Thanks to Mickey Raine for these great scenic and wildlife shots taken at DeKorte on Friday. As Mickey says about traversing Meadowlands parks and natural areas:

The wide open spaces seem to have a special allure, a kind that allows one to enjoy a sense of quiet solitude and reflection if so chooses, but on the other hand, meeting some very fine folks on any given day can also be very rewarding.  We have met many who have become good friends over the years.

More to come from Mickey later today!

Photo of Laurel Hill County Park taken from DeKorte Park

Northern Harrier

Northern Harrier

Common Merganser

Hooded Mergansers

Check out today’s Record for a story on yesterday’s Save the Eagles Rally in Ridgefield! There’s also a video interview with Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino. The story spotlights the incredible comeback of Bald Eagles in the region but notes that we still have a long way to go in ensuring that the resurgence is sustained.

Many thanks to Dennis Cheeseman, who took these great shots of an American Tree Sparrow and Northern Harrier during lunch today at River Barge Park!

As we maneuver between spring like weather and living in the Arctic tundra we can’t help being teased by Mother Nature and have thoughts of the coming spring and the warmer weather ahead.

I love to daydream of Orioles feeding on Trumpet vine, Monarch caterpillars munching on milkweed and Hummingbirds visiting Cardinal Flower.

And so, after many of our BCAS Wildlife Garden volunteers began e-mailing me asking about our plans for the upcoming spring I thought it was about time for all of us to dig out our native plant books and think about new plants we could add to our existing backyard wildlife gardens to make them even better. If you have not yet set aside a place for nature in your backyard, begin to make plans to help our birds and butterflies this coming spring.

Continue reading →

Ravens

As promised, here are some more great photos by Joe Koscielny taken during yesterday’s Bergen County Audubon Society walk at DeKorte Park. Missed out? No worries. Join the next BCAS Meadowlands Nature Walk, also at DeKorte, on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 10 am to noon.

For more information contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Raven

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

House Finch

Many thanks to Joe Koscielny for these excellent photos taken during yesterday’s Bergen County Audubon Society guided walk at DeKorte Park, including those now-omnipresent Bald Eagles. We’ll have more from Joe before the end of the day, so stay tuned!

Mallards

Northern Cardinal

Eagles continue to make themselves very visible this month. Here are some great shots Dennis Cheeseman got earlier this afternoon at River Barge Park and Mill Creek Marsh, with a Common Merganser thrown in for good measure. Thanks Dennis!

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society this Sunday, Jan. 21, as they host a “Save the Eagles Day – Rally for the Environment. The event is held at the end of Bell Drive in Ridgefield, across from our favorite Eagles nest, from 1 to 3 pm. The day will focus on eagles, climate change, the Endangered Species Act and other environmental issues.

For more info contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Check out these awesome photos Dennis Cheeseman took of a Red-Tailed Hawk earlier this afternoon at DeKorte. Thanks Dennis!

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society for a guided nature walk of DeKorte Park tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 10 am to noon. They’ll be looking for waterfowl, wintering birds and sparrows, among others.

For more info contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.