Birthday Weekend, October 2010

Yes, a year has gone and I am another year older. It seems like a big change, although it is really just one more year. I celebrated by packing many fun activities into the weekend.

Saturday dawned cool and clear following a week of heavy rains. I waited until the sun had warmed the air, and hit the trail around 11am at Washington Valley Park, Gilbride Road trail head. Where all had been dry and dusty, now every creek was running and the banks of the reservoir were back where they had been before the dry summer. Grass, brush and even young trees were inundated or completely submerged.

A Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) arises wet and glistening on a fallen log.
Further on, an another turtle stands quietly in the sun.

The rock crossing near the East Branch Reservoir was covered by clear flowing water. Water snails explored the newly submerged surfaces at their leisure.

I was pleased by the sunlight cutting through the fresh, crisp air. The high pressure system following the tropical conditions we experienced Thursday and Friday was a big change.

It is the beginning of the autumn season and fall is slowly but surely stealing over the trees.

I had a good moment sitting on some rocks overlooking the falls. I took off all my layers and soaked in the sun while listening to the music of the water falling over the rocks. Then it was noon and time to head home.

Later in the day, I visited Lambertville, NJ - New Hope, PA. The two interesting towns are connected by Bridge Street (above) which passes over the Raritan River.

I had desired to travel out on the river on one of the many ferry boats which provide tours, but due to the heavy flood waters all vessels were tied up, out of the main current. We took a ride on the excursion train (New Hope and Ivy Railroad) out of the small station in New Hope.

On Sunday, I strolled down the canal about 10am. I couldn't resist snapping a few shots of the early fall foliage. While most trees were still green, the changing leaves turned to jewel-like colors in the sunlight.

This shot reminds me a Tiffany window.

A final Green Frog (Rana clamitans) peaks out of the duckweed. It was a good weekend, I hope to power through the additional rain this week to the next adventure Oct. 9th...

Watchung Reservation, Friday 9/25/10

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.

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...

Latest photos from 3 hikes

Last Sunday it was raining, but I decided to go for a walk anyway. I remember my stomach hurt and I was pretty sure I was coming down with something, so I didn't write it up last week. I went to Washington Valley Park, the Newman Lane trail head.
Due to the recent heavy rain, the stream was flowing strongly.

A hawk, perhaps a Red-tailed (Buteo jamaicensis), soars over the reservoir. Ducks, song birds and possibly squirrels kicked up a ruckus as it flew by.

An American Toad (Bufo americanus) (small, perhaps an adult in its first year) hopped along the trail as I headed back to the parking area.

By this Saturday (9/18/10) the sun had returned and I was ready for a short walk at Colonial Park. It turns out I did have a sinus infection and I was eager to get some sun before resting throughout the rest of the weekend. The sun was out, but the weather was crisp and cool around 60 degrees.

Near the start of the trail some interesting orange beetles (which I will not attempt to identify) rest on the seed pod of a weed species.

The usual domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) and mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were hanging around the pond area to the left of the gazebo.

I noticed the Osage-orange trees (Maclura pomifera) had run their course for the season. The osage oranges (grapefruit-sized globes that have a textured surface that looks like brains) were scattered over the ground.

Occasionally, the green orbs would appear unexpectedly at some distance from any tree. I understand that squirrels tear them up to eat the seeds, but they have to constitute a big load for even the largest squirrels in this area to pick up and move.

A lucky shot of what I think may be Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) or other small chorus frog. I always hear but seldom see these tiny frogs. They emit a distinctive "chirp" when they hear you coming and jump away, into the water. I was pleased to finally have a photo of such an elusive species.

A White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) walks through the deeper part of the woods along the trail. A fawn trailed behind her.

This Sunday I wanted another short walk to celebrate the abundant sunshine and 80 degree weather. I headed out for about 1/2 hour along the Delaware-Raritan Canal from the Amwell Road, Hillsborough, NJ parking area.

I was surprised to see that not only had water persisted in some low lying areas, but also had been present for a sufficient length of time for duckweed to grow.

The sun shown beautifully on the plants in this swamp like area. Fall is in the air and the abundant greenery is slowly changing to browns, reds and golds. After a pleasant time walking along the water, I returned home to write this post up and work on draining my sinuses. I understand that other areas (e.g. anywhere except NJ) have received moderate (versus low) rainfall this summer and I look forward to another beautiful autumn season.