A snow-covered path in Fort Tryon Park. All photographs courtesy of the author
«After trudging to work through Fort Tryon Park in the morning after a heavy snowfall, the first thing I do is grab my camera and head straight to some of my favorite spots in The Cloisters museum and gardens. First, up to the top of the tower to look out over the park, the river, and the George Washington Bridge.»
View of the George Washington Bridge from The Cloisters
And down into the miniature winter wonderland of the Cuxa Cloister.
Looking down on to the Cuxa Cloister
The enclosed space of the Cuxa Cloister creates swirling winds that can pile the snow into strange, beautiful drift formations.
Strange snow formations in the courtyard of the Cuxa Cloister
The tile roofs around the cloister produce amazing icicles.
Icicles in the Cuxa Cloister
Snow-dusted icicles in the Cuxa Cloister
Downstairs and outside in the Bonnefont Cloister, the gardens' beds are buried and the quince trees seem to groan under the weight of the snow.
Snow-covered trees in the Bonnefont Cloister
But as the sun comes out, the trees spring up again and their gnarled branches cast shadows across the garden.
The trees cast shadows in the snow in the Bonnefont Cloister
Back upstairs, the pink marble of the Cuxa Cloister gives off a warm glow and the citrus plants lean into the sunlight.
Citrus plants inside the Cuxa Cloister lean toward the sunlight
The Cloisters is at its most beautiful and serene on these quiet mornings and I always encourage people to make the trip at this time of the year. But as for me, it's probably time to get back to work!