Photo Heart Connection June

This month my Photo Heart Connection comes from our recent trip to New York where one of the highlights of our stay was a Sunday morning walk along the High Line, the old elevated railway in Manhattan that has been turned into a beautiful park and public space. I will get to my photo heart connection photo in a little while as it comes at the end of our walk, but first I would like to give you a feel for the High Line.

I was particularly impressed by the landscaping and planting

and the juxtaposition of nature and industry

There was the odd view of an iconic building in the distance

some sculpture

people having lunch

or having their wedding photos taken

and pleasing views at different points

But the moment that really made my soul sing was when I spotted this beautiful butterfly right in the middle of Manhattan

It was particularly exciting as we don't get butterflies this big in England, the recent pictures I took of butterflies like this were in the zoo!

It felt such a special thing to happen on the last full day of our visit to NYC, and it even hung around for ages so that I could take lots of pictures

Thanks to Kat Sloma for starting the Photo Heart Connection - do pop over and check out this months posts

New York - The Enchanted Forest

“Enter these enchanted woods you who dare”

— George Meredith

The forest can be approached by land, sea or air, of these sea is probably the most dramatic. The first person you meet is the guardian of the forest and all it stands for,

Then you see the edges of the forest itself, showing the different colours of the tree trunks.

From the forest floor you can look up into the tall trees or view them through the enchanted mirrors

and at night they twinkle with fairy lights.

It's possible to climb one or two of the taller trees - if you dare, (those high speed lifts are really quite scary) and look down onto the forest.

some trees stand out more than others!

The view from the top is even more enchanting at night

In every direction,

whether you are looking at the treetops or the forest floor, busy with activity from the yellow ants and other creatures

As in every forest there are some special trees

They came to maturity at different times

This one was the 'Major Oak' for a long time

and the youngest of these significant trees bears a very important message: that of rebirth and hope.

Well that's enough adventures for today - see you next time

“But, of course, it isn’t really Good-bye, because the Forest will always be there... and anybody who is friendly with Bears can find it. ”

— AA Milne

Strawberry Fields Forever - a Tale of Central Park

“Let me take you down
’Cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever”

— John Lennon

Just back from a great trip to New York, several posts worth here I think, but I'm going to start with a story of Central Park. Looking at the map I discovered there was an area named strawberry Fields with a memorial to John Lennon.

it was clearly a place of pilgrimage so we sat for a while and watched as people came and went.

There were people of all ages and nationalities, families, individuals, groups, all coming to pay their respects.

Then there was the music - all Beatles / Lennon songs of course

and the garland makers who worked diligently until they at finished their task,

Then sat and reflected together for a while,

before laying their garland carefully

and making the final adjustments

until it was perfect

“Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one”

— John Lennon