The last week of May was full of encounters on my walkabouts, not only with critters but also with light. The early morning light paints the landscape in ways the continually change. The flora is changed by the shadows and highlights. The bright sun that finds its way through the trees and spotlights a skunk cabbage leaf in brilliant green is our magic. It was a fantastic week on the trails and here are some highlights.
I was on my morning walkabout at Alumni Filed Park when I came across a snapping turtle preparing a whole to lay her eggs in. I observed her for a bit while she rested from digging. I then left her. to continue the task at hand. Every day at the park reveals some sort of experience. This was one I have yet to come across in all my years on the trials.
Collection from my walkabout a few weeks ago.
This was my time in the park the day I spotted a big black bear. That was certainly the highlight of the morning but there was plenty of other encounters that were just as magical. That early morning sun paints such a vivid and mystical look to the the landscape and critters of the area.
While on my walkabout I spotted a wood thrush just off trail. Over the past several weeks I watched as she built a nest in a small maple tree that over hangs the trail. I have watched as the nest went from a single layer of leaves to a robust intricate weaved leaf and twig structure. This is a short video of one of my observations.
It was an amazing afternoon on the Musconetcong River. As soon as I left the launch a bald eagle flew over and I spotted a great blue heron in the tangles of a fallen tree in the river just upstream. Making my way downstream to the dam an immature eagle flew by heading upstream. I watched as it circled back around and flew over again disappearing downstream. I encountered another great blue heron on an another dead tree just above the dam.
I made the turn back upstream at the dam where I encountered my first yellow iris of the season, yes they re invasive but I find them very pretty and can’t help myself but snap a few shots of it. On my way back upstream I watched as another great blue heron took off from the river in front of me. I noticed it had a mouth full of carp as it flew across the opposite shore where it swallowed the huge fish.
Made my way up to Saxton Lake where I saw the male resident mute swan patrolling in front of their nest as the female sat on the her eggs.
Paddled up the flats I encountered another great blue heron standing on another downed tree which it soon took to the air flying up stream. Approaching Otter Island I spotted a sandpiper working the shallow channel on the downstream side of the island. As I made the turn around the back side of the island the heron had landed on a limb then took off landing across the river to the entrance to Schittz Creek- a tributary to the Musky.
I made the turn back downstream and to the flats where I saw what I thought was just another vulture soaring over the river but as I watched I soon realized it was one of the resident eagles. I watched from my boat as it circled high over head and slowly descended to tree level where it glided to the trees near their nest. I sat for quite a while watching it preen its chest feathers and look around. I watched these eagles build their nest here int he fall of 2024. I have not seen any signs of young in the time they have been here. Great to have them on the river.
I was able to find some amazing spring blooms along the way as well. I love to photograph flowers and am always on the hunt for the perfect shot. The yellow iris’ have started blooming-yes I know they are invasive but the iris is one of my favorite flowers. Soon the Blue Iris will begin blooming-they are native.
Such an amazing afternoon on the water.
I finally put together the footage and stills from my bear encounter a few weeks ago.
Highlights from my walkabouts a few weeks ago at Alumni Field Park along the Musconetcong River. These are the highlights from a few days worth of walks. 051326, 051426, and 051526
Spring has been a bounty of amazing encounters. The nesting boxes along the trails has provided me with some fantastic opportunities to observe some of my favorite birds along the trails. I have even been able to see a wood thrush and observe the nest building process which has been fascinating.
We live in an amazing world with fantastic things happening all around us on a daily basis we just need to slow down and see them.
Collection from my walkabout at Alumni Field Park in Hackettstown. Brilliant sun made for some spectacular lighting along the trails and water. The usual suspects along with a few surprises along the way made for another fantastic morning.
Collection from my walkabout a few weeks ago at Alumni Field Park in Hackettstown. The morning started out covered in a mist leaving the landscape in a mysterious shroud only revealing hints of the landscape. It lifted just as quickly as it seemed to hang overhead and the sun came out revealing the clarity and magic of the nature around me.
One of the benefits of walking the same grounds almost every day I get to know the resident wildlife pretty closely. I know the deer that make the park home, I know the different red squirrels that call home to separate locations within the park. I also get to know the fathered residents of the park as well. That includes the resident lone goose. Every year there seems to be a lone goose that takes up residence at the ponds. On this particular morning I found the lone goose on the backside of one of the ponds facing the woods that lead to the Musconetcong River. It was letting out calls and getting responses back from the river. I watched as the lone goose changed position paced back and forth straining its neck while calling. As I continued on my walk the geese continued their conversation. In the end the lone goose remained the lone goose.
Who knows what was being said…I can only imagine.
NJ Flat Water Kayaker 