Gowanus Canal Nest Colony ... seriously

You never know what you will see along the Gowanus Canal. Along both sides of Degraw Street is a small group of canary yellow birdhouses -- an installation called the Canal Nest Colony. The birdhouses, or "nests" are crafted from recycled materials and hope to attract the Eastern Bluebird and and Purple Martin Additionally, two trees were planted along a drainage area to filter pollutants.

We really like it for a number of reasons, but mostly because it highlights the unique beauty of the canal.

Boerum Hill's Babbling Buckets

Last March, we told you about a large scale sailboat model in the front yard of a large, red brick townhouse on Dean Street, between Smith and Nevins Street. The same house, we noticed had recently installed fountain constructed of large white plastic buckets (five gallons?).

The installation is sizable; at least five feet high and six feet in diameter. Its round pyramid shape is very well proportioned to the large brick yard. As you approach it, the sound of water trickling into a tub increases in volume to when you are in front of it, that is the dominant sound you hear on that Brooklyn block.

We love it and can't wait to see the next installation.