Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Matt Newman
Posted in Wildlife on June 6 2013, by Matt Newman
Sure, the first things you think of when hawks come to mind are probably hooked talons, beaks, and stealthy swoops on unsuspecting (and occasionally adorable) rodents. But beneath their noble profiles and well-earned heritage as the monarchs of the sky (sorry, butterflies), even our Red-tailed Hawks have moments of awkward indignation that border on the cute and fluffy. Bath time in particular—with all its flopping and splashing about—is usually cause for giggles. And lucky for us, this often takes place in the Fountain of Life just outside our offices in the Library Building.
Our resident hawk aficionado and Visitor Services Attendant, Pat Gonzalez, happened to be outside filming one of the local hawks as it fed, dodged resentful bluejays, and washed off the day’s exertions. I’ve bumped the video forward to the most comical bit, but you can catch the rest by dragging the cursor to the beginning.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on June 6 2013, by Matt Newman
We’re covering Thoreau’s seasons at a lightning pace.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Programs and Events on June 3 2013, by Matt Newman
Don’t mourn spring for too long! Even if those idyllic daytime temperatures came and went like an afterthought, what follows is that much better: summer, and all the delectable eats that tank-tops-and-flip-flops weather brings along with it. Spring’s fruit and vegetable plantings are teetering on the edge of the first harvest (I know, where did the time go?) in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, and naturally that can only point to cookouts in our future. But we’re not about to settle for half measures when it comes to the tastes of the warmer months. With Mario Batali back in our corner for another round of edible outdoor adventures, how could we?
This year’s Edible Academy Family Picnic brings the maestro of all things culinary back to The New York Botanical Garden for an exclusive evening dining experience, complete with a seasonal cooking demonstration from the chef himself. That’s in addition to hands-on vegetable harvests in the Family Garden, tutorials for hopeful greenthumbs, tree climbing, and more than enough crafts and family activities to keep even the most tireless toddler happily occupied. It all begins at 4 p.m. on June 10, kicking off with a delicious picnic supper designed by Mario himself and enjoyed on the flowering Garden grounds. Afterwards, dig into the fun taking place in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden before joining Mario at 5:30 p.m. for a book signing, followed by his gourmet cooking demonstration alongside Daphne Oz, Mario’s co-host on ABC’s The Chew.
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Posted in Learning Experiences on May 24 2013, by Matt Newman
Notice an arborist with a little extra spring in her step? It’s not surprising. Against all odds, the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) was finally ousted from Manhattan and Staten Island after a near 20-year reign; even New Jersey is claiming victory, putting us on the road to ALB eradication. But even if this loathsome pest is on the outs in the northeast, we’re not out of the woods—figuratively or literally—with the nagging issue of its accomplice, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). These invasive bugs don’t mop up their own infestations, much as we’d love it if they did—it takes awareness and action on everyone’s part to save our trees. And I’m talking about millions of trees in the end game.
Since it was first discovered in New York in 2009, the invasive Emerald Ash Borer has killed tens of millions of ash trees, and its appetite is indiscriminate when it comes to variety. That leaves every last one of New York’s hundreds of millions of ash trees at risk—trees that not only define our landscape, but support American industry. And though good fences do make for good neighbors, these six-legged invaders aren’t partial to friendly truisms; it’s up to everyone to cooperate in looking out for New York’s flora at large.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on May 23 2013, by Matt Newman
On this day in 1988, Ivo Vermeulen made his first appearance in the U.S.—25 years later, he’s still clicking away behind the lens. Appropriately, most of that time has been spent wearing orange pants.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on May 16 2013, by Matt Newman
We’ll miss the cherry bloom now that it’s passed, though the pink petal carpets dotting the Garden are riotous reminders. Meanwhile, the Azalea Garden is in peak bloom and we’re checking our watches over the roses as they mull the idea of waking up. The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden usually hits peak in the early days of June, but Peter Kukielski assures us the color explosion is just around the corner. Of course, we don’t leave gaps; not far from the Rose Garden, opposite the mad-monikered tree peonies, lilac blossoms by the thousands fan that quintessential spring perfume.
We had someone ask us on Tumblr the other day if they’d already missed out on this year’s lilac bloom, so I puzzled together a few shots of the collection taken over the past week to put anxious hearts at ease. That said, no, these white and purple puffs are still very much en vogue and smelling delicious.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on May 15 2013, by Matt Newman
Never send to know for whom the duck quacks; he quacks for thee.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on May 10 2013, by Matt Newman
Last week, Joel Kroin returned to the NYBG just in time for the opening of the Native Plant Garden. Naturally, he had his pinhole camera with him. Because of the nature of pinhole photography—the length of exposure and the time it takes to create an image—moving things often “ghost” in the final result. Of course, Joel assures us these are real ghosts and he’s just a recording medium for their presence, so we’re going to let the images speak for themselves here.
For your peace of mind, no, we don’t have the Ghostbusters on retainer.
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Photos by Joel Kroin
Posted in Exhibitions on May 9 2013, by Matt Newman
If our current exhibition isn’t evidence enough, we’re a little sculpture crazy. From inspirational maquettes to full-sized foundry monoliths, exploring and expounding on the efforts of great artists are just two of the things we can’t help but indulge in. And now, with Wild Medicine: Healing Plants Around the World rounding the bend for its May 18 opening, I think the time is about right to introduce the work of our latest visiting sculptor: Philip Haas.
From the beginning of the style in 16th-century Italy to Haas’ modern-day interpretations, the edible motif of Four Seasons has certainly established its historic foundations. But in three dimensions, these 15-foot-tall statues break from the tradition of Giuseppe Arcimboldo‘s original paintings to provide an entirely novel experience.
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Posted in Around the Garden on May 8 2013, by Matt Newman
The tree cookie is back! Though you’d be forgiven for having no idea what I’m talking about. As a matter of fact, very few of us around the office have seen this section of sequoia up close and personal—at least until now. But with the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden rolling out this classic display after such a long absence, I figure it makes sense to reintroduce everyone.
The history is the simple bit. We start with a brief definition: Tree Cookie — noun — A horizontal round cut from a tree trunk. It’s the cross-section that allows arborists and botanists to pin down the exact age of a tree by counting off the concentric rings in the wood. It also provides clues to the life of the tree based on the density of the rings, anomalies in shapes and patterns within the wood, and other unique signifiers pointing to a healthy or harried history. For reference, we’ve got over 1,600 rings worth of trunk data to parse in this one tree cookie alone. That places the tree’s start at around the year 223!
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Sure, the first things you think of when hawks come to mind are probably hooked talons, beaks, and stealthy swoops on unsuspecting (and occasionally adorable) rodents. But beneath their noble profiles and well-earned heritage as the monarchs of the sky (sorry, butterflies), even our Red-tailed Hawks have moments of awkward indignation that border on the cute and fluffy. Bath time in particular—with all its flopping and splashing about—is usually cause for giggles. And lucky for us, this often takes place in the Fountain of Life just outside our offices in the Library Building.
