Visit to Stony Brook Watershed

Welcome to Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed, the "main preserve." On my way to a quilting (fabric) store, I decided to check out a new green spot on the map. It turns out there are several Stony Brook (insert natural area here)'s. The link above is a trail map to the area I visited. This Sunday was calm and sunny with the temperature at 69 degrees, up from 27 overnight.
While posted regulations specifically prohibit boating and campfires, the many boating ramps and well established fire ring next to the boat house appear well used. Clearly the summer camp that meets here has special privileges at the park.

A Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) rears its head above the pond's surface.

The island in the middle of the lake can only be reached by waterfowl (and the campers with special privileges).

I was pleased with clear blue sky - already I have begun to miss driving home in daylight.

The park boasts the unusual metal nesting box above - it reminded me of a public telephone. Perhaps it was at one time... Some Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) move off across the pond.

Because I could not reach it, I wondered if anything cool was happening on the island.

A dragonfly (Order Odonata) poses on a boardwalk plank along the trail.

In my office at work I have several photos of roads and trails - it makes me feel like I am in fact going somewhere while I am sitting still at my computer throughout the work day.

A surprisingly in focus shot of a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), which always seemed to be standing motionless on the opposite side of the pond from me - despite the fact that I circled the entire pond.

Along the trail there were many - interesting - signs describing the carefully preserved watershed.

It was a good hike - the trail has mobile boardwalks strategically placed along the narrow, muddy track.

A heron and goose hang out together. While the heron repeatedly fled at my approach, he did not mind the other waterfowl.

I only wish I had been able to spend more time outside this weekend. These were perhaps the mildest days we will have for some time. I have a case of the sniffles which decreased my overall energy and I devoted most of my time to dozing the sun. I hope to visit some farther points next week.

November Weather Begins

This weekend seemed the coldest yet. There was frost icing trees and grass until the sun had been up for several hours on Saturday. I spent the majority of the morning indoors and then spent just an hours or so at Colonial Park in Franklin Township, NJ. This November seems consistent with previous seasons - the leaves are past their prime, and may trees are completely denuded.

A few low shrubs still glow with color above the deep carpet of leaves.

Soon the trails in some areas will disappear for the season beneath a carpet of leaves.

Although midday, the trees stand out against the gray sky as they do at dawn or dusk. A last few shots and I retreated home to have soup for lunch.

On Sunday, Aengus and I braved a still colder day at Sourland Mountain for about 15 minutes sometime in the morning (with the time change, I have lost all sense of time).

The sun was out with that particular intensity that comes with miles visibility during a high pressure front.

A sizable flock of Canadian Geese (Branta canadensis) enjoyed the pond across a field from the parking lot.

While we saw several birdwatchers, hikers, and folks walking their dogs, the wind and air temperature was likely downwards of 40 degrees. I spent the day making just short trips outdoors, reluctant to put on my heavy winter gear just yet. Next week however I will make the effort necessary to enjoy the scenery despite the season's lower temperatures. Have a good week - stay warm!

Happy Hallowe'en!

Hurray for the sun! Hope you enjoyed the latest sunny fall weekend. This Saturday I travelled to Deer Path Park in Flemington, NJ. I wanted a nice walk among trees after purchasing this year's pumpkins at Schaefer Farm (also in Flemington).
This was my first visit to Deer Path, and I could tell the park was beautiful in the summer and fall.

Paths ramble past sports fields, a lake, fields and wooded areas.

Soccer fields, baseball diamonds and open grassy space is available with a killer view of the surrounding hillsides.

This late in the season, many critters were no shows. I saw several song birds, squirrels and the Canada geese (Branta canadensis) above, perhaps migrating through the area.

On Sunday, I took a walk in the wind and increasingly cool weather at Colonial Park in Franklin Township, NJ. The fall colors are still in full swing around the Powder Mill Pond, above.

I walked the trail and took in the increasing layer of colorful leaves on the ground - the season is waining and winter will soon be here.

A carpet of leaves covered the surface of this stream, creating a road to the lake in golden yellow.

The sky this weekend was a brilliant clear blue with only small puffy clouds passing.

A Great Blue Huron (Ardea herodias) paces the far side of the pond.

As I left the park around 4pm, the light was already fading.

Every year I carve several pumpkins - colored glow stick give these faces their color.

I have candles lighting these larger designs. Happy Hallowe'en!