the street.

Here is one of my favorite statues of these free spirited dancing women- draped in layers of  cloth floating through their arms.

And a tree with amazing autumn leaves still holding tight to stay on.

Here's one of my favorite pictures of the vitality, peacefulness and motion of beautiful New York City!

And as we say goodbye to winter- I welcome the spring with its lightness of air, blooming exploding flowers, bright shining sun making everything shimmer -creating new canvases filled with wondrous sights to see!

Central Park's Endless Beauty Continues in It's Conservatory

Just steps off of Fifth Avenue and 104th Street in New York City, the most beautiful gardens can be found in an area called The Conservatory which is located in Central Park.

It's a wonderland all to itself- filled with beautiful statues,

lily pad filled ponds,

a fountain complete with a gorgeous rainbow,

trees,

bushes,

and formal gardens.

There's a also a beautiful man made lake

complete with ducks, swans, fish and a boathouse!

The only thing not included is a camera-

and as you can see- I brought one with me.

So glad you were able to come on this little tour of endless beauty!

Unparalleled Beauty

I recently had the opportunity to view the most breathtaking pictures of natural beauty- sometimes there are no applicable words to describe the sights we see, only thoughts and feelings and the emotions that they evoke.

These crystalline shining shapes are actually balls of hail which can be seen in the picture. They are the size of large marbles - almost incomprehensible as they were pouring down.

And as forceful as they pushed their way down, the sun appears, brilliantly glowing- and then setting in pure peace, without a memory of their presence to be found.

See the sights in front of you. But be reflective, because sometimes we travel at such a fast pace that so much of what we see is actually a blur.

Take the time to look- and taken in all that is really in front of you- for what's ahead may actually be found above.

Sometimes, our days may seem like we're just traveling in circles.

And other times, we feel like pinching ourselves because life just seems to be perfect -and it feels too good to be real.

Be available to try new things, explore, let your heart soar.

Sometimes, we need to just be. Feel the restful wholeness of peace by not moving, take a second to stay in one place, be in the moment, be alive in stillness.

Shine.

Discover- be surprised, feel the awe!

See the natural beauty all around- it can't get any better than this. Perfectly shaped grapes in harmony with each other, with shades of blue, a texture of velvet, and a taste of the sublime.

Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Let the light in- share your soul.

Let your spirit soar.

Where ever you look, there are hearts just waiting to be discovered.

Share yours today.

A Tree for All Seasons- A Surreal Arboreal Experience: An Insider's Glimpse of A Matriarch Tree's Life

Julie Prichard over at Land of Lost Luggage and JeriAnn are hosting a wonderful collaborative project on the life of a tree over the course of the seasons, titled Arboreal which you can learn more about here. We select a tree and photograph it three times- over the course of several seasons. Julie is interested to see both the changes to the selected trees and the environment that the trees live in. The approximate photographing dates are:

Week of August 23, 2009

Week of November 8, 2009 Week of April 4, 2010

With so many trees to pick from, I decided on one of my very favorites which is across the street from where I live. It's not a flowering tree or perfectly formed, it's not standing upright and true to form. But rather, it's very old, weathered and bent all the way over. Here's her run way shot.

And moving a little closer to her.

Her branches are so far outstretched that when I look at the picture, it almost seem as if it is the trunk and needs to be rotated upright.

The tree has the most wonderful layered, textured, multi toned bark, has injury sites, worn out limbs, and has seen the neighborhood change over what must be the most amazing lifespan.

Since the first time I saw this tree, I've called her "Grandma Willow". Although she's not a willow tree, my first glance of her reminded me of the tree in the story of Pocahontas- wise, all knowing, and one to be revered and honored throughout its life.

Even when you look up to her, you never quite see her crown!

It's roots must be far underground since they are nowhere to be seen. It's as if she just magically sprout up from the earth.

This tree bends over backwards to hold her own, and makes no joke that she is the matriarch of the neighborhood. This beautiful tree is not moving for anyone or anything. Although the one way and yield sign are standing strong, this tree is not obliging or moving aside. As a result, you might be able to see that the sign has actually now found it's way into the tree's branch.

Cobwebs have settled into her crevices- finding comfort, security and shelter within her.

She has joints where ever you look.

When the autumn comes and she must shed her clothes, I'll show you the strength and backbone that she truly carries! Right now, she dons a beautiful rich green ivy which encircles her body-reaching up across her spine.

She bears her own beautiful leaves- large strong and shining for all to see. They carry a single point, almost to make a point.

Here, Grandma Willow has put on her party clothes, ready for her last hurrah of the season. She promises to be back in the Fall!