Yesterday afternoon on the way home Marc noticed a Tweet announcing a Virginia Rail at Abingdon Square Park, which is a rare occurrence for a very small park. It was a life bird for me. There was about a dozen other birders there, most of whom I know. We had cameras and binoculars, which amused the locals. The Virginia Rail seemed quite comfortable. It was feeding on dozens of worms and dodging around the legs of the people sitting on the benches.
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Abingdon Square 9/29/2019
There are so many things to do on Governors Island. We rented a surrey and peddled around. I photographed the Commanding Officer’s Quarters and the Fort Jay Theater. We stopped for a picnic. Then climbed the Hills. We ended the day by relaxing in seclusion on the hammocks.
Commanding Officer’s quarters, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Commanding Officer’s quarters – now the American Indian Community House, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Lenape symbology at the American Indian Community House, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Governors Island 8/26/2019
Fort Jay Theater, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Fort Jay Theater, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Picnic Point, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Picnic Point, Governors Island 8/26/2019
The Hills, Governors Island 8/27/2019
Bench Mark on the highest Hill, Governors Island 8/26/2019
View from the hill, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Verrazano Bridge seen from the hill, Governors Island 8/26/2019
A small assortment of wildlife on Governors Island. Do you see the spider? I didn’t see it until I opened the image at home. Bugguide.net helped me with some of the identifications.
Crab Spider (Thomisidae) on Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), Governors Island 8/27/2019
Flower Wasp (Scolii), Governors Island 8/26/2019
Flower Wasp (Scolii), Governors Island 8/26/2019
Four-toothed Mason Wasp (Monobia quadridens), Governors Island 8/26/2019
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), Governors Island 8/27/2019
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Governors Island 8/26/2019
Marc and I booked a luxury camping (glamping) stay for a night at Governors Island, NYC. I loved the tent and the shower was lovely. What a fabulous view and location. And the weather was perfect. The staff are charming and very attentive. It was very memorable, and I enjoyed my stay.
There were some negatives: I was not happy with my food. I requested items to be removed (no tomatoes, corn, wheat or dairy) and asked to have the chef give me something else as a substituted. This did not happen and I had almost thinning on my plate. I had two mouthfuls of a paper-thin beef for the starter, and two tiny pieces of chicken with a few cucumbers and onions for the main. I asked for some potatoes to help fill me up and got them for dessert. There were no nondairy or gluten free items available for breakfast. I was able to order a plate of eggs with nothing else.
The tent had some minor issues: Black stains, possibly mold, on the roof; a ceiling light didn’t work; one of the tent flap catches was missing; and there was no facial tissue in the box for it. For what we paid I expected more.
We did get a lift to the Ferry. Arriving back on Manhattan felt strange. As if I had just returned form a trip abroad.
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Tents in on Governors Island 8/26/2019
reception at Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
restaurant at Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
our tent at Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Marc at Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Sherry at the Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
rain shower at Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
our view at Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/26/2019
View from our tent at Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/27/2019
View from our tent at Collective Retreat, Governors Island 8/27/2019
We went to see the Civil War re-enactment. It was very small, but fun. I love the history and talking with the interpreters. The buildings are getting very run down. They need more money for upkeep.
We went off for a walk and saw no one. It was wonderful to explore the buildings. It is a very pretty setting and the weather was lovely that day.
Richmodtown Restoration, Staten Island 8/10/2019
Richmondtown Restoration, Staten Island 8/10/2019
Richmondtown Restoration, Staten Island 8/10/2019
Richmondtown Restoration, Staten Island 8/10/2019
Spiral Stairs, Richmondtown Restoration, Staten Island 8/10/2019
Civil Ware re-enactors, Richmondtown Restoration, Staten Island 8/10/2019
