Over the years, the former biologist who has been living above the river at Imperial Highway has crafted an arboretum with a koi pond, bird feeders and about 250 fruit and pine trees, shrubs and exotic plants.
Go for a very short walk in your lunch break - your task is to find a flower, leaf, pond, bird - something that you can study in very close detail.
With 478 acres of nature - hills, valleys, flora, ponds, birds - and a massive collection of 19th- and 20th-century statuary and mausoleums, Green-Wood will blow you away.
If you are still and quiet, you may observe nature uninterrupted; the frogs may reappear at the edge of the pond, the birds and squirrels may start to return to their work.
Recent rains had filled Blackbird Pond, and birds were singing everywhere.
If you have a pond the birds will come and wash in that too.
There are dreamy views across the valley, a wildlife garden with a pond and bird hide, and footpaths leading from the front door into the forest.
Meanwhile, that area provides a salt panne and seasonal ponds where birds can rest, feed and even nest.
Exquisitely planned and maintained, the rolling gardens had miles of pathways, thousands of plants and shrubs, ponds, rare birds and fanciful sculptures imported from Germany, including images of Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel.
Surround your ornamental pond or bird bath with native perennials appropriate to your region of the world.
