While on my morning walkabout last week I came upon a pair of pileated woodpecker siblings working some trees just off trail. The morning light hit them just right. That’s something I have been really looking at over the last year. Early morning sun and how it plays with highlighting and shadows in the forest and on its inhabitants. It’s been a magical journey, one that I am excited to continue to learn and grow as a photographer.

While out for a morning paddle on the upper Musconetcong River I came upon a bit of activity on the waters surface. I think it was carp feeding but it could have been the Mantis Man who is known to live in the area. What do you think?

Collection from my Alumni Field walkabouts last week. Amazing encounters and sights all week long.

Heard it before I found the wood thrush in the woods. It has such an amazing song. Since observing the wood thrush for the last several weeks I am finally figuring out its song. The wren has distinct markings on its breast and the coloring is a brilliant rusty orangish brown. Clearly distinguishable when you spot one. They are very elusive so when I do spot one its a thrill.

As I was walking along the river trail at Alumni Field Park I encountered a deer feeding from the far bank of the Musconetcong River in the water.

Collection from my time visiting family down in Maryalnd. Always nice to get away to some new scenery. They have an amazing flower garden where I always spend my time photographing the amazing pops of color and shapes. This time of year the lilies were blooming. Encounters with some bee’s and dragonflies even a ruby throated hummingbird and box turtle.

I was on my morning walkabout at Alumni Field Park in Hackettstown. As I was walking along the river trail I heard the low thump- thump- thump- over the water. I walked to the rivers edge and looked up stream to see a male pileated woodpecker working a dead tree. From my vantage it was difficult to get a clear view of him. Sometimes the essence of the experience is the real story. I did manage to get some glimpses of him through the trees.

Walking along the Musconetcong River in Alumni Park I was pretty excited to spot a great blue heron in the middle of the river- as I have seen so many times. Then I watched as it quickly walked to the bank. Next thing I knew I watched as it plucked a big fish out of the river. I watched as it positioned the fish and then down its gullet it went. Post feed it flew downstream a little bit landing on a log to digest . It soon took to the air flying further down stream and out of site. Great end to my morning walkabout!

While on my morning walkabout I came upon the second buck of the day. He was feeding on a trail between the old hatchery ponds.

While on my morning walkabout I came across a few deer grazing along and in one of the old hatchery ponds. A doe moved across the pond and as she stepped onto the far bank and into the woods a fawn stood up and followed her disappearing into the thickets that lined the bank.