New Jersey

Pine Barrens Lepidoptera

Sherry Felix2 Comments

We attended a field trip to the Pine Barrens in New Jersey. The trip was led by Rick Ceck. It was organized by the Linnaean Society of NY. The trip was focused on butterflies. A good source for what might be seen is at the New Jersey Butterfly Club. It was a log trip and covered at least 4 locations in southern New Jersey. The group saw 15 species of lepidoptera.

A black butterfly perched on green leaves in a natural setting.
Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios), IWarren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
A close-up of a dark butterfly resting on green leaves, showcasing its unique wing patterns.
Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios), IWarren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
A close-up image of a blue butterfly resting on dark soil.
Atlantic Holly Azure (Celastrina idella), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Two butterflies resting on a bed of dried leaves in a natural setting.
Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis), Tuckahoe WM, Woodbine NJ 5/3/2025
A butterfly resting on a sandy surface surrounded by small stones and colorful leaves in the Pine Barrens.
Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025
A pale green butterfly resting near small white flowers with purple markings among green grass and foliage.
Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) on Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025
A close-up image of a butterfly resting on green leaves and grass in the Pine Barrens.
Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025
A butterfly perched on small white flowers in the Pine Barrens.
Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025
A colorful butterfly perched on small white flowers, surrounded by green foliage.
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025

Celery Farm Plants

Sherry Felix5 Comments

A small sampling of spring flowers at the Celery Farm.

Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor), A cluster of delicate blue flowers.
Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor), The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
Crabapple (Malus sp.), Close-up of pink flower buds on a leafy branch against a blurred background.
Crabapple (Malus sp.), The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea), A close-up of blooming purple flowers.
Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea),
The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
Branches of a tree adorned with delicate pink and green leaves, showcasing the beauty of spring foliage.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum), The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025

Celery Farm Wildlife

Sherry Felix6 Comments

There were dozens of huge Snapping Turtles. The highlight of the day was the Eastern Screech Owl that a kind person showed us.

A great egret standing in calm waters, reflecting its silhouette on the surface, surrounded by reeds.
Great Egret (Ardea alba), The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
Two turtles resting on a log in a calm reflective water body, surrounded by trees.
Painted Turtle (Emydidae Chrysemys picta), The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A turtle partially submerged in calm water, with ripples and reflections of trees visible on the surface.
Snapplng Turtle (Chelydra), The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A deer nibbling on grass in a natural setting, with soft green background and dry foliage.
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A camouflaged owl perched inside a hollow in a tree trunk, blending into the textured bark.
Eastern screech owl (Megascops asio), The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025

Celery Farm

Sherry Felix14 Comments

Exploring new places to go using Google maps I found a lovely little nature preserve called the Celery Farm. The Celery Farm is a 107-acre freshwater wetland in Allendale, New Jersey. See more about it here: The Fyke Nature Association.

A serene view of a freshwater wetland at the Celery Farm, showcasing calm water reflecting the surrounding trees and sky.
Lake Appert, The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
Reflection of branches in calm water with grassy wetlands in the background.
Lake Appert, The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A serene walking path surrounded by lush, green trees in a nature preserve, showcasing fresh foliage under a clear sky.
The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A scenic pathway through a lush green landscape at the Celery Farm nature preserve, surrounded by trees and wetlands.
The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A serene view of a pond surrounded by trees with reflections in the water under a cloudy sky.
Phair’s Pond, The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A serene pathway through a lush nature preserve, lined with trees and tall grasses, inviting exploration.
The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A tranquil scene of the Celery Farm nature preserve featuring tall grasses, a variety of trees in autumn colors, and a cloudy sky reflecting the serene wetland landscape.
The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025
A winding dirt path through a lush nature preserve with trees and tall grasses in Allendale, New Jersey.
The Celery Farm NA 4/22/2025

Birds and Details at Branch Brook

Sherry Felix2 Comments

My third post on Branch Brook. I used a colored flash on the white cherries.

A small bird perched among blooming cherry blossom branches, with soft pastel colors in the background.
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) on a cherry branch, Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A small bird climbing a tree trunk with a textured bark, captured in natural light.
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A small bird climbing on a tree trunk with a textured bark background.
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A bird hidden among pink cherry blossom flowers, with soft focus on the background.
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) on a Cjherry branch, Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
Close-up of pink cherry blossom buds and flowers on a branch.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
Close-up of white cherry blossoms on a branch, with a blurred background of greenery.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
Close-up view of pink cherry blossom flowers against a blurred green background.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025

Landscapes at Branch Brook

Sherry Felix5 Comments

This is my second post on Branch Brook Park. There are some sky replacements, I added a castle (last image), and erased people.

A scenic view of Branch Brook Park featuring blooming cherry blossom trees with a historic building in the background under a cloudy sky.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A tranquil view of a lake surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees, with a bridge in the background and a clear blue sky.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A serene view of Branch Brook Park featuring cherry blossom trees in bloom along the water's edge, a calm lake reflecting the sky, and a bridge in the background.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A serene view of Branch Brook Park featuring blooming cherry blossom trees along the water's edge, with a stone bridge in the background and a calm lake reflecting the sky.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A serene view of a sparkling lake surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees, with a historic castle-like structure visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A picturesque path lined with blooming cherry blossom trees under a clear blue sky in Branch Brook Park.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A close-up view of pink cherry blossom branches hanging over a calm lake, with blooming cherry trees in the background.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A serene lakeside scene in Branch Brook Park featuring a fountain, surrounded by flowering trees under a pastel sky.
Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025

Cherries at Branch Brook

Sherry Felix13 Comments

I looked up where to see cherry blossoms. Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey came up as one of the best in the nation.

History: Branch Brook Park – Wikipedia

A serene view of cherry blossom trees in full bloom near a calm body of water, with soft pink and white flowers contrasting against a clear blue sky.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
Pathway lined with blooming cherry blossom trees in Branch Brook Park, Newark, New Jersey.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A scenic view of cherry blossom trees in full bloom near a calm lake, with blue skies and a bridge in the background.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
Cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park, Newark, New Jersey, with a view of a historic building in the background against a clear blue sky.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A scenic view of cherry blossom trees in full bloom by a peaceful pond, showcasing vibrant white flowers against a clear blue sky.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A blooming cherry blossom tree with cascading pink flowers, surrounded by lush green foliage and yellow daffodils in the foreground.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
Scenic view of Branch Brook Park showing cherry blossom trees in full bloom, with a pond and grassy area in the foreground.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A scenic view of Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey, featuring blooming cherry blossom trees beside a calm water body on a sunny day.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025
A picturesque scene featuring a flowering cherry tree with delicate pink blossoms, set against a blue sky and a tranquil pond in the background.
Cherry Trees at Branch Brook Park 4/9/2025

Lower Bay Birds

Sherry Felix5 Comments

To wrap up my posts of the American Princes pelagic boat trip here are a few more birds. At the end of the trip, the boat hit a sand bar at the entrance to Sheepshead Bay. This happened because of a very low tide. After freeing the boat, the captain took us to see more birds while waiting for the tide to come in. I apologize for the poor quality of the horned grebe photo but it is all I have.

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), NY/NJ Bight 3/29/2025
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), Sandy Hook 3/29/2025
Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer), Sandy Hook 3/29/2025
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), Sandy Hook 3/29/2025
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus), Sandy Hook 3/29/2025
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), Sandy Hook 3/29/2025