Last week we went for a picnic in the Undercliff area of the Palisades by the Hudson River. We stopped briefly at the State Line Lookout. We were driven nuts by the Lanternfly infestation so didn’t stay long. A group of birders were doing a hawk watch there.
We drove on Henry Hudson Drive down the the Undercliff Picnic Area and had a lovely bug free barbeque all by ourselves except for two other peole. After the picnic we drove to the Englewood Picnic Area by the George Washington Bridge.
First time in your blog! I loved your story and photos. I live in Finland where the nature is so different from yours.
Thank you for visiting
They’ve seen a lot of birds there, Sherry! Too bad the lanternflies are considered a pest. They have nice markings.
Thanks. I agree.
That must have been a very nice day – I remember the area in general, having lived both north and south of it and having driven along the Hudson many times. Is the Spotted lanternfly a new invasive species? I don’t remember it at all.
It was a lovely day. The Spotted Lanternfly is a terrible invasion. Google it fir details. 🪲
Hi Sherry, I live in Southern NJ and for two to three summers we were horribly infested with the lantern flies. This summer, not so much, unfortunately I also noticed the wasp population was way down too. That concerns me. A few weeks ago we drove home from New England across the Tappan Zee and down the Palisades Parkway, it is such a lovely area.
Our changing ecosystem is alarming. Thanks for sharing.
Great images. Anita
Thanks Anita
Beautiful photos, Sherry. This area is so close to so much urban activity, but it looks like wilderness.
It is wild. We drove for miles through the woods by the river without seeing anyone.
I so enjoyed these photos, Sherry–the stunning landscapes, sparkling water, inviting picnic area. I especially studied and enjoyed the bird list…that time of year for the hawk watches and so exciting. I had never seen a lanternfly before and appreciate the awfulness of the infestation, but oh what a pretty bug.
Thanks Jet. The lanternfly is spreading https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/spotted-lanternfly
I will not be surprised if it covers the entire USA soon.
I’ve been around that area numerous times: hiking, exploring, some photographing, once with my dog whom I had to carry back up the cliffs in Alpine. Likely the first time, in the late 50’s! Thanks for the memories, and the update on the unfortunate invasion of Lantern Flies. M 🙂
I,m glad I stirred up memories for you. Thanks for visiting. The lantern flies seem to move through in waves. I hope not to see so many next year.
The lanternfly is pretty, but it’s an irksome invasive — and for more than picnickers! A friend from Virginia recently posted about them. They were first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, and have spread quickly. Their favorite host apparently is another non-native: the tree known as Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima).
And nothing here likes eating them. They are a huge problem.
The lantern flies on the rusty post and the picnic area with the fences are my favourites
Thanks. Lantern flies are a pretty plague.
I love the lantern fly, very special.
That’s a lot of birds of prey over there.
It is pretty. It is sad to see it here. This area is on the migration route for birds.
That can be a problem for the migrating birds…
Not a problem for the birds. The birds ignore the lantern flies. Pity none of them like to eat them.
Flies can be a huge problem at a picnic spot! Glad you found a nice place for your barbecue. Lovely photos!
Theses lantern flies are a new plague.
Great pics, Sherry, especially the “bugs”! 😊
Thanks Tom 🪲