Despite the gloomy forecast, 11 of us went for a 
walk that turned out just fine. Highlights included a Brown Creeper, a Redtail up-close, a Hermit Thrush, Black-crowned Night Heron, White-crowned Sparrows and a bazillion Yellow-rumps.
We will post the full list later in the week, including a surprisingly nifty shot of the Brown Creeper in action.
The free walk was sponsored by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society.
Here's a bit of a mystery, as IDs of perched 
raptors can be.
We photographed this guy on Valley Brook Ave, yesterday morning.
We are thinking Cooper's Hawk, because of the rounded tail and general shape and size.
What do you think?
Showers are forecast for Tuesday morning, so dress accordingly.
The Meadowlands Commission's next free nature walk with Bergen County Audubon is tomorrow, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. at DeKorte Park.
We'll look for newly arrived White-crowned Sparrows and new waterfowl (like these two Pintails above, photographed on Oct. 21, 2008, at DeKorte), plus any lingering shorebirds and a raptor or two.
Details follow.
We have been seeing lots of Yellow-rumps all over the Meadowlands these days, from Disposal Road to Mill Creek Marsh, and we have to say it's bittersweet.
We can remember April, when they were coming through en route to points north, and they were so ubiquitous we almost wanted a Yellow-rump filter for the binocs. Two seasons later, we see them and realize we won't see them again till Spring — and decide that maybe there's more to them than meets the passing eye.
Dennis Cheeseman took this Yellow-rump shot last week at DeKorte. (Thanks, Dennis!)
Ron reports: The coots are back!!!
The attached image from Wednesday give evidence to their recent arrival in the Kearny Marsh.
In addition, the almost perfect camouflage of this green-winged teal is comprised only by its brightly colored wing patch.
Needless to say, the change of seasons has been extremely exciting.
(Thanks, Ron!) 
Always a good idea to check the power-line towers by DeKorte Park for raptors.
In the summer, it's usually Osprey. Today, it was a young Peregrine, perched near the park's entrance.
The guy above isn't the largest Snapping Turtle we've ever seen, but he was pretty big, and he was crossing Disposal Road near the Carillon just after lunch today.
(Reposted) Erica Mueller recently photographed a (non-poisonous) snake by the bird-banding station at the closed Erie landfill.
We know that some people don't like to view photos of snakes, so you'll have to continue reading to see a couple of photos and use a link to learn more about two types of snakes that this snake has been ID'd as — Corn or Milk. You decide! (Thanks, Erica!)