Foggy morning in Rockaway Valley

Foggy morning in Rockaway Valley
Boonton Twp NJ
May 2023

I was able to park my car yesterday and shoot a few frames before the morning fog dissipated.

Another note of interest- my internet research reveals that this agricultural property near the corner of Rockaway Valley Road and Valley Road was the first preserved farmland in Boonton Township.

Sony A7R3 + Tamron 24mm

Red Eft at Wildcat Ridge

Red Eft
Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area
Morris County NJ
April 2023

Call them what you like: Efts, Newts, or Salamanders These charismatic amphibians make me grateful for the preserved open spaces we do have in North Jersey.

Sidenote: if you do take the time to get outside to observe reptiles and amphibians do not be selfish and move them or take them home. Nobody wants to be a prisoner.

Great Brook in December

Great Brook in December
Great Swamp NWR
New Vernon NJ

A mild 50°F morning and drizzling rain dispersed patches of fog across the refuge.

Dot-tailed Whiteface dragonfly in NJ

Dot-tailed Whiteface dragonfly 

Mahlon Dickerson County Reservation 

Jefferson NJ

May 2022

Though this species of spring dragonflies is very common locally I find their contrasty colors are great for imagery. 

For this frame I used my 28mm macro lens to showcase the dragonfly-scape

More information on Dot-tailed Whiteface – https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot-tailed_whiteface

#njnature #njphotography #njhiking #newjersey #nj #macro #morriscounty #northjersey

Osprey in Denville NJ

Osprey
Denville NJ
May 4, 2022

I was not expecting to see an Osprey perched above #Denville Park Meadows today. Hopefully this bird catches a few trout en route to its breeding grounds.

#njnature #njphotography #jerseybirders #newjersey #nj #morriscounty #denvillenj #downtowndenville

Rock Pear Mountain in Kinnelon NJ

Rock Pear Mountain
Kinnelon NJ

Morning #njnature hike to a lesser known #MorrisCounty open space. Nice rocky views of the New Jersey Highlands combined with some litter cleanup.

We parked on Miller Drive in Fayson Lakes and hiked in opposite the Green Acres sign post.

Painted Turtles at Great Swamp NWR

Painted Turtles

Great Swamp NWR

New Jersey

April 2022

Taken on a warm spring day, a multitude of Painted Turtles were swimming to and fro near the Sportsmen Blind. Visit Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge’s Wildlife Observation Center on Long Hill Road in Gillette New Jersey.

Spotted Turtles In Spring

Spotted Turtles In Spring
Great Swamp NWR
New Jersey
April 2022

I was able to observe the male (left) Spotted Turtle courting the female (right) on the boardwalk nearest the Sportsmen Blind.

Troy Brook in Winter 02132022

Troy Brook in Winter

Troy Meadows

Parsippany NJ

2.13.22

Taken on a mild winter morning, I was the first person to lay down footprints in the fresh blanket of snow on a peaceful walk along the Troy Brook.

Sony A7R3 + Tokina 20mm

Winter View of Troy Brook, February 2022

Winter View of Troy Brook, February 2022

Troy Meadows

Parsippany NJ

This morning I set out to Troy Meadows to grab a few aerial shots to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Natural Landmarks program. Wildlife Preserves continues to proactively manage Troy Meadows for the benefit of native wildlife.

Learn more about the National Natural Landmark program – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Natural_Landmark

Learn more about Wildlife Preserves Inc – https://www.wildlifepreserves.org