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.
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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...
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