Another Sandy Hook Trip

Welcome to Sandy Hook Beach, a part of Gateway of National Recreation Area in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. It is around 9am on Saturday, August 21st. Conditions are fair and cool around 75 degrees, with a strong wind coming off the water. As the day goes on, the mercury climbs into the 90's. A light haze cloaks the horizon and ocean waves are steady and light.
After a long walk on the beach, my family and I enjoyed some wave jumping in the ocean. After relaxing in the sun, we headed out around noon. Only a few shorebirds made an appearance along the sandy shore. A Common or Mew Gull (Larus canus), above.
I've been told juvenile gulls have brown speckling like the bird above. But gulls get so big, it may be that interbreeding with dark plumaged birds has created a hybrid.

I believe these are White-rumped Sandpipers (Calidris fuscicollis). They look very similar to the picture accompanying the relevant article on Whatbird.com.

A Sandpiper and Gull relax on the sand, watching the ocean.

With the water water and clear weather, lots of folks enjoy the South Beach area of the park.

On our way home, we stop by the Mount Mitchell overlook. With so much going on, I hope to get in a few more peaceful hikes next weekend.

Weekend Adventure at Jim Thorpe, PA

It's hard to describe Jim Thorpe, PA. The small town nestles within the hills of northeastern Pennsylvania.

The main street is dominated by a train station featuring rides to nowhere - excursion trains travel out for about 30 minutes before returning to the station. This weekend I undertook a short visit, complete with lunch in town and a long walk on the park bike path.

Venturing into the park, trains pass by mysteriously.

Is the train's driver waving at me?

I have discovered several species of butterfly which the above insect may be: Diana (Speyeria diana), White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis) and Blue Admiral (Nymphalis canace). In a future post, I will attempt to narrow it down...

After a short time, the same train passes by, headed back to the station.

As one travels down the bike path, curve after curve appears in the distance.

A beautiful fresh smell rides the wind that blows over the forested slopes and throughout the valley. It is pleasant to look up and see - not condos in the distance, but rocky outcrops pushing out of the trees. It was exceptionally cool and pleasant this weekend and I hope there is more sunny weather next week. The break in humidity and lower temperatures further reminds me of fall. I notice that, while it is dry, brown and crispy here in NJ, in PA it is still lush and green in Jim Thorpe.

Two Good Photos from Washington Valley

Saturday August 7th dawned cool, around 63 degrees. However, the temperature rose steadily, reaching about 85 degrees or more by mid-day. Hiking this morning was especially comfortable after the recent heatwave. I had several activities planned for the day, and took just an hour or so to walk through Washington Valley park from the Gilbride Road trail head.
The main highlights of this trip were the continued dry weather (dust blanketed most of the trail and had to be shaken out of my socks at the end of the day) and the two critters below.

I believe this is a Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris). He was hammering was at a dead pine tree. I caught just a few lucky shots as he worked his way upward to the very top.

Many leaves have fallen in the park, many of them colored just like fall.

I believe this is a Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon). It was about one foot long and swam through the water as I passed by on the trail.

Every water course is very shallow and teeming with fish, polliwogs, frogs and all kinds of life. Despite the low waterline, I felt the park had as much if not more water as the last time I was there. I hope to reach the shore a few more times before the rest of August flies by.