The William D. McDowell Observatory in DeKorte Park begins a new month of programming tomorrow night.

Free public access is from 7 to 10 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday nights  this month — weather permitting, of course.

Dress for the weather; with the dome open, you are basically outside.

Each evening at least two major objects in the night sky will be viewed, plus one or two other celestial objects or events depending on the observing conditions.

For more information about free public viewing nights and to check out the observatory's website, click here.

For a South Bergenite column by the NJMC's Jim Wright about the observatory, click here.

Don Torino's latest column on the wildnewjersey.tv blog is on Mill Creek Marsh. Here's a sample:

"The ancient cedar stumps were frozen over on this 16 degree morning. The ice made a beautiful frame for the spartina grass and the gray birch trees looked like a late Christmas card.

"As I made the first turn, white-throated song sparrows and American tree sparrows crisscrossed the snow covered trail. Mourning doves exploded from the grass, and goldfinches traversed the marsh with their roller coaster flight. It was worth getting out of bed."

The link is here.

 
Dennis Cheeseman offered this DeKorte Ducky Daily Double. Both pix taken earlier this month. Can you ID them?

Answers tomorrow.