The Last Hurrah

Today’s Post by Mildred Alpern

Summer garden blooms

Now in senescent throe

Sigh their last hurrah

Photo opportunities are to be found where you may least expect them. With the approach of winter, visitors tend to ignore the hidden gems in the famous 91st Street Garden on the promenade level of Riverside Park in New York City.

In spring and summer, passersby gaze in rapture at the blooms. But in December, the garden appears a jumbled mass of tangled grasses and dried stalks. Yet a pause and a close-up look reveal some surprises. Just as showy, but oftentimes minute in size, many of the plants and flowers, even in their final senescence, display remarkable beauty.

Every season here has its marvels, thanks to the volunteer Garden People. With a macro lens, and a willingness to crouch down, it is easy to record these floral jewels before they are blanketed under snow and ice.

All photos were shot with an Olympus E-M5 Mark II and the Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 prime lens in Shutter Priority mode at ISO 400: The garden tangle with an exposure of 1/200 sec at f/6.3, -1/3EV; the floral tassels with an exposure of 1/200 sec at f/2.8, -1/3EV; and the single bloom with an exposure of 1/200 at f/3.2.

Mildred’s book Haiku and Images is available on Amazon and is filled wit h beautifully reproduced color photographs along with original haiku underneath, embellishing the image and deepening its meaning. Pick up a copy to give as gift for yourself or a friend.