When we think of the orange butterfly of the Meadowlands, naturally we first consider butterfly royalty, the Monarch. However, there is another butterfly that exhibits the orange hue, this one much smaller in stature but no less splendid.  Sometimes overlooked by summer butterfly lovers that visit the Meadowlands, It is the tiny yet regal Pearl Crescent butterfly, a butterfly that should not be overlooked.

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Above are photos of a Marsh Wren showing off its gymanstic talent with a variation of the Iron Cross. It features the wren triumphantly spread between two stalks, with one foot on each.

In gymnastics, the Iron Cross is a difficult maneuver on the rings in which the gymnast extends  both arms straight out from the sides of the body while suspended in mid-air for at least two seconds.

Thanks to Mickey Raine, who captured the Marsh Wren striking the pose at DeKorte Park on Saturday.

Cabbage White Butterflies are beginning to make their presence known at DeKorte Park, as these photos taken last week by Mickey Raine show. We should be seeing Monarchs, Swallowtails, Skippers and more in the next month. And don’t forget Butterfly Day, on Saturday, July 30, from 10 am to 3 pm.

Our annual celebration of the winged marvels at DeKorte Park features walks, talks and plenty of activities for kids including a scavenger hunt, face painting and a butterfly costume contest. The free event is co-sponsored by the Bergen County Audubon Society and the North American Butterfly Association – North Jersey Chapter.

Below are photos from this Saturday’s BCAS Eco-Art Competiton Awards Ceremony at the Meadowlands Environment Center. See previous post for complete list of winners. Congratulations to all who participated!

Congratulations to the winners of the BCAS 2016 Eco-Art Contest! The awards were presented on Saturday at the Meadowlands Environment Center. Below is a complete list of winners. Photos to follow.

BCAS 2016 Eco-Art Contest Winners

Participating schools:  East Brook Elementary School-Park Ridge, Emerson Jr. High, Oradell Public School, St. Joseph Academy-Bogota, West Ridge Elementary School-Park Ridge

Grade 2–

1st Place-Maya E.

2nd Place-Arianna D.

3rd Place-Madison K.

Honorable Mention–

Celine A., Kathleen B., Annabel L., Leila S., Carly S.

Merit–

Julia B., Elizabeth B., Samantha D., John M., Veer M.,

Grade 3–

1^st Place-Sharon S.

2^nd Place-Anna A.

3^rd Place-Adam A.

Honorable Mention–

Kate D., Kiera M., Connor O., Aldila S., Ava Z.

Merit–

Eleni D., Madison O., Gabriel T., John S., Brynn W.

Grade 4–

1^st Place-Hailey D.

2^nd Place-Nirvana R.

3^rd Place-Sophia C.

Honorable Mention–

Olivia B., Dillon B., Aubrey L., Omar L., Sophia T.

Merit–

Ava K., Myla L., John M., Daniel S., Christopher W.

Grade 5–

1^st Place-Yuya N.

2^nd Place-Audrey G.

3^rd Place-Michelle M.

Honorable Mention–

John L., Elizabeth M., Mary P., Christina V., Olivia W.

Merit–

Abigail D., Caitlin G., Alexis H., Aidan L., Kyra S.

Grade 6–

1^st Place-Sam S.

2^nd Place-Elena L.

3^rd Place-Vivel V.

Honorable Mention–

Caroline B., Nyhiem J., David M., Alexander M., Emma M.

Merit–

Hayley L., Sophie L., Emma B., Catalina M., Sara V.

Grade 7–

1^st Place-Joey Z.

2^nd Place-Julia F.

3^rd Place-Liana R.

Honorable Mention–

Emily D., Alexander D., Chloe F., Daniella N., Ashley-Kate O.

Merit–

Katherine H., John J., Christian M., Ashlyn S., Joshua T.

Prizes–

All winners received a certificate and prize ribbon.

1^st Place-Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeder, seed & poster, a Jr. Birder book and a$25.00 Barnes & Noble gift certificate

2^nd Place-Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeder, seed & poster, a Jr. Birder book and a $20.00 Barnes & Noble gift certificate

3^rd Place- Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeder, seed & poster, a Jr. Birder book and a $15.00 Barnes & Noble gift certificate

Honorable Mention and Merit winners received a Why Birds Matter poster.

Each school received a PBS Nature DVD.

Ron Shields tell us this cute little guy is the youngest Least Bittern he’s ever photographed. From a recent excursion to the Kearny Marsh. Adorable!

While pointing out Pokeweed during the Native Plant Walk on Sunday in DeKorte Park, Don Torino informed us that the perennial was the inspiration for the 1968 Tony Joe White tune, “Polk Salad Annie.” I looked it up on Youtube – great lyrics and a sound reminiscent of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Elvis would later cover the song.
Check out the original and Elvis versions!

Sunday’s Native Plant Walk at DeKorte was very, very informative. Unfortunately the walk got cut from two hours to one because of the rain, but it’s amazing how much can be covered in that time frame.

We did not have to walk far, as every few feet there was a different type of native vegetation, from Spicebush and three varieties of Milkweed, to Mayapple and Inkberry. Alice Leurck took a number of photos, a sampling of which are below.

Our guide, BCAS President Don Torino, told us everything we needed to know about how and where to plant native vegetation in our own backyard gardens. He also pointed out non-native species that are not good for gardens. This is important because many people buy them for their aesthetics not realizing there are better, native plants that will attract birds, butterflies and pollinators.

 

Let’s start the week off with a series of great photos that Mickey Raine got of flora and fauna last Tuesday at DeKorte and Mill Creek Marsh. We’ll have a recap of yesterday’s weather abbreviated yet well worth it DeKorte Native Plant Walk in a bit.

 

 

Here’s the last batch of Memorial Day photos by Mickey Raine from Mill Creek Marsh and DeKorte Park. Hope they brighten up your afternoon!