Quiet Thanksgiving Weekend

Welcome to a quiet Sunday afternoon in Hillsborough, NJ. This is Thanksgiving weekend 2010.
The most exciting siting I had this week was a visit from a raccoon (Procyon lotor) after dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Here it is, helping itself to some cat food left out for the strays outside the folks house. From now on, I will no longer make fun of grainy Bigfoot photos - its hard to get clear shots under low light conditions.

We had a pleasant turkey dinner on Thursday. The weather outside was very damp and bitter cold including light hail, snow and lots of rain. So I spent the day inside with family - our biggest crowd yet due to the addition of a few cousins this year.

Friday and Saturday were equally cold around 40 degrees with passing sun and clouds. Saturday in particular was very windy, so I spent the majority of the day in movie theaters taking in the latest hits.

On Sunday, with a high temperature of 50 degrees, I finally ventured out for short walk. Normally I look forward to many long walks during a holiday weekend, but with my latest case of the sniffles is hanging on, I just didn't want to push my luck.

The pictures above are along a bike path in some preserved green space. Many, many woodland critters make their home there and appear along the path from time to time.

A flat, low lying area the path circles was probably created for drainage. Local kids like to ride their dirt bikes and other toys around in there.

Several trails run into this area. I can't wait to walk this same path when the ground is covered under thick snow.

Everywhere it is obvious that winter is coming. A last few leaves that are still turning to fall colors provide splashes of color.

A small stream runs under the path.

I regret that I do not get out here more often now that I return home after dark. In the summer, I can enjoy this stretch of woods everyday if I choose.

As I walked along, the light from the setting sun was blocked by clouds until...

...a golden light threw shadows out behind the trees for a few minutes.

While I cannot hope for more mild weather, I am looking forward to winter precipitation which always makes winter scenery look pretty. The winter is quickly drawing to a close, and it looks like I will make my 52 post goal for the year. Stay warm!

Bicentennial Park, East Brunswick Visit

This weekend I was still recovering from my cold. I spent Saturday indoors, resting and drinking tea, and Sunday taking a short run to a mall in East Brunswick. On the way back I stopped at Bicentennial Park, in East Brunswick.
Bicentennial is a well-visited park with a nature center, tennis courts, a baseball field and a playground. It is located on the southern bank of Lake Farrington.

Away from the parking area, ringing the lake, is a band of woods. A picnic table stands ready for use, surrounded by moss.

A White Birch (Betula papyrifera) grows along the shore.

I found freshwater clam shells abundant in the water.

A Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (along with several flocks of the same) enjoys a nearby part of the shore.

A large population of Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) also kept me company. There must have been 2 dozen jumping around busily, even in the small area I covered.

A male Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) poses for his picture. He quacked at me - to confirm consent to make use of his image here, I am sure.

I saw a flash of white and hoped for an egret - a lot of waterfowl hang out in New Jersey all year round. It turned out be the Common Gull (Larus canus), pictured above.

A White Pine (Pinus strobus) guards the parking area.

The bridge that one drives across to reach the far side of the lake. I hope you will visit Bicentennial and enjoy the resources it has to offer. The park is quite approachable and requires no special equipment beyond sandals or sneakers to enjoy. Even with the high human traffic, geese and other small animals seem to fearlessly congregate.

Also on the drive back was Negri-Nepote Grassland.

I jumped out of the car briefly to appreciate the great sense of space the open meadow provides.

When I am feeling better (or perhaps in the Spring), I will read up on the grassland and tour the trails running through it. My initial impression was that it is certainly prime hawk and songbird habitat. Stay warm!

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!