Saturday morning, July 31st, dawned cool (63 degrees) and clear for the first time in several weeks. I visited Sandy Hook in Highlands, NJ with my family and enjoyed the fine, comfortable, weather on a beach with quiet surf.
While conditions were too cool for me to enjoy swimming, a long walk on the beach was possible in the pleasant (vs. baking) sunlight.
Seagulls (or Common Gulls) (Larus canus) pick a spot free of sun bathers and fisherman to hang out.
In the distance on South Beach, the ongoing bridge/road construction project looms in the distance.
On Sunday, I enjoyed a walk in Colonial Park, in Franklin, NJ. I am fond of Colonial Park due to the large amount of birds, fish, snails and reptiles that abound there. On almost every trip, I capture a new photo of an interesting species.
With the lack of rain this season, duckweed quite covers every stretch of water.
The area has become redolent of swampy smells due to the stagnant water. I found that certain spots are quite stinky now. Large muddy beaches have formed due to the low waterline. Broken shells of snails and even some large, freshwater clams litter the fermenting earth.
Above is an interesting bird that looks just like a Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). While my field guides indicate their typical range is throughout Canada, I can confirm the bird looked just like the picture on the Cornell Lab Ornithology website.
On Saturday, July 24th, I walked a familiar trail in Washington Valley Park, beginning at the Gilbride Road parking area. At around 9am, the temperature was already up around 80 degrees, and heading upwards quickly. 
The sun was very bright, and appeared almost white in several photos I took.
A Green frog (Rana clamitans) lounges in the shadows.
Not many critters were out this morning, and I noticed the light seemed different from my usual hiking time (right around noon). The shadows were longer here and there as the sun was not so high in the sky.
The light was just reaching the tips of the trees over the trail leading to the Hawk Watch platform.
I was feeling artistic as I headed back down the trail after viewing the falls.
The best fishing spots in several parks are marked by "Christmas ornaments" like the one above - lost floats from fishermen catching a line on a branch. 
As I drove into the park yesterday, I wondered how many critters hang out in the slope leading down from the roadway to the water. The trail runs right along the river, so the area between remains undisturbed.
A Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) feather along the side of the trail. Since just the one feather was present, hopefully the rest of the jay is intact somewhere.
I noticed that many trees appear dry, and dead leaves litter the undergrowth - just like fall!
This morning, I made it down the shore to Sandy Hook, a part of Gateway National Recreation Area in Highlands, NJ. At 8:30am, the sun was out the day wasn't too hot just yet. My companion and I started out at Horseshoe Cove, a spot on the bay side well out along the hook of Sandy Hook.
Interesting stuff is always swimming by or lying in remnants along the sand here.
This Saturday marked the latest in another string of sunny, hot days in mid-July. Each day around noon the temperature tops 100 degrees. Last week saw more of the same with the occasional switch to heavy humidity and thunderstorms. I headed out early (9:30am) to beat the worst of the day's heat, although I estimate the temperature as already at 85 degrees when I left my vehicle at the Amwell Road parking area of the Delaware-Raritan Canal State Park in Hillsborough, NJ.
The canal was beautiful in the bright sunlight. I have always admired the play of sunlight on water. Heavy greenery adorns each shore as we approach the midpoint of the summer season.
A purple flower lends a splash of color. 
While the water of the canal can be completely opaque after a rainstorm, it has been some time since the last passing shower and most areas are at least a bit clear. In deep pools, the light fades down to murkiness in the mud at the bottom of the canal. 
A tree branch hangs out over the water. 
A floating log has grown some interesting fungi. 
Heading north along the trail, one approaches Colonial Park via a bridge over the canal. Up and down the canal, turtles rise to the surface around this spot for some air and perhaps a little sun. I spot a Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) swimming up to the surface to say hi.
Solar radiation had the temperature kicking right up, although it was slightly cooler in the shade, at least this early on.
Crossing over the canal, I took a quick walk into Colonial Park. Above, a Groundhog (Marmota monax) has breakfast.
Even though I have been to this park hundreds of time over the past 30 years, I still find new pictures to take every time, new views that I have not seen before.
By the time I reached the parking area, it was about 10:30am and I was grateful to return the air-conditioned interior of my vehicle. The day was almost hot beyond my usual comfort level already! Walking in the heat is no problem, but I like to cool off afterward - I keep a thermos of ice water in the car to cool down with after summer hikes.
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While conditions were too cool for me to enjoy swimming, a long walk on the beach was possible in the pleasant (vs. baking) sunlight.
Seagulls (or Common Gulls) (Larus canus) pick a spot free of sun bathers and fisherman to hang out.
In the distance on South Beach, the ongoing bridge/road construction project looms in the distance.
On Sunday, I enjoyed a walk in Colonial Park, in Franklin, NJ. I am fond of Colonial Park due to the large amount of birds, fish, snails and reptiles that abound there. On almost every trip, I capture a new photo of an interesting species.
With the lack of rain this season, duckweed quite covers every stretch of water.
The area has become redolent of swampy smells due to the stagnant water. I found that certain spots are quite stinky now. Large muddy beaches have formed due to the low waterline. Broken shells of snails and even some large, freshwater clams litter the fermenting earth.
Above is an interesting bird that looks just like a Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). While my field guides indicate their typical range is throughout Canada, I can confirm the bird looked just like the picture on the Cornell Lab Ornithology website.
I was impressed by the tolerance of the bull frog (Rana catesbeiana) above. I walked right up next to him and took several photographs and he showed to inclination to give up his spot on the bank.
Above are female Wood ducks (Aix Sponsa). For this picture I used the very highest zoom on my camera to capture a shot from across the water. I now feel confident that a large flock of Wood ducks (and their goslings) have taken up residence in the park.
I look forward to another long walk next weekend if the cooler weather continues.
