You can download a  free release here: Download 2013-njmc-cleanup release

We were afraid that posting Quincy Magoo's quasi-artistic portfolio on April 1 might intimidate others from submitting their images, and so far it turns out we were right. So prove us wrong.

In an effort to showcase the talents of our Maedowlands nature photographers, and to get more folks to appreciate the natural beauty of the Meadowlands, we started a new feature,"Monday Photography Showcase," earlier this year.

We invite photographers to send in three of their favorite Meadowlands images, a brief bio, a little squib about why they love photographing here, and a link to their online pages. (A photo of yourself would be great, too!)

Images must be from the Meadowlands, and should be around 150K.

If you don't watermark them, we'll add a copyright for you. Email your photos to jim.wright@njmeadowlands.gov, and feel free to suggest ways to make the showcase better.

We'll give it a try, and keep it going for as long as there's interest out there.

In the left-hand column of this blog, you can see samples of other photographers' showcases. Quincy Magoo asked we not post his, and we have honored his wishes.

The NJMC is pleased to announce that starting this weekend, DeKorte Park will again be open from 8 a.m. to dusk daily. The  Environment Center (and its gift shop and restrooms) reopens Saturday as well. The Transco Trail  reopens from the  administration building to the western spur of the N.J. Turnpike.

Note:  Park visitors must NOT go beyond any orange fencing. Also, you must stay on the trail. The green mesh covering the berm next to the trail is protecting young plants, and it is dangerous to walk on. Questions? See a park attendant. The NJMC appreciates your patience while hurricane-related repairs are being made to the park and its trail system.

Dennis Cheeseman dares you to ID all nine of the these Meadowlands Sparrows!

Yesterday we asked, what kind of sparrow is this, and why is it a tad unusual? 

It's a White-crowned Sparrow and it's unusual because… 

 It's banded. Congrats to Mike Girone for answering correctly!

So what if Wrestlemania got 80,000 folks at Metlife Stadium last night, and Wren-o-Mania only got 50-some folks on Sunday morning?

Our event was free, and we had great prolonged looks at Brown Creeper (right), which is more than can be said for that other event. 

As far as we know, neither event had a wren, although we would have gone to the mat to find one.

We also got to see the beautiful spring flowers of DeKorte Park.

Other highlights included: 

Great looks at American Kestrels, Tree Sparrows and Tree Swallows, a nice assortment of duckage, and a noon high-flying immature Bald Eagle seen by some.

Full list follows.(And thanks to Natalie Gregorio for the official Wren-o-Mania team photo! We broke into smaller groups to look at birds.)

If you want to be cc'd on the following eBird report so it will be included in your ebird sightings, e-mail Jim Wright at jim.wright (at) njmeadowlands.gov

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Ray Duffy writes:

"I saw two Osprey on the Carlstadt radio tower.  It looked like the one returned with a fish at the old nest location.

"Also had my first Hermit Thrush and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in Schmidt's Woods on Sunday."  (Thanks, Ray!)

What kind of sparrow this is, and why is it unusual?  Photographed Friday in Harrier Meadow.

Answers tomorrow.

We had 60+ folks for Bergen County Audubon Society's Birding For Beginners Class and walk at DeKorte this afternoon.

Highlight of the walk — a pair of close-in Blue-winged Teal in the Shorebird Pool.

Photo of one is above.

We will print the full list of species that were seen — including a rare Treehog — later this week.

We had a great turnout (50 folks) for our DeKorte Walk this morning. We didn't see any wrens, but we sure saw a lot of of other nifty species, topped off by a Bald Eagle overhead at 11:58 a.m.  Highlight of the morning: a Brown Creeper that loved having its picture taken. 

(The shot above was taken by Roy Woodford this morning — thanks, Roy!)

Tomorrow: The full list of what was seen on the walk.