Weeping Willow

This is a close-up shot of a weeping willow blossom found around the Bow Lakes inside the Central Park recently. The tree has an interesting structure, unlike anything I've seen before. The truck grows up tall and strong but the branches all limp downwards like tentacles of an alien creature.

So what is the strangest tree or animal you have ever seen.

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?

Tulips on Park Avenue

There is no such thing as too many tulips in Spring. This photo was taken at the meridian between the uptown and downtown traffic on Park Avenue and 59th Street.

So are you ready for the summer to arrive?

Tulips at Central Park South

Spring flowers are blooming again. These tulips are planted around the square surrounding the Grand Army Plaza at Central Park South.

So how was your weekend?

Ranunculus Bloom

Here is a macro shot of a ranunculus bloom from one of the flower vendors at Union Square. Spring is finally here and there are rows and rows of flower vendors at the market now.

So do you have a favorite flower?

Spring is Blooming

I was at Central Park last weekend and flowers and trees were blooming everywhere. It's so refreshing to see colors again. It has been a long, cold winter for us in NYC.

So where would you go to see Spring flowers bloom?

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?

Spring is Here

We've been having Spring-like weather during the last week or so although it was very windy yesterday when I went out to take photos. I walked from the Meatpacking District (14th Street and 8th Avenue) to the Greenwich Village and then east to SoHo before heading north to Nolita. Then I went home.

I took this photo of the entry way to a townhouse on Horatio Street between Greenwich and Washington Street in the Meatpacking District. The flowers reminded me that Spring is here, or is it?

So has Spring (Autumn for those living in the southern hemisphere) arrived for you yet?

Chili Bouquet

I saw this interesting bouquet where dried chili peppers were used to add some colors to the yellow blooms. Since winter is here, there aren't many fresh flowers at the market any more.

So what is your favorite thing about the winter season?

Restaurant Flowers

This is a macro shot of a simple flower arrangement at a Thai restaurant on Court Street between 3rd and 4th Place in Brooklyn where I had dinner with a friend last week. The small pink bloom with yellow center is probably about 3/4 of an inch across.

My iPhone died on Monday night. Since I don't have a land line at home, I had to wait till I got to the office on Tuesday morning to call the 1-800 tech support hotline to for advice. Unfortunately, nothing can be done so I will have to make an appointment to visit one of the tech support guys at the Genius Bar inside the Apple Store.

It feels weird not to have a cell phone (or a telephone, in general) available even though I have no need to call anyone right now. My only access to the outside world now is the internet. Please, please, please....don't let my internet connection fail before I get my iPhone working again.

I feel soooo vulnerable. Have you ever felt so lost?

Echinaecia

Here is a macro shot of an echinaecia flower from the City Hall garden. Echinaecia (I don't know which part of the plant though) is frequently used/consumed as an alternative medicine to help the body to fight an infection.

When I first moved to NYC about10 years ago (August 1998), I was constantly sick from "absorbing" every one's germs in the subway train. A friend suggested I take a dietary supplement of echinaecia and golden seal root to boost my body's immunity to fight the NYC germs. I took his advice and it worked. Now, whenever I feel a little tired or a scratch throat coming, I start popping those supplements like candy.

So do you use alternative medicine?

Disclaimer: This blog DOES NOT promote the use of any product for medicinal purpose or make any medicinal claims.

Flower & Bench

I saw this interesting looking bench with flowers planted inside the side arms at Tribeca last week. Isn't this a clever idea? Although I think the bench needs a new piece of wood for the seat.

Also, notice the fire escape in the reflection on the windows? I think there is a restaurant on the first floor of the building across the street.

No questions today.

Flower Box

I saw this flower in front of a window of a church on Christopher Street in the Village. The basement window situation at floor level on the outside of the building but located high up near the ceiling from the inside of the building. This is fairly common in basement apartments to allow light exposure into the otherwise, windowless room.

So do you have a basement in your house/apartment?

Schillers on Rivington Street

This is Schiller's on Rivington Street in the Lower East Side. It is a really nice restaurant that has been around for many year and now, most of its clientelles are mostly young hipsters and tourists.

The reason I took this photo was the flower boxes on the 2nd floor windows of the building. It is quite rare to see something like this in NYC because most buildings have strict rules about what you can and cannot do with the windows, especially if they are condo or a co-op buildings. The rule was instituted to precent flower boxes from falling and hitting someone on the street. In addition, the buildings prefer all their windows to look the same.

So do you have similar rules where you live?

Purple Blooms

Does anyone know the name of these flowers? I think they are garlic blossoms but I'm not 100% certain. It is definitely a perfect flower for the vase because of the tall, thin stalk and gorgeous bloom on top.

So what are you doing for the long weekend (in the US)?

Flower Power

I saw this elaborate mural outside a Mexican restaurant in the Lower East Side a couple weeks ago. It looked like the artist put a lot of time and effort into it and it's quite lovely. Sometimes, I wish I can draw but unfortunately, I'm still struggling with stick figure drawings.

What skills or talent do you wish you have?

Yellow Blooms

I don't know what type of blooms these are but they have beautiful intense yellow flowers and soft green buds on them. There was a table full of them at the green market at Union Square yesterday. This is a macro shot of the blooms.

I would like to wish all mothers out there a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

Pink Dogwood

Last week, I posted a photo of a white and green flowering tree and you guys wrote in and told me it was dogwood. Thanks everyone!! Some of you even mentioned that there are pink ones. This past weekend, I saw a pink dogwood tree and took a photo of it.

It's amazing how much I have learned since I started the NYC photoblog. So what have you learned from your blogging experience?

Flowering Tree

I don't know the name of this flowering tree but it stands about 10 feet tall and is covered with these white palm sized blooms. It doesn't have any fragrance -- not that I could detect it. But I love the unusual green and white colors together.

Lately, I have been noticing (i.e. taking more than just a glance at) trees. I found that I love dwarf Japanese maples and fragrant peony shrubs. So do you have a favorite tree or plant?

Daffodils at Central Park

These daffodils are among dozens of fields of daffodils in Central Park right now since Spring has finally arrived. As you can see, the trees are still bald and slow to catch up. Hopefully, in the next month or so, the leaves will grow into the trees.

Some of my new photos have been added to New York Street Shots recently so please stop by and take a look at them. Other photographers have contributed to the site too and they are all super talented. Check out the list of photographers on there.