Purple & Yellow

This photo was taken at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) garden last weekend when the weather was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, it's been raining non-stop all week and I am running out of photos to post. If you click on the MoMA link above, you will see a patch of purple flowers on the lower half the photo, on the right of the water fountain. This is the close-up shot of that flower patch.

So what are you plans for the weekend?

Easter Lily

This is a macro shot of the stamen and stigma of an Easter Lily bloom from the Rockefeller Center. There are hundred of Easter Lilies lining the flower beds at the Promenade there.

So what do you plan to eat for dinner tonight? Lamb chops?

Carnivore

This is a carnivorous plant called Drosera or Sundew that I saw at the green market at Union Square last weekend. The tentacles at the edge of the leaves are super sensitive and can secrete enzymes to dissolve the preys that fall into their grasp.

So are you a carnivore or a vegetarian? What is your favorite meat product?

Ferns For Now

Everything I photographed lately has turned out . . . blah!! I have been lacking inspiration or been visiting the familiar haunts too frequently. I need to find a new place to visit instead of tSoHo, Little Italy, Union Square and East Village.

So here is something from the archives. It's ferns for now!

Green Leaves

I took this photo while looking up from under a tree. It was a very spontaneous and random shot and the photo came out very nicely. I love the colors and the textures of the leaves.

Do you have a spontaneous or random shot that came out better than you expect?

Dandelion

I have been playing a lot with the macro feature of my little digital camera lately. Every time I see something small or has lots of details, I switch the camera to the macro setting and start taking close up photos. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as it seems because the LCD screen on my camera is very small and it is difficult to see if the image is in focus or not. Many photos that appear in-focus on the LCD screen come out blurry on the laptop.

Here is a photo of a dandelion plant that has a pod filled with hundreds of feathery seeds. When the wind blows, these little seeds will float up and fly off to wherever the wind takes them. Dandelions are also very hardy plants because they can survive under very extreme conditions. Most gardeners consider it a weed and a nuisance.

Spring, Where Have You Been?

After a weekend of soaking rain and heavy wind that cause severe flooding and numerous train interruptions, I am ready for spring weather to arrive. I want to see sun shine and clear blue skies. I want to see flowers and green leaves. I want to see people jogging in the park.

These photos were taken one afternoon three weekends ago at the Green Market in Union Square. Hopefully, they will appease the Gods who will then grace us with beautiful spring weather for the rest of the season.

Which is flower or greenery is favorite?

Do You Know What This Is?

This photo was taken at the Patel Brothers, an Indian grocery store in Jackson Heights, Queens. The grocery store carries some of the most unique and interesting food items including this vegetable, which I have never seen before. I think I know what it is but I'm not 100% sure.

As you can see in the photo, each pod carries only one pea-looking seed. The pod is light and furry, green in color and is about the size of a small olive. Can you guess what it is?

Takashimaya Florist

Takashimaya is one of the most exclusive and expensive departmental stores in New York City. While researching the information for this post, I found out that Takashimaya does not have a US-based website. The only store site I could find in English was for Singapore Takashimaya.

Takashimaya is a large Kyoto-based retail store that has outlets all over Japan, as well as in Taipei, Paris, Singapore, and New York City. It was founded in 1829 by Iida Shinshichi. The store specializes in obscure designer brands for apparels, cosmetics, accessories, and home furnishings.

This photo was taken inside the store's floral department on the 1st floor of the building. Aside from floral arrangements, it also sells garden ornaments, decorative and utilitarian vases, tools, and books and cards with botanical themes.

Pussy Willow

Since New York City had its warmest winter last year, some plants are beginning to bloom earlier than expected.

This photo of a pussy willow tree was taken earlier this week when I was waiting for the bus to go home. Pussy willow (salix discolor) got its name from the soft furry buds that form on the naked branch during late winter. The silky texture and grey colors of the buds resemble cats' paws. In early spring, the buds bloom to produce medium size white and pink flowers.

Click to enlarge the photo and you can almost feel the furry buds. Meow!!