This Saturday marked the latest in another string of sunny, hot days in mid-July. Each day around noon the temperature tops 100 degrees. Last week saw more of the same with the occasional switch to heavy humidity and thunderstorms. I headed out early (9:30am) to beat the worst of the day's heat, although I estimate the temperature as already at 85 degrees when I left my vehicle at the Amwell Road parking area of the Delaware-Raritan Canal State Park in Hillsborough, NJ.
The canal was beautiful in the bright sunlight. I have always admired the play of sunlight on water. Heavy greenery adorns each shore as we approach the midpoint of the summer season.
A purple flower lends a splash of color. 
While the water of the canal can be completely opaque after a rainstorm, it has been some time since the last passing shower and most areas are at least a bit clear. In deep pools, the light fades down to murkiness in the mud at the bottom of the canal. 
A tree branch hangs out over the water. 
A floating log has grown some interesting fungi. 
Heading north along the trail, one approaches Colonial Park via a bridge over the canal. Up and down the canal, turtles rise to the surface around this spot for some air and perhaps a little sun. I spot a Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) swimming up to the surface to say hi.
Solar radiation had the temperature kicking right up, although it was slightly cooler in the shade, at least this early on.
Crossing over the canal, I took a quick walk into Colonial Park. Above, a Groundhog (Marmota monax) has breakfast.
Even though I have been to this park hundreds of time over the past 30 years, I still find new pictures to take every time, new views that I have not seen before.
By the time I reached the parking area, it was about 10:30am and I was grateful to return the air-conditioned interior of my vehicle. The day was almost hot beyond my usual comfort level already! Walking in the heat is no problem, but I like to cool off afterward - I keep a thermos of ice water in the car to cool down with after summer hikes.
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The canal was beautiful in the bright sunlight. I have always admired the play of sunlight on water. Heavy greenery adorns each shore as we approach the midpoint of the summer season.
A purple flower lends a splash of color. 
While the water of the canal can be completely opaque after a rainstorm, it has been some time since the last passing shower and most areas are at least a bit clear. In deep pools, the light fades down to murkiness in the mud at the bottom of the canal. 
A tree branch hangs out over the water. 
A floating log has grown some interesting fungi. 
Heading north along the trail, one approaches Colonial Park via a bridge over the canal. Up and down the canal, turtles rise to the surface around this spot for some air and perhaps a little sun. I spot a Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) swimming up to the surface to say hi.
Solar radiation had the temperature kicking right up, although it was slightly cooler in the shade, at least this early on.
Crossing over the canal, I took a quick walk into Colonial Park. Above, a Groundhog (Marmota monax) has breakfast.
Even though I have been to this park hundreds of time over the past 30 years, I still find new pictures to take every time, new views that I have not seen before.
By the time I reached the parking area, it was about 10:30am and I was grateful to return the air-conditioned interior of my vehicle. The day was almost hot beyond my usual comfort level already! Walking in the heat is no problem, but I like to cool off afterward - I keep a thermos of ice water in the car to cool down with after summer hikes. 
After consuming a moderate amount of ice water, I was ready for one more activity in the sun on Saturday. I drove out to Cold Soil Road in Princeton to visit Terhune Orchard for some blueberry picking. 
Those tags hanging in the sky are a fine net that reserves the blueberries for folks coming out to pick containers full of the sweet/tart berries. Otherwise birds might devour them. However, the blackberries (ripening in the photo below) at the orchard seem to do ok without such protection. 
After just a half hour in the sun around noon I was done for the day and I recovered throughout the rest of day indoors, with the help of heavy air conditioning. It is important to stay hydrated and keep electrolytes in your system during these days of extreme heat. Stay cool - see you on the trail!
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