Secrets of NYC's derelict and forgotten areas

Even with real estate at a premium in the city, there are a surprising number of derelict buildings and islands that have been literally left to the birds.

North Brother Island, located in the East River, is one of those places. It was once home to a quarantine hospital where Typhoid Mary spent her final days. Now it is part of a network of uninhabited islands that serve as havens for shorebirds, it is only accessible by permit from the Department of Parks.

Photographer Christopher Payne spent five years on separate trips visiting the island for his recently published book, "North Brother Island: The Last Unknown Place in New York City." His images capture an island that could be the setting of some spectacular ghost stories or an apocalyptic movie.

Photographer Will Ellis runs a website devoted to abandoned places in the city and visited the island with Payne. In an interview last week, Ellis tried to explain the fascination with such scenes of deterioration and neglect.

"It's something that's within us as humans to be fascinated by these ruins," he said. "I think it sort of appeals to people's morbid curiosity."

amNewYork took a look at five places that have been abandoned.