Brooklyn Bridge Park
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December Color
Baldcypress, Taxodium distichum, at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Pop Quiz: The “baldy cypress” is common in its native swamp habitat in the southeastern U.S., and rather less common as a street tree here in NYC. But why, since our streets are only metaphorically swampy — usually — should this species do well here at all? If…
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Downy parachute
This is the seed of a milkweed, several different species of which are found in Brooklyn Bridge Park. According to this site, it’s a parachute seed, one of seven different wind-dispersal types.A framed version that I found down the block. Looks homemade, using the same techniques my old stained glass artist of a roommate used.…
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Autumnal Details
Autumn lingers…. I keep expecting to be greeted by an embrowned world when I venture outside.
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Sumac Light
Standing under or near certain trees this time of year bathes you in the color of their leaves. They make the space around them glow. I think of Honey Locusts, with their hundreds of thousands of tiny yellow leaflets mellowing the air, and Sumacs, with this brilliant red magic-hour light all day long (as long…
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Milkweed Party
A larval Large Milkweed Bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, on its eponymous food source in Brooklyn Bridge Park.Two of the adults. The park has several species of milkweed, which hosts a number of interesting animals. Monarch butterflies (and their caterpillars) are the most famous milkweed fans, but they have flown south for the winter. These milkweed bugs,…
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In Brooklyn Bridge Park
A couple of monarchs, a sulphur, and one cabbage white. One last dragonfly, too. The sunlight shining through the compostable logo. Included here because, while drinking this beer, a bird zoomed right overhead, and — what a geek, and proud of it — I stood up and said “falcon!” A kestrel heading towards the Brooklyn…
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Barge Music
Ten Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) perching on the hull of Bargemusic at Fulton Ferry Landing on a recent morning. The swallows patrol Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Promenade above for insects caught in mid-air. They should be heading south in about a month or two.
Backyard and Beyond 