Northern Harrier hunting meadow
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
New Jersey
November 2024
I got off 1 lucky shot on a recent walk along Pleasant Plains Road. I am always thankful for thousands of acres of preserved open space within the Great Swamp National Refuge. The habitat is likely the best for raptors in North Jersey.
Canon 77D + Tamron 150-600mm
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Groundhog Family
Waywayanda State Park
New Jersey
May 2012
Never won any awards with this shot from 10+ years ago 😆 It’s still the only time I’ve observed a group of young groundhogs (woodchucks) together.
Canon 7D + Tamron 18-270mm
Great Brook in Late Summer
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Morris County NJ
August 2023
The Purple Loosestrife was in full bloom today near Long Hill Road.
Canon M5 + 18-150mm
Five-lined Skink
Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Bergen County NJ
June 2023
The blue coloration on immature skinks is always very striking! Five-lined Skinks are the only wild lizard found in North Jersey. Adult males have large orange heads while females are more of a bronze coloration. Adult skinks do not have blue tails.
Never seen a Skink? You’d need to be hiking near a natural body of water w/o pesticides or perhaps near rocky cliffs in New Jersey.
Canon 77D +Tamron 100-400mm
Lake Arrowhead Dock in Fog
Denville, New Jersey
By using a wide angle interchangeable lens I was able to draw in the foreground greenery to add some embellishing to this image. A good landscape image is all about carefully and knowingly layering the components.
Morning adventures at Cape Island Wildlife Management Area
Very scenic and tranquil area off of a Cape May backroad (see map screenshot). I drove to the end of Cresse Lane to get here. The dirt road access is very rutted up so proceed with caution. The area looks like it is mostly used for hunting and as a swimming hole. Very nice meadow section which appears to be a former pasture. A migratory Kestrel flew off as I entered the meadow.
Cape May County NJ
#njnature #njphotography #njartist #njwoods #njhiking #capemay #capeisland #newjersey
A historic (and beautiful Cresse house) is just before the WMA on this street. It looks like the Cresse family has been in Cape May for a long time https://www.capemay.com/blog/2009/11/whalers-the-link-to-our-past/
A few quick views from one of my favorite local vistas.
Photographer taking a shot of NYC in the distance. Wildcat Ridge WMA Hawk Watch, September 2017, photo by Dave Blinder.
The Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Hawk Watch also serves as an unofficial community center for nature observation and study.
International Hawk Week banner. Wildcat Ridge WMA Hawk Watch, September 2017, photo by Dave Blinder.
A great service to the public has been provided by Bill Gallagher and more recent NJ Fish&Wildlife Volunteers. Bill will be missed.
Volunteer Frank Bundy tallies passing raptors. Wildcat Ridge WMA Hawk Watch, September 2017, photo by Dave Blinder.
These giving folks greet newcomers to the hawkwatch and provide birdwatching knowledge and tips to all.
Visitors come to discuss migration. Wildcat Ridge WMA Hawk Watch, September 2017, photo by Dave Blinder.
The volunteers also provide raptor migration data sheets to NJF&W and other wildlife monitoring organizations.
Visitors take in the panoramic view. Wildcat Ridge WMA Hawk Watch, September 2017, photo by Dave Blinder.
Visit the Wildcat Ridge WMA Hawk Watch this Fall. Parking is available at the far end of Upper Hibernia Road in Rockaway Twp NJ. Ascend the gravel road on foot 6/10 of a mile before turning for Hawk Watch access. Bring binoculars, water, and a snack.
Visit the WCR Enhancement Website for more detailed visitor information.
Dave Blinder Nature Photography 