Lomography

Winter at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
written by migueld on February 13th, 2009 , one comment (1 vote)

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After a snowstorm passed through New York City I couldn’t help but wonder what one of my favorite places looked like buried under white fluffy powder. Braving the cold, I wore three layers, grabbed my LC-A+ and my Diana+ Edelweiss (which felt right at home in the snow!), and went for one of my favorite excursions yet in the big city.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a wonderful place, not just in the springtime. In the winter, admission is free (who can beat that?), and so is the picture taking. There are so many things to see and do here, from exploring the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden, the first of its kind in an American public garden, to going nuts in the Steinhardt Conservatory, which is essentially five greenhouses linked together by an atrium and a gallery.

Built in 1910, the Garden now boasts over 10,000 different plant species, all collected to showcase the difference in seasons. Springtime sees an explosion of blooms from tulips to magnolias, while summer offers water lilies and foxgloves. Winter, however, brings to light all the greenhouse species, like suspended orchids, cacti, and flowering herbs.

They have a marvelous bonsai collection and even a rock garden for you to get lost in. Even in the winter, when it doesn’t seem as if there’s anything blooming, the Botanic Garden really can show you the wonders of nature. Orchids and bell flowers in full bloom blast your eyes with bright pinks and reds while a look outside the greenhouse window reveals nothing but white.

An added bonus to visiting the Botanic Garden in the wintertime? You’ll probably end up there by yourself, save for maybe a handful of people scattered around fifty-two acres. And if you wanted to warm up, they have excellent soup in the cafe.

No more than a half-hour subway ride from Midtown Manhattan, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a great place to relax. There’s nothing better than getting to hear yourself think, and here, you can hear Brooklyn breathe at the same time.