Stealing Ideas

I read in a photo newsletter that I subscribe to, that there is a photographer who did a whole series of photographs of trees, growing in unlikely places, or that looked like they were in a predicament.  I immediately loved the idea of that and thought it would be a good project.  It's funny how an idea can change your brain and your sensibilities. The next day I was in the city, and I spotted this tree.  I might not have seen this if I didn't have trees on my mind.  It also helped that there was snow on the branches.  I think I will look for more trees, and also make a collection of them as the project continues.

Snow Day in the City

It was snowing a bit today, so I decided to go to the city and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art because there were a couple of shows that I wanted to see.  My usual route is to take the subway to 59th street and then walk the mile and a quarter up to 82nd street, and the Museum.  The thing I love about getting there this way is my walk up Fifth avenue.  I always find so many opportunities for photographs on this walk.  Today was not a disappointment as you can see from this photograph.

Anthurium

This photograph looks like Christmas itself!  I know you are semi-impressed that I was able to come up with the name of this plant.  I read the tag.  But that answer is way to simplistic.  There were a number of these plants in the greenhouse, but none of them had tags on them.  Finally I found a tag that described the plants, and I was all set.  It almost looks as if I am smart...   :-)  This is just for your viewing pleasure.

In the Greenhouse

I found so many interesting photographs at Planting Fields Arboretum the other day, that I just have to post some more.  And there will be more posts after this.  I couldn't find the plastic tag with the name of this plant on it.  I did speak to one of the people in the greenhouse, and he said all that he knew was that it was a member of the palm tree family.  That's good enough for me - I am more interested in the image itself, than the data.  And this image is all about the design of it - all the lines going off at different angles.

The New Year's Day Walk

It was such a beautiful day on New Year's Day that we all decided to go for a walk.  We hadn't gone a quarter of a mile before I was ordering everyone where to walk.  "Oh, quick, can you all cross over to the other side of the street, please?"  That was because I wanted to have them walking in the sunlight so that I could get these great shadows.  It is not easy walking with me, when I have a camera!   :-)

Planting Fields

Today we went to to Planting Fields Arboretum.  During the Christmas season, they have a beautiful display in the greenhouse and Poinsettias are a major part of the exhibit.  I walked around looking at all the different colors of these plants, from those that were nearly white, to this stunning variegated version.  This one is called "Ice Punch" and it is just beautiful in person.  There is a strange pink color to the lighter parts of the leaf, but that is not the true color.  Our eyes see colors differently from what the sensor in the camera sees, and this is one of these examples.  It's still really pretty, though.

The New Year's Day Swim

                                             

Another New Year's Day tradition in Sea Cliff.  I don't know if it is called a "Polar Bear Swim" or not, but it has been going on for a long time.  You will be surprised to know that I have no interest whatsoever in taking part in this.  I think about 10 people took the plunge.  Brrrrr...  But the coolest thing was that two women took part, and one of them won my fashion award for the day.  Not only was she wearing a hot pink bathing suit, but she had on long formal pink gloves!  Here she is posing for a photograph with her friend.