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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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.
Fiddler crabs (Uca, sp.) defend their burrows in the sand by waving their one enlarged claw at potential trespassers.
On the ocean side of the park, a star fish or sea star.
Before we know it, 12 noon and the end of our beach day rolled around. Overall this holiday (as they all do) went by much too fast.
