Check out this shot Rich Brown got a couple days ago at DeKorte of a Great Egret with some smaller – and slower – friends, a pair of Painted Turtles. Rich also sent in photos of a Savannah Sparrow and an Osprey.

Is it just me or does this Tree Swallow have the disposition of a general? Thanks to Dennis Cheeseman for the photo from DeKorte today. Below, mating Tree Swallows, a  White-Crowned Sparrow splish splashing and some blooming Dogwoods. Thanks Dennis!

Can’t get enough of those irrestible Tree Swallows! Here are some taken last week at Mill Creek Marsh by Mickey Raine, along with Green-winged Teal and a Greater Yellowlegs.

Happy Monday! We greet the new week with some great photos taken last week by Mickey Raine of Osprey at River Barge Park and photos from last year of those super-cute Harbor Seals that love to sun themselves on the docks. Here’s hoping they return soon! We’ll have plenty more from Mickey later today.

Mickey Raine sent in some great photos of Osprey at River Barge Park. Several news articles have recently noted their comeback and it’s just a reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship to help these and other species thrive.

We’ll have more from Mickey later today, including those adorable Harbor Seals who are  back sunning themselves on the docks at River Barge Park. Great photos, Mickey!

Left to right: Jeff Zielinski, Brian Wlodawski, Michael Stepowyj, Fawzia Shapiro

Congratulations to the joint New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) – Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI) team that took First Place in the 30^th Annual New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection GIS Mapping Contest in the “Small Format” category!

The team consists of MERI’s Brian Wlodawski and Michael Stepowyj and the NJSEA’s Fawzia Shapiro and Jeff Zielinski. They created an Open Space map of the Meadowlands District as part of the Authority’s participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS). The map delineates parkland, natural areas and other open spaces as well as special flood hazard areas.

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Palm Warbler

A warm welcome to new blog contributor Dede Kotler! Dede took these photos during Tuesday’s Harrier Meadow walk. We look forward to seeing more from Dede in the future. Have a friend who may be interested in contributing? They can email their photos to brian.aberback@njmeadowlands.gov

Savannah Sparrow

Northern Mockingbird

Harrier Meadow

Always keep your eyes peeled at DeKorte. Our own Gabrielle Bennett-Meany found this Robin doing its best to stay camoflauged.

We have come a long way since the first Earth Day 47 years ago. The Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act have helped bring back the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Osprey from the brink of extinction to where they have become almost a common sight here in the Meadowlands.

But even as climate change threatens the future of our planet, our biggest challenge ahead may be getting people to reconnect with the nature that exists right around them, every day, in their local communities and even in their own backyards.

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

We’ll end the day as we started, with a final round of photos taken during yesterday’s Harrier Meadow walk. Thanks to Joe Koscielny for helping us finish the day with some great photos!

Greater Yellowlegs

Savannah Sparrow

Palm Warbler

Red-tailed Hawk

Great Egret

Killdeer