This mighty forest, one of the city's 51 Forever Wild Nature Preserves, seems to be enjoying the advance of spring. Through the trees, over to the right, you might just be able to make out the wetlands of Rattlesnake Creek.

How the park got its name

You can see the former landowners left their mark on the tree, like a reverse Zorro.

is one less hour spent winning trophies.

Unless, of course, you win a trophy for best dojo-fixing-up.

on "Bissel Avenue". That stone wall marks the edge of the 239th Street Yard, and subway trains travel along the top of it on their way into and out of the yard.

Bissel Gardens is full of these beautiful flowers.

I just want him to know he's not alone.

This ain't Park Avenue.

These reflective metal gates, railings, and fences are quite common in certain parts of the city. It's not unusual to see multiple houses on a single block adopting this shinier-is-better philosophy of exterior design. I've taken untold photos of the mirrored spheres that I've passed; fortunately, I've exercised some restraint in posting only two so far.

UPDATE: Even though this photo was taken in the Bronx, I shall henceforth refer to this style of ornamentation as "Queens chrome" (as suggested by Jessica W in the comments below) to pay tribute to the borough where it seems to be most beloved.

I respect the way this sign expresses its individuality by boldly deviating from the standard boilerplate, but a close reading of the law (which the city supposedly started enforcing in 2008) reveals that it is not legally binding.

There is so much we take for granted!

That's the edge of New York City. Right there, where the concrete turns to grass. Beyond that line lie the Mountains of Vernon, home to all manner of fantastical beast, if the hallowed legends of our time are to be believed. For ages, our greatest bards have captivated us with tales of the exotic parking regulations, speed limits, right-turn-on-red laws, and garbage collection schedules that are said to lurk in that land beyond the precipice. And now, after trekking for literally minutes through the farthest reaches of our fair metropolis, I am poised to venture forth into that great unknown; to see, with my own eyes, that fabled realm of myth and mystery. If I can just work up the courage to take those last few steps...

Oh, I see. That's kind of an odd location, isn't it? (Here's what it looks like from the street.)