This last weekend, I was in New York City for a brief visit and spent a fair amount of time in Central Park, at least the area around the Bethesda Terrace. The picture I posted last Sunday of the Bethesda Fountain was only one (although my favorite) of the several I took while there. Here are a few more.
The Terrace’s quietest moments are in the early morning on weekends. This image, taken on Saturday morning from an overlook balcony shows that dog owners are among the first to arrive with their canine companions. The nearby roads are already bustling with bikers and runners.
The Terrace borders the Lake and is the second largest body of water in Central Park. The image above, taken at sunrise, was taken from the pathway leading away from Bethesda Terrace towards Central Park West. The twin towers are the San Remo co-op apartments, originally built in 1930.
The famous Bow Bridge is nearby, leading into the Ramble, which was described by Frederick Law Olmstead, the park’s designer, as a “36-acre wild garden.” It is a rolling forest of trees, plantings, and wildlife. Once there, it is easy to forget one is in the center of New York City. Because of the park’s location along the Atlantic flyway migration route, the Ramble is the center of birding activity in the Park. The image above, taken in mid-morning, is the view as one emerges from the Ramble to cross the Bow Bridge and head back toward the Bethesda Terrace. As I crossed the bridge a few minutes later, a young man was kneeling before his companion, asking her to marry him.
The nearby Loeb Boathouse has boats available for rent and, on warm afternoons, rowing a boat about The Lake is a popular activity. One can also rent a piloted gondola for $30 per half hour (above). The area around Bethesda Terrace almost always has several commercial photo shoots underway but the photographer in the boat has found a way to escape the competition for a prime spot.
In the late afternoon, I spotted a “Balloon Man” whose shimmering creations were delighting a trio of youngsters who had wandered away from a wedding party photo session. This image was taken from the same balcony as the panorama image of the Terrace and Fountain above. The balcony is immediately above a pedestrian pass-through that is illuminated at night (below). The glowing gold of the ornate ceiling attracts photographers like a flame lures moths. This image was taken while navigating two fashion shoots and a skillful itinerant musician playing a guitar and singing romantic tunes.
The Loeb Boat House not only rents boats, but also has a restaurant with some prime views. By this time the image below was taken, the boat rental facility had closed, but the dinner hour was in full swing. There is also a café that has a passable breakfast for under $7.00 starting at 8 AM.
Finally, it was time to leave but as I walked back toward Central Park West, I was struck by the ethereal quality of the Bow Bridge as its white masonry took on a luminous quality in the evening twilight.
Great post Robin! Very useful as well for anyone that wants to visit the area. What bums me out is that I was there on Sunday too! Who knows, we could have walked right by each other. Next time you’re in NYC give me a shout. If you’re game we could shoot together somewhere fun. 🙂
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Hi, Susan: Thanks for the comments and that is quite a coincidence! And thanks for the offer. I will definitely give you a shout the next time I come up there. Same goes for the DC area, if you visit here.
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I may be there soon. My sister lives there.
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OK, cool! If so, shoot an email to me via my website (www.photographybykent.com) using the Contact Me link, especially if there is a location you are interested in.
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Oh, Robin, your photos of Central Park are exquisite. They mean more to me because I was just there 2 weeks ago although I didn’t get to see as much as you did ! You have so much talent ! Thank you so much.
Annette
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Thanks, Annette. That is very kind of you. I’m pleased that you like the images.
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gorgeous, stunning images!! Thanks for the information about the park as well.
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Thanks so much. I’m glad you liked the background information also.
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Beautiful, each and every one, Robin! But if I HAD to pick my favorite, it would be of the bubbles and the children. Wonderful POV – I’ve only ever saw this subject photographed from head-on. The birds-eye view adds so much. What a great day you had!
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Thanks, Stacy. Yes, the children and the Bubble Man were great fun to watch. There is always something interesting going on in the vicinity of that fountain–often several things.
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lovely images Robin, I love visiting Central Park when I get a chance to visit NYC, your images bring back wonderful memories.
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Thanks, Janice. It’s an amazing place, that’s for sure. I’ve been there many times but still have much more to explore there.
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