This morning I took the 4 train to Brooklyn to spend quite time in nature at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Much of the garden is restricted now due to the holiday light show, Lightscape, which I highly recommend seeing. But there is still so much to explore. Seedpods, cones, berries, Winterberry, Holly and conifers stand out against the light dusting of snow left over from Christmas eve. There are endless textures and shapes; curves, spirals and brown stems. I notice the earth tone colors with a pop of red from Winterberry and Holly and the various shades of green conifer needles. I could spend hours studying the early winter landscape and noticing how the plants and trees take on a new display of beauty. I don’t cover much distance when I walk with my camera. It gives me permission to slow down, observe and take in the canvas of nature. Birds perch in flocks eyelevel in the shrubs and high up in the trees. I see sparrows, starlings, a pair of cardinals and a mockingbird. Even in winter, botanical gardens are a wonderful escape from the asphalt streets and towering buildings.

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