A Return to Green-Wood Cemetery, Spring
APRIL 12, 2024
It's been a while since I went out with my camera. On Monday, April 8th, I planned to view the total eclipse at Green-Wood Cemetery, which was having various events in honor of the cosmic spectacle. I didn't have a solar filter for my camera so I didn't photograph the eclipse, but afterwards, I wandered around to see the spring blooms and to look for birds.
Sylvan Water
Sylvan Water is a natural pond, and is one of four at Green-Wood. It's my favorite place because the surrounding mausoleums are gorgeous, often reflecting on the water. Sylvan Water is also a great place to bird, so I always make it a point to spend time at the pond.
The Michel mausoleum is a striking, lovely resting place. I suppose I like it for the same reason most people do - the two bronze dogs flanking each side of the stairs. Michel was a Brooklyn brewer who founded Leonhard Michel Brewing Co, whose business closed because of Prohibition. Visitors of the museum leave sticks for the dogs.
Killdeer
I had just packed up my gear after photographing the Michel mausoleum when I noticed a small bird fly into the water. When the bird landed, I heard the unmistakable trill that's the call of a killdeer. This would be my first of the year, so I hurriedly unpacked my camera and went to take some photos. The bird flew to the other side of the water by the time I was ready, but I quickly got to the other side and managed to get some shots. There were about 3 killdeer on the rocks.
Louisiana Waterthrush
Had the killdeer not flown to the other side, I would never have spotted my first of year Louisiana Waterthrush. I didn't notice the bird at all until I was trying to focus on one of the killdeer, and realized what I was looking at was not a killdeer at all. I took some shots and looked down to check the exposure. When I looked back to take some more photos, the bird was gone!
Chipping Sparrows
These red-capped cuties are all over the city currently, and it was a delight to see them around the graves and grass.
Magnolias
Since I started photographing flowers I've fallen in love with magnolias. Green-Wood is full of magnolia trees, and I learned that they are all saucer magnolias. The magnolias by Sylvan Water are irresistible to photograph!
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John Matthews (1808 - 1870)
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