Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Photography on December 23 2011, by Ann Rafalko
And now that we have turned the corner on the shortest day of the year and are in the midst of the Festival of Lights, all seems a little brighter, too.
Bronx River and the Forest (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Though I’m no longer holding my breath for a white Christmas, I’m not bummed, because that just means more lunchtime walks in the Forest!
Posted in Photography on November 1 2011, by Ann Rafalko
Fall Foliage on Twin Lakes (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Around the Garden on October 28 2011, by Ann Rafalko
Join Debbie Becker on one of her weekly bird walks this Saturday, and you just might see more sweet little phoebes at the Garden.
Northern Phoebe on Twin Lakes (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Around the Garden, Exhibitions, Video on October 26 2011, by Rustin Dwyer
We’re still basking the freakish glow of superstar sculptor Ray Villafane’s (on the right in this photo) wild zombie sculpture he constructed at the Garden using two of the world’s largest pumpkins. But by no means are the creepy carvings over with! This weekend will feature the supremely talented artist Michael Natiello (under the zombie’s hand)–the brains behind the spectacular Great Jack ‘O Lantern Blaze as well as our Haunted Pumpkin Garden here in the Children’s Adventure Garden.
Weather permitting however, Villafane’s pumpkin creation will only be on display for as long at it stays presentable and also as long as we can keep the wily Bronx wildlife from having their own pumpkin feasts.
For those of you who couldn’t be here last weekend, we put together a short video of Ray in his own words describing his process. All the gory, gourdy goodness is below!
Posted in Photography on October 23 2011, by Ann Rafalko
A Touch of Red (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Around the Garden on October 21 2011, by Ann Rafalko
I got a nice surprise this morning when I stopped by the big pumpkins; I found Brant and Elanor Bordsen, of Marysville, Calif. standing beside their beautiful, pearly pumpkin chatting with Garden visitors and staff. I told them I was surprised and excited to see them here (I had no idea they were coming!), and they said that they decided that they wanted to be here when Ray Villafane cut into their 1,693 pounder, to remove the seeds themselves, and to watch the progress of his sculpture. I asked them if they had seen the concept drawing for his sculpture yet. They said no, so I pulled it up on my BlackBerry and showed it to them. They agreed that it was certainly spooky and would be quite the spectacle!
Learn more about why the Bordsens flew all the way from California for pumpkin seeds below.
Posted in Around the Garden on October 21 2011, by Ann Rafalko
We’ve heard that people want to meet the pumpkins officially, so here they are! Introducing the four heaviest pumpkin the world, currently on display as part of the Haunted Pumpkin Garden.
[Not a valid template]Photos by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on October 19 2011, by Ann Rafalko
The world’s four biggest pumpkins are now all safely ensconced in the Bronx.
The first two to arrive flew in from California, and were fetched from the American Airlines cargo hold at JFK this morning.
Posted in Around the Garden on October 18 2011, by Ann Rafalko
They’re spooky and they’re ubiquitous, and they’re heading straight for the Bronx! That’s right, beginning this weekend, zombies will be invading the Haunted Pumpkin Garden, courtesy of pumpkin-carving provocateur Ray Villafane. Currently appearing on the Food Network’s “Halloween Wars,” Villafane will be calling the Garden home this weekend, where he’ll be carving two of the world’s biggest pumpkins into one unforgettable pumpkin sculpture.
Want to see what Ray has got planned? Head below the jump to check it. But be warned, it’s the stuff of pumpkin nightmares!
Posted in Photography on October 15 2011, by Ann Rafalko
A crisp in the air. Blue and gold days. Crunchy leaves. Fall.
In the Forest (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)