Prospect Park Pond

Plein air painting along the Prospect Park Lullwater in Brooklyn. This body of water is fed by the same source as New Yorkers' drinking water. It's an artificial water course, initially designed in the mid 1800's by architects Olmsted and Vaux. I find the artificial constructed aspect fascinating. Many folks view this area as "nature" yet it is inextricably tied together with our culture. The water is recently overrun with green algae, a byproduct of some type of phosphorous added to the city water system to mitigate the effects of lead pipes. The explosion of green algae is called "eutrophication" and can adversely effect the health of the water body.

The designers of the park utilized views to give an illusion of unending space. I spent the day here at the edge of the body of water under the cloud covered sky and observed, lost in the unfolding elements of nature in the city.