Friday, September 25th dawned cool and humid. Gray clouds covered the sky and a light mist settled everywhere with the high humidity, although the temperature was not far from 70 degrees. That Friday, I undertook to walk around the enter lake (Lake Surprise), a distance of just over 2 miles round trip. I used a parking area not far from the boat launch marked on the eastern side of the lake.
I was initially disappointed that I would not have direct sunlight for my photographs. Also, the humidity made my hair stick out from my head in an unruly cloud.
I think the lake was beautiful anyway. I am particularly fond of water lilies. I read on the interpretive signs (along the trail) that Lake Surprise was built specifically to allow water plants to grow and to benefit wildlife and water recreation (such as swimming and boating).
My first big sighting of the day: a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) in the act of swallowing - something. Perhaps a fish or a frog. After the tail/leg disappeared down it throat, its beak continued to moved, perhaps keeping its latest meal down.
There many sizable trees around the lake. Its not everywhere in NJ you can see trees to old/tall.
A Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta), I glimpsed through the trees along the bank.
The most noise on this hike was generated by the squirrels, which seemed to be everywhere, busily running from place to place. Second most noisy were the acorns falling from the many oak trees in the park - they are extra loud when bouncing off the roof of your car! A sporadic rain of them fell all day.
Two Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) rest on a fallen tree in the water, not far from the spillway I hiked around on my first trip to the reservation.
Last Sunday it was raining, but I decided to go for a walk anyway. I remember my stomach hurt and I was pretty sure I was coming down with something, so I didn't write it up last week. I went to Washington Valley Park, the Newman Lane trail head.
Due to the recent heavy rain, the stream was flowing strongly.
A hawk, perhaps a Red-tailed (Buteo jamaicensis), soars over the reservoir. Ducks, song birds and possibly squirrels kicked up a ruckus as it flew by.
An American Toad (Bufo americanus) (small, perhaps an adult in its first year) hopped along the trail as I headed back to the parking area. By this Saturday (9/18/10) the sun had returned and I was ready for a short walk at Colonial Park. It turns out I did have a sinus infection and I was eager to get some sun before resting throughout the rest of the weekend. The sun was out, but the weather was crisp and cool around 60 degrees.
Near the start of the trail some interesting orange beetles (which I will not attempt to identify) rest on the seed pod of a weed species.
The usual domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) and mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were hanging around the pond area to the left of the gazebo.
I noticed the Osage-orange trees (Maclura pomifera) had run their course for the season. The osage oranges (grapefruit-sized globes that have a textured surface that looks like brains) were scattered over the ground.
Occasionally, the green orbs would appear unexpectedly at some distance from any tree. I understand that squirrels tear them up to eat the seeds, but they have to constitute a big load for even the largest squirrels in this area to pick up and move.
Beautiful weather has graced the Labor Day weekend this year. Like many folks, I had Monday the 6th off work and made it down the shore one more time before summer officially ends. Before the holiday, an Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans terrestris) took a swim in our pool. As eye witnesses report, I was very excited! And I took several stills and a few videos of the adolescent snake (just over 6 inches in length, 1/4 inch a thickest point) swimming gracefully through the water before I lifted him out with a skimmer.
On Saturday, I took my usual route through Washington Valley Park. The air was on the cool side, crisp and breezy with low humidity.
I noticed many new views, as the leaves of many trees have turned dry and crackly and comes down already.
Many turtles feel no ill effects due to the drought - they swim and sun as if the waterline were as high as usual.
It has been pointed out to me that my blog is on the "fussy" side with all my identifications (or id attempts). I'll just call these turtles - I understand the species (probably painted turtles) may only be important to me.
After my 2 hours or so walk on Saturday, I was ready for some kayaking on the Delaware-Raritan Canal on Sunday. Aengus and I and a large crowd of eager tourists enjoyed the canal around noon during fair conditions.
I think we spotted a Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) relaxing on a branch as we spotted back.
A Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) was kind enough to let us get quite near and pose for me.
On Monday, my family and I returned to Sandy Hook in Atlantic Highlands, NJ just after 9am. A quick walk on the boardwalk out to the back across from Spermacetti Cove Visitor's Center revealed snails, fiddler crabs, a kestrel, many birds and small fish.
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I was initially disappointed that I would not have direct sunlight for my photographs. Also, the humidity made my hair stick out from my head in an unruly cloud.
I think the lake was beautiful anyway. I am particularly fond of water lilies. I read on the interpretive signs (along the trail) that Lake Surprise was built specifically to allow water plants to grow and to benefit wildlife and water recreation (such as swimming and boating).
My first big sighting of the day: a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) in the act of swallowing - something. Perhaps a fish or a frog. After the tail/leg disappeared down it throat, its beak continued to moved, perhaps keeping its latest meal down.
There many sizable trees around the lake. Its not everywhere in NJ you can see trees to old/tall.
A Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta), I glimpsed through the trees along the bank.
The most noise on this hike was generated by the squirrels, which seemed to be everywhere, busily running from place to place. Second most noisy were the acorns falling from the many oak trees in the park - they are extra loud when bouncing off the roof of your car! A sporadic rain of them fell all day.
Two Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) rest on a fallen tree in the water, not far from the spillway I hiked around on my first trip to the reservation.
A chipmunk (Tamias minimus) - one of several that made an appearance along the trail. While the trail on the northern shore was rocky and covered with tree roots and other obstructions, the trail on the southern shore was flattened and covered with cinder/gravel (part of the park's bridle trails).
Not far from the parking area, I came upon a small puddle in the trail with the small frog above hanging out in it. I believe it is a Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica), perhaps a juvenile, or some other chirping species.
As I exited the park, I noticed that many streams and creek beds emptying into the lake were very low or completely dry. It was cloudy once again today (Sunday), and I hope some much needed rain will fall this evening. The most action (animals) always occurs near bodies of water...
