It is always amazing to realize how much of the natural world not only exists, but prospers here in the city, alongside the cabs, suits, and horns. I’ve experienced this feeling a few times this summer — once marveling at the forest of weedy flowers in an abandoned lot, another time hearing about the hummingbirds in a friend’s Brooklyn backyard, and then once again, just recently, watching loads of pink jellyfish hang out in the East River off of the 34th Street Pier.

The most recent example of this life that surrounds us came yesterday with a Parks Department announcement of their findings after dredging the lake in Central Park. Here’s an excerpt from the New York Post article that covered the story in today’s paper:

“Parks Department workers dredging parts of The Lake were startled to discover more than 5,000 massive carp lurking in the shallows. The behemoth koi, some 3 feet long and weighing up to 30 pounds, were pulled from the popular rowing spot. The dredging also stirred up several brawny, bellicose snapping turtles – some as big as 50 pounds – and plenty of freshwater clams. Work began on the 21-acre body of water in the spring, part of two major reconstruction efforts that mark the beginning of the end of a 30-year effort to upgrade and improve Central Park’s infrastructure.”

30 pound carp and 50 pound snappers — what an exciting backyard we all share! You can’t get that in the suburbs.