Wells Mills County Park, NJ

Today we took a short drive to Wells Mills.  There is an old cabin that sits on the shore line of Wells Mills Lake.  Near the cabin were some white domesticated ducks that frequent the area. 

The trail to the area of the Atlantic White Cedar Swamps, our destination, is a short hike which leads to the beautiful swamp area complete with narrow walkways that cross over the streams, ponds and swamps of predominantly Atlantic White Cedars. 

After the harsh winter we had there were a lot of Atlantic White Cedars that lay fallen on the forest floor.  The peace and quiet, of today, is not at all like the scene that surely befell this area of magnificent Atlantic White Cedars.  The wind, snow, sleet and stormy blizzard like conditions that engulfed the lake and surrounding area, could easily be imagined in the silence.  Not even the sound of the tall White Cedars creaking in the wind, as is so often the case, could be heard...

Brigantine Wildlife Refuge - Winter Birding

After so many cloudy, snowy days, it was a pleasure to see the sunshine today.  We decided it was a good day to take a drive.  The eight mile loop at Brigantine was just the perfect get-a-way!

There was not a cloud in the sky.  The ground still had snow in spots.  There were the usual wildlife, Canada Geese, Black ducks, Mallards and Brant among others.  We also saw large flocks of snow geese off in the distance. 

What made our day was to see the falcon, with its pointed wings, gliding high up over the marsh, then with a bird in its sight and wings folded back over its body, took a semi-steep dive over the marsh after the bird.  This time the bird, was the victor, and escaped the clutches of the hawk!  

Till the next outing...