Spring In The ‘Hood -- Part 2

Once the fluffy white trees kick things off, the rest of the spring flowers come in a great rush. 

We have magnolias,

cherry trees,

daffodils,

 and tulips. 

Lots of tulips. 

Including the ones we planted in our tree pits this year!   

While the brownstones are easy to enjoy,

the terraces offer only tantalizing glimpses of their hidden beauties. 

But, of course it’s the flower boxes that offer the best chance to get close-up and personal with nature's yearly celebration.

Happy Spring!!!

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

Spring in the ‘Hood

The Upper East Side of Manhattan is beautiful all year round, but never more so than in the spring. 

Around mid-March, when I think I can’t take one more day of cold weather I go on “Bud Watch.” 

That basically amounts to walking down different blocks in the neighborhood while I go about my daily errands, looking for signs of spring. 

I always breathe a sigh of relief when the first tree buds make their appearance. 

But it isn't really official until we have fluffy white trees. 

These are actually apple trees, although I have never seen them bear fruit. 

 But every spring they put on quite a show. 

They don’t bloom for long, maybe a week tops, and it’s often rainy so it’s not always easy to capture their majesty. 

But once you see them you know for sure that warmer weather is on the way. 

This beautiful specimen is across the street from my apartment.  And, I mark the seasons by it.

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

14th Street Fire: 4/13/13

When I went to 14^th Street to the Farmer’s Market in Union Square yesterday, I was planning on taking photos of the produce, plants and shoppers. 

But, by the time I arrived the sun was gone. 

Bummer. 

As luck would have it though, another opportunity presented itself in the form of a fire.  

I heard the sirens of the fire trucks arriving as I walked to the north end of the square.  

According to the tourists that I walked past there had been a big bang several minutes before. 

As we all speculated as to which building was on fire I rounded the corner to see that it was actually a garbage truck that was burning. 

I didn’t see the flames, but there was certainly a fair amount of smoke. 

And we all got to watch the firemen with their hoses doing their thing. 

Needless to say, everyone pulled out their cameras to share the moment.  (The guy in yellow is the truck driver.)

Just another day in NYC!

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

Yellow Magnolias

While I like all kinds of magnolias,

the yellow ones are my favorites. 

They have this beautiful buttery color and look incredibly soft

 – which of course they are. 

 I haven’t seen any yellow magnolias in Manhattan. 

 But there are two trees in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

that are absolutely gorgeous. 

Since one is in a shadier location than the other,

I can usually manage to get the timing right to photograph at least one of them each spring. 

Hopefully I will again this year.

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer