Tuesday, September 8, 2009

A Walk in Central Park, Part 3

I was wondering if you were getting tired of my walk in Central Park this past weekend, but after reading so many of the comments I’ve received, I’ve decided that you’re not.

For years, the only things I had seen of New York City were on TV shows and movies, but to see it in real life is quite different. If you’re interested in reading parts 1 and 2, please see the posts below. As I said before, I travelled to the city last Saturday to meet my blogging friend, Daryl and then my son joined us for lunch. It’s always good to see my sons and the eldest one lives Downtown.

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I left off at the steps yesterday . . . the steps that lead up under the Pergola at the West end of the Italian Garden, a very nice respite from the sun, which was beginning to grow warm.

I love how the city peeks through, don’t you?

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Here we are looking out from under the Pergola, towards the south.

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Few visitors know this, but on the walkway here under the Pergola, there are medallions inscribed with the thirteen original states.

I didn’t know this until I returned home and read about it or I would have taken photos of them.

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If you look just to the left of the top of the fountain, you can almost see the Vanderbilt Gate where we entered this section of the park.

After strolling under the shade of the Pergola, we headed down the stairs and into the English Garden. The first thing we came to was an absolutely lovely water lily pond with a beautiful fountain at one end. The chirping of the birds who were taking a bath in the fountain’s bowl were all we could hear in this quiet little hamlet.

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How can I describe the peace that I felt upon entering this place? I don’t think my words would do it justice. At the right side was a young couple, and the woman was wheelchair-bound. I almost felt as if I was intruding on their quiet moment, but it’s everyone’s park and I quietly began to take photos of the beautiful bronze fountain.

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This is the Burnett Memorial Fountain, donated to the park in 1936 by the Friends of Frances Hodgson Burnett, who was the author of The Secret Garden (1909) and Little Lord Fauntleroy (1906).  The Friends wanted to pay tribute to the author with a storytelling area in the newly designed Central Park. It is believed that the young girl holding the water bowl and the young boy playing the fife are the main characters from The Secret Garden, Mary and Dickon.

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The bowl is a functioning birdbath. And as I stood there, quietly taking pictures and trying not to scare the birds away,  a gentle breeze picked up. Suddenly, I felt a happiness that comes from being somewhere so beautiful, you feel as if your heart could burst. I’m sorry to be sounding so romantic about it all, but it was such a peaceful place under this tree and I could see why the young couple had chosen it as a spot to sit and stay for awhile.

If you ever travel to the City, and you find yourself near the area of the Conservatory Garden in Central Park, you must come to this place.

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This is not a good photo because of the contrasty bits of white at the tips of the flower, but I didn’t want to leave it out because I liked the bokeh behind it.

(Bokeh describes the rendition of out-of-focus points of light).

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This concludes Part 3 of my walk in the park. The final part is coming tomorrow, and then I’ll keep mum on the subject for now. I will tell you though, that the hydrangea above has an action on it that I love, although I don’t use very often. I acquired it at Coffee Shop Photography and it’s called Golden Vintage [link]

I’ve also attempted to do another collage and I’ve posted it on my Picture A Day blog.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

A note to my sister, Char. I love you and I love my family, too. I’m sorry I didn’t come yesterday to Pete’s house. Maybe there is something wrong with me. But it doesn’t mean I don’t love you all. It just means I wanted to be alone.

25 comments:

Michelle said...

I love the pictures of the fountain. Especially where the birds are on the girl's head. Beautiful.

Meg McCormick said...

Anytime a city pokes through nature, I'm enthralled. I love that hydrangea photo!!

Maria said...

yes indeed it's a beautiful place

emily said...

We all understand. You've got a lot going on right now. We were thinking about you. There was way too much food, Dave had gas, Peter and Stephen took their shirts off and played horseshoes, Char laughed so hard she did that emotional crying thing. Pretty standard stuff. Your NYC daytrip sounds peaceful and just what the doctor ordered. Love you!

abb said...

Your soul runs deep, my friend, very very deep.

Well, at least you avoided the gas issue and shirt nekkidness! ;-)

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

I so enjoyed all of your pictures of Central Park...I've only seen it through what tv shows could show me...so what a treat getting to see more of it through your eyes! That's my favorite thing about blogging, is that it takes me to see other areas. It's beautiful...thanks so much for sharing!

Unknown said...

You and I both seem to love the appeal of a magical place...stunning work. Hydrangea's smell like a little bit of heaven, I believe.

Betty said...

I am not tired of your "Walk in Central Park" it is so lovely I too like the fountain with the birds on the girl's head. Looking forward to tomorrows walk

cottage farm villa said...

K a t e ~ the little birds all stuffed in the bird bath is one of the sweetest things I have ever seen! I can imagine the breeze and the feeling that came over you!!!!! How beautiful ~ the photo and your heart. ~C

Donalyn said...

this working for a living is absolute crap - I keep getting behind on m favorite blogs. Love all the post about Central Park - it is a magic place :)

Jeanne Walker said...

Now, my new favorite thing is fountains! This one is as beautiful as the Dancing Maidens. Thank you so much for allowing us to accompany you on this trip and for being able to see the beauty of Central Park through your eyes! Hope there's a Part 4! When and where is lunch?
This week is going to be great! Jeanne

Char said...

gorgeous shots - did you go crazy taking pictures of the water lilies too? I love them. And I would love that fountain as The Secret Garden is one of my favorite books.

Jo said...

I spent a few days in Central Park on August a few years ago too. It is indeed one of the most beautiful parks in the world.

Last year my daughter and her husband took their children to Central Park, and they fell in love with it too.

Thank you for the memories.

becky up the hill said...

I througly enjoyed the walk through the park. I have never been there and this has been a joy! I think my favorite was the Burnett Memorial Fountain. Thanks so very much.

Mary said...

Oh, this is so beautiful, Kate!

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Gorgeous spot. I can see why you would love that area around the fountain so much. I can't wait to go there one day.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, a lily pad pond? Were there froggies??

Snappy Di

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

This was wonderful.
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Flea said...

I love that you share these photos and stories! The peaceful atmosphere has me craving a trip to the city. Mmm. And I'm jealous that you met with Daryl!

Anonymous said...

I have never been to Central Park or NEW YORK.. Thanks for the beautiful tour!
terry from KC, MO

Dagmar said...

Oh my I never saw this side of Central Park. Yes just as you said, I also have only see NY in series on tv. I'm amazed. You've captured it perfectly.

Anonymous said...

I am enjoying your tour of the park for several reasons. I know I will never travel and go to New York so this is a beautiful pictorial. Also I have always thought of Central Park in New York as full of crime and it was a place that nobody would ever go alone in case they got mugged or worse. This shows me that there is a lot of beauty there and peace in some areas. (I still would be hesitant in walking there.)It goes to show that you can find peace and traquill moments in the midst of chaos and confusion.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

These photos look so magical and like a secret garden! I am so amazed that this is all in a great big city!

GailO said...

...Mr O has taken me to Central Park many times...but never to this fountain!...I shall have to reprimand him and get him to make amends next time:)

Beautiful photos!...I love that fountain!

Unknown said...

Just lovely!