Black-and-White Warbler
This female Black-and-White Warbler at the Kearny Marsh appears to be training for gymnastics for the Avian Olympics! She’s one of several wonderful warblers that Ron Shields recently photographed at the marsh. More below.
Wilson’s Warbler
Redstart Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Last week I was doing some yard work, getting my garden ready for the Hummingbirds and Butterflies that I had faith would visit my tiny backyard this summer. As I was planting, weeding and performing some basic garden chores I was suddenly startled by a small slithering surprise that was hiding in a small flower pot which still held some soil from the previous year. A Brown Snake! A wonderful sight to behold, especially since it had been many years since I enjoyed the pleasure of having one of these lovely creatures grace my backyard. As it glided into the underbrush of my backyard wilderness I had a feeling of reprieve that this tiny creature still managed to survive the onslaught of suburban life.
For a young boy growing up in the Meadowlands, searching for snakes was a rite of passage. Garter, Milk and Brown Snakes occupied many of our summer days as we explored the woods and marshes of our Meadowlands home. As I grew up I came to understand how important snakes were to our environment and how my backyard inhabitant, the Northern Brown Snake, was keeping my garden healthy and in balance.