Jim Wright, who keeps this blog for the  Meadowlands Commission, will present a free talk and slide show on the birds of the Meadowlands on Tuesday, March 1, at the Hackensack River Canoe and Kayak Club.

The talk will feature some once endangered birds and some nifty color photos that Jim has taken in the Meadowlands in the past 2.5 years. The emphasis will be on birds that can be seen on the river.

Jim will also include photos of other critters he has seen along the river and its marshes  — from Diamondback Terrapins to Fiddler Crabs.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Elks Club in Paramus, with Jim's talk to begin around 7:30 p.m. More info and driving directions follow.

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The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Flyway Gallery is hosting "NatureScapes," an exhibit by members of the Art Center Watercolors Affiliates, through the end of March.

The exhibit features watercolors and acrylics capturing the four seasons by more than a dozen artists including Diane Nafash of River Edge, Marcia Rieff of Glen Rock and Peggy Dressel of Oakland (her watercolor entitled "NJ Marsh" is above).

More info and paintings follow.

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We have not seen any Rough-legs of late, but this Red-shouldered was hanging out on Disposal Road near the entrance to DeKorte Park yesterday afternoon.

(Thanks to Kevin Bolton for the photo on right!)

DeKorte Park had a chattering Belted Kingfisher and plenty of ducks, including Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Ruddies and Canvasbacks.

Kearny Marsh yielded American Coots, a couple of Ruddies and Northern Shovelers. A Bald Eagle was hanging out by the Keegan Landfill to the south.

4 p.m. Wednesday.

Brian Anderson of The South Bergenite has a neat story on the recent Bald Eagle sightings in the Meadowlands in the editions published today.

Here are the first two paragraphs:

Of all the birds of North America, the American Bald Eagle is a bird that carries with it a mystique for many Americans. Its white head, yellow beak and never-back-down stare inspire pride in the hearts of many.

For local residents, catching a glimpse of this noble bird won't require a vacation to Cape Canaveral, FL, or Alaska—a quick car ride to the Meadowlands and a bit of luck might be enough to see a bald eagle in the wild.

The link to the full story is here.

We have to confess that Tuesday's teaser was a bit goofy — about a lone duck on some floating ice in Teal Pool.

We asked readers to submit their own captions to supplement our suggestions — "Cold Duck" and "Go with the floe."

Here are readers' captions:

Thanks to all. It's clearly been a long winter.

We saw this Turkey Vulture over Disposal Road late last week. Curiously, had not seen one over Disposal Road in recent memory.

Our diurnal raptor species list is now a dozen: two accipiters, three buteos, three falcons, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Northern Harrier and Turkey Vulture. Not bad for one stretch of road.

We saw this lone duck on some floating ice in Teal Pool on Friday. Name the bird and pick your caption:

1. Cold Duck.

2. Go with the floe.

3. Submit your own caption.

Jim Wright, who keeps this blog for the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, will present a free talk and slide show on the birds of the Meadowlands on Tuesday, March 1, at the Hackensack River Canoe and kayak Club.

The talk will feature some once endangered birds and some nifty color photos that Jim has taken in the Meadowlands in the past 2.5 years. The emphasis will be on birds that can be seen on the river.

Jim will also include photos of other critters he has seen along the river and its marshes  — from Diamondback Terrapins to Fiddler Crabs.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Elks Club in Paramus, with Jim's talk to begin around 7:30 p.m.

The group's website is here.

The Paramus Elks Club is located behind Raymour & Flanagan at 200 Rt. 17 North in Paramus, one mile north of Rt. 4; a half mile north of Century Road. It is immediately past Paramus Chevrolet Auto Mall.

If you miss R&F's driveway, you can park in Ramsey Outdoor Store's parking lot and walk. Click here for Google map & driving directions.