Summer View of the Arboretum from Above

First off, my apologies. For this is not the picture I intended it to be. This was SUPPOSED to be a picture of one of the awesome new ice cream flavors at Penn State's Berkey Creamery, "August pie." For I had about 20 minutes between buses and I couldn't think of anyone who deserved ice cream more than myself, given the stresses we've been through lately.

But alas, we will all need to wait for another day for that ice cream shot, because when I arrived at the Creamery, there was a line out the door. Yes, it was a hot summer day, and apparently we all had the same good idea. I looked at the line, did a quick math calculation in my head, realized there was not going to be time for ice cream, and turned around and left.

Instead, I wandered over to the Business Building, and went up to the fourth floor, where there is a very fine view provided of the Arboretum from that vantage point. Things looked very pleasant and green and summery, and so here is my shot for the day. I got to be the "eye in the sky" from above.

In this photo, you may see the Pavilion, behind which sits the red elm that I love to photograph so often (no, you can't see the elm from here). In the center is the little fountain. Down front right is the walkway which is also fun to take pictures of.

To the right center is the poplar row that photographs so well reflected on the lily pond. The lily pond itself is to the left of the fountain, behind those little walls. The Glass House at Childhood's Gate is just out of scene to the left.

It also occurs to me now that I never got to share this one bit of happy news. I entered the Penn State Arboretum's spring photo contest, and the day before my sister died, I learned that my picture, Bloom Time Comes to Childhood's Gate, took first prize! So finally, I remember to tell you that!

The song is for the picture above: Alan Parsons Project, with Eye in the Sky.