On a recent flight out west, I had the good fortune to sit on the right side of the plane (actually the left side in this case) to capture a gorgeous view of the five boroughs from high above the city. Since lovely Manhattan is home sweet home, it’s hard not to focus on its distinctive shape that is so appealing even from thousands of feet in the air. But the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island hold their own even with a stunning Hudson River and New Jersey hanging out right next door.

C. Nelson, 2011.

C. Nelson, 2011.

C. Nelson, 2011.

C. Nelson, 2011.

C. Nelson, 2011.