I had been lost in the Ramble more than once before. The first time was when I was a young art student: a man walked past, quickly groped my breast, and disappeared. Unknown to me at that time, the Ramble was used for gay trysts. There was no danger of running into any of that today. It was full of leaf peepers and lovers, bird watchers and arborists. Much of it had been closed off due to snow damage from the freak storm just before Halloween. Caution tape was the yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree. And many others.
These massive trunks almost begged me to look up, not down at the straggling reminders of their vulnerability. And so I did.
"Do you happen to know anything about these trees?"I asked these gentlemen. They told me that the tupelo above is 150 years old and quite well-known in these circles. They informed me that the camouflaged trunk's name is London Plane, and that it is hardy against urban pollution. It was wonderful not to google this info, but just happen upon some native New Yorkers with a passion to share.
On my way out I serendipitously asked another man with binoculars just what he was looking at. I hit the jackpot as he turned out to be Ken Chaya who has mapped the 20,000 trees of Central Park. He generously shared some of his knowledge and enthusiasm, pointing out European lindens and sourwoods to me, as well as the nuthatch who was making his way down one.
My day's detour into the Ramble was just the kind of adventure I love stumbling into. Autumn in New York. There should be a song.
photos copyright Sharon Watts 2011
video courtesy youtube
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Comments
Now I know I MUST visit New York in the autumn, God willing. Breathtakingly stunning.
The last photo with the contrasting light suited man is a classic.
I now feel I know it as well as anybody, but if I stay away for several months, I manage to get lost myself on return. It is spectacular.
There is a special place near to the shore of the Boat Lake that has a nice climb up a babbling brook kind of thingy with huge boulders involved. I always climb there...and imagine it to be a climb up a mountain, even though it is only yards long.
Beautiful pix. Sorry to hear about the damage. Haven't been there since early spring. Hope to get there next week for a visit...and hope even more that I do not get lost!!!
Frank ~ Isn't it great to know you can get totally lost in the middle of nature in the middle of NYC? Thanks for visiting and enjoying :)
greenheron ~ love your analogy there!
BP ~ I knew it was a Van Morrison song :) Thanks for the info and visit!
Abrawang ~ Today is cloudy and chilly so I nailed the perfect day for a visit. But Central Park is always magical. You'll get there :)
Stim ~ that's part of the experience. But I think all lost marbles and loose nuts roll into it :)
Poppi ~ Thank you! I am not normally a nature-snapper, but they really had such personality :)
Joan ~ Especially when everyone around you is looking down texting. Thanks for visiting me on the stroll.
Whatta treat.
f.
Gary ~ I thought all of that you mentioned, but not until after I uploaded did it reveal itself. "great minds see alike...?" :)
bell ~ I am torn between snapping and just walking/enjoying. This time I managed both :)
frank ~ I will! thanks for the heads up!
Is that Leon Redbone or Tom Wolfe walking through the park in that last photo?
V.A. ~ I was caught off guard, forgetting how beautiful a park can be after living in more natural surroundings the last 10 years. (Well, granted, not just any park :) The guy was a young Hispanic, but as Gary mentioned--almost a Seurat-type, as I almost called the post "Wednesday in the Park with George." Thanks for catching up!
Such a cool thing that you didn't have to google but had real life humans tell you the info you needed. I loved this trip through the Ramble and the writing that was inspired by it. How I miss NY and your posts don't help ;>(
fernsy ~ what a sweet thing to say--guess all your favorites were fast and furious and pushed me off the loop! I don't send out notices when I post...just feel funny doing that. SO lousy at "PR." :) Thanks for catching up w/the stroll.