Despite it’s ultimate urban reputation, New York City has plenty of opportunities for the would-be naturalist to enjoy the outdoors and everything that comes with it. New York’s vast park system is the envy of similar sized cities around the world, and while Central Park is obviously the most famous but it’s hardly the biggest. That distinction goes to Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx with nearly 3,000 acres designated as “forever wild” not inconsequential in a city where the pressure to develop is unyielding.
That said, the number of NYC nature blogs and bloggers is substantial, enough so that I was able to add to the rolls from last time. There are certainly some great nature bloggers to go with the unexpected nature of the Big Apple.
Central Park, the most famous greenspace in the city; photo from wikipedia
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- Quite possibly the finest NYC bird photographer in the nature blogosphere, Andrew of Birding Dude needs no introduction to those who dabble in the twitter. And as one who’s met him, I feel as though I can testify that the gregarious nature he displays online is a a perfect approximation of his real-life persona.
- If art is your thing, and the right art is anybody’s thing, you’ll no doubt have your jaw good and dropped by Catherine Hamilton’s bird work, which she so generously shares on her blog, birdspot.
- Now I’m not sure if Benjamin from Warblings is actually based in NYC proper, but I figure it’s close enough since he’s involved in the NY Young Birder’s Club. The number of blogs kept by young birders is, for me, one of the most exciting things about the nature blogosphere. Anyway, go check him out.
-So much of nature watching occurs when we’re doing other things, and the fact that it dovetails so nicely into regular life is part of what makes nature, and by extension, writing about nature, so captivating. Out walking the dog captures this intersection nicely.
- Long Island, where Soundbounder is based, has historically been where New Yorkers get their nature, and while it might not technically be part of the city, the importance of Long Island Sound cannot be understated.
- Starting with the Red-tailed Hawk known as Pale Male, New Yorkers have come to really appreciate the wildlife within the city limits in recent years. Urban Hawks keeps tabs on the raptors obviously, but everything else too.
- Can I mention 10,000 Birds? The bird blog to end all bird blogs has a member currently based in NYC, and another with close ties. I’d say more, but if you don’t know 10k Birds, then you don’t know nature blogging.
- Last but absolutely not least, one of my very favorite nature blogs, Great Auk – or Greatest Auk? Carrie is, without doubt, one of the finest writers in the nature blogosphere and you really owe it to yourself to check her stuff out.
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When one pores over the NBN lists looking for New York City, one notes that the rest of the state has no shortage of great nature blogs as well. So as a olive branch to a state that’s probably really tired of getting overshadowed by that big city down the road, next week will be the Rest of New York.
So those of you from upstate, let me have it at naswick (AT) gmail (DOT) com if you’d like to be included next week.
Till next time!
3 Comments
Thanks for mentioning Out walking the dog. Nature in Manhattan has been full of surprises this year, what with rabies sweeping our extraordinarily dense raccoon population, visits from coyotes and Bald eagles, Red-tails and kestrels nesting all over the island and plenty of snow. We love Nature Blog Network. Thanks for keeping it humming!
Brooklyn is also in the house at Backyard and Beyond, proud member of the NBN. Today, I had my first belted kingfisher of the year in Green-Wood Cemetery, and, on the Board of Health finally re-legalized beekeeping in the city, I found a rare feral honey bee nest in an old oak.
Thanks for the blurb! And for the links to Soundbounder and Out walking the dog. I hadn’t seen those before.