Jill Ann Ziemkiewicz, for whom DeKorte Park’s beautiful butterfly garden is named, died 18 years ago Thursday.

She was part of the crew of TWA Flight 800, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Long Island on July 17, 1996.

Jill’s Garden, with its wonderful array of blooming flowers and butterfly bushes, is an amazing yet tranquil place.

The Meadowlands Commission decided to hold Butterfly Day in late July in part to honor her memory.

Elaine Raine photographed several butterflies and a clear-winged moth in Jill’s Garden yesterday.   We share them now. (Thank you, Elaine.)

You can read more about the flight and the crew here and here.

Our next two big family events at DeKorte Park are Moth Night on Monday, July 21, followed by Butterfly Day on Sunday, July 27, and they are both free. Scroll down the blog for details on both.

Saw it in the usual spot — Sawmill Creek mudflats in DeKorte Park — just before lunch. If you haven’t seen it yet, please stop by. A spotting scope is highly recommended.

Just a quick shot of sandpipers bathing and napping at River Barge Park on Wednesday afternoon.  At one point probably 100 in flight.

Also have heard reports of a Boat-tailed Grackle there. Did not see Black Skimmers yesterday, though.