The New Orleans Collection: Live Oaks at Audubon Park

Live oaks are arguably some of the most majestic trees on earth. Somehow, we are fortunate enough to be inundated with them all over New Orleans. No matter where you go, there they are. And that is an awe-inspiring thing for a lot of people who aren’t from here. Of course we native New Orleanians love the trees, but we take them for granted much of the time. They are literally in our backyard and don’t know a world without these trees. The New Orleans Collection wouldn't be complete without a photograph of live oak trees.

As a local real estate broker, I have random pockets of time to enjoy the city. The peace I feel when walking through City Park or Audubon Park is related in part to having these live oaks surrounding the grounds of the parks. Many of them have moss hanging from them, and they look partly haunting and partly like they have grey hair. Climbing these behemoths was a favorite pastime as a kid, and it’s enjoyable to see kids still doing it. The branches often come down to the ground, making it easy to hop onto. Everyone in New Orleans has a picture of themselves sitting on a branch, I guarantee! Choosing which photograph of the live oaks for The New Orleans Collection was a bit difficult, as I have so many beautiful shots. Read more about the Uptown neighborhood these oaks live in here.

I actually wasn’t considering using a picture of live oaks for The New Orleans Collection until I spoke to a friend of mine who lives in California. She said that the trees would be something she would like to see added. I was thrilled because not too long before I had walked through Audubon Park on a lazy Sunday and got this shot. The line of trees creating a canopy drew me in, and snap snap snap. I got that beautiful photograph. Can you imagine yourself lying down on the grass in the shade on a blanket and enjoying the day? That's what this picture makes me want to do. What does it bring up for you?