New Jersey

Greenbrook

Sherry Felix5 Comments

A few photographs from May in Greenbrook Sanctuary. The last one with the fallen tree in the pond I colorized.

A close-up of a bird perched on a branch against a clear blue sky.
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), Greenbrook 5/10/2025
A tranquil lake surrounded by lush greenery and trees reflecting on the water's surface.
Greenbrook Pond 5/10/2025
Close-up of a yellow and white flowering plant emerging from brown leaves in a forest setting.
American Cancer-root (Conopholis americana), Greenbrook 5/10/2025
Close-up of a tree trunk with exposed roots and rocks, surrounded by green foliage in a forest setting.
Tree Hugging a Rock, Greenbrook 5/10/2025
A fallen tree in a serene lake surrounded by lily pads, with vibrant red foliage reflecting in the water.
Fallen Tree in Greenbrook Pond
5/10/2025

E B Forsythe Mix

Sherry Felix7 Comments

The purple Martins are in their little aprtments. The Oystercatcher looked like it was nesting right next to the road. I saw a small dark shape on the road. It was a box turtle. Some of its shell was scraped off on top, and its back leges were hanging out. We picked it up and it pulled in its legs. I think somone ran over it and it was still in shock. We put it in the grass. I hope it is OK.

Two dark-colored birds perched on a thin wire against a gray background.
Purple Martin (Progne subis), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A shorebird wading in shallow water, with intricate brown and tan plumage and a long, straight bill.
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A bird standing on green grass near a sandy area, with a blurred background of water and rocks.
Willet (Tinga semipalmata), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A bird with an orange beak and striking eyes rests on a sandy beach, near small stones and vegetation, while sitting on its eggs.
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A white heron standing on rocky terrain with green moss, focusing on the ground.
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A bird with grey plumage and yellow legs taking off from rocky and moss-covered shore in a wetland environment.
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A turtle with a dark shell and bright orange patterns walking on a wet surface.
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025

E B Forsythe in the Rain

Sherry Felix4 Comments

NOn the way home the next day after the trip to find butterflies we stopped at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. It was nice and empty becae34u of the weather. I liked the atmosphere.

A blackbird perched on a grass stalk against a blurred gray background, raindrops visible on its feathers.
E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A great blue heron standing in shallow water at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, with seagulls flying above and rocky shorelines in the foreground.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) with Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A group of black and white birds with orange beaks standing in shallow water at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A group of shorebirds foraging on a wet, muddy surface in a wildlife refuge, with patches of green vegetation in the background and a cloudy sky.
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
Three shorebirds foraging in shallow water among green vegetation and patches of mud.
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
An osprey perched on a wooden post near a wetland, with green grass and a river in the background. The scene is overcast and shows raindrops, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A great blue heron wading through shallow water in a quiet natural setting.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025
A small bird standing in shallow water during rain, foraging with its beak down.
Dunlin (Calidris alpina), E B Forsythe NWR, NJ 5/4/2025

Ocean City Rookery

Sherry Felix6 Comments

We stopped by the rookery at Ocean City during our Pine Barrens trip to see the nesting birds. Marc made the photograph of the White Ibis with her eggs.

A black-crowned night heron perched on a branch, surrounded by lush green foliage.
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Ocean City NJ 5/3/2025
A white bird standing on a nest with eggs, surrounded by green foliage.
American white ibis (Eudocimus albus), Ocean City NJ 5/3/2025
A white egret with long, elegant plumes stands on a nest surrounded by green foliage in a natural setting.
Ocean City NJ 5/3/2025
A white ibis standing on green foliage with a blurred background of water and land.
American white ibis (Eudocimus albus), Ocean City NJ 5/3/2025
A great egret flying with a twig in its beak against a backdrop of water and trees.
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Ocean City NJ 5/3/2025
A striped bird perched on green leaves, foraging in a natural setting.
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Ocean City NJ 5/3/2025

Pine Barrens Mix

Sherry Felix2 Comments

Rick Cech led the group. He is an expert lepidopterist. I use his book, Butterflies of the East Coast: An Observer’s Guide: Cech, Rick, Tudor, Guy: Amazon.com, to identify butterflies.

Two people, a woman and a man, are standing in a forested area, observing plants. The woman is wearing a patterned blouse and has a camera, while the man is holding a walking stick and wearing a hat.
Sherry and Rick, Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
A group of three people exploring a forested area, examining plants and foliage along a dirt path surrounded by greenery.
Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
A natural landscape featuring a mix of pine trees and sandy ground, with scattered dry grass under a partly cloudy sky.
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up image of a shiny green beetle on a sandy surface.
Tiger Beetle sp. (Cincindela), Tuckahoe WM, Woodbine NJ 5/3/2025
A close-up image of a small brown toad camouflaged among leaves and twigs in a natural setting.
American Toad (Bufo Americanus), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025
A bee collecting nectar from small white flowers surrounded by green leaves.
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) on Pine Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata subsp. pallida), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025

Pine Barrens Plants

Sherry Felix4 Comments

I enjoy learning about the butterflies host plants. Bearberry is the host plant for the Hoary Elfin. And blueberry is the host plant for Spring Azures. Some more information here: New Jersey Butterfly Families.

A lot of the plants that we saw are native to the area. Pyxidanthera barbulata grows in wet sands and peaty sands. It thrives in pine barrens, pine savannas, and pine flatwoods. It is also found on pocosin margins and at the edges of sandhill seepage bogs. Pyxidanthera barbulata occurs on the coast from Long Island to New Jersey and Virginia to South Carolina.

The Pine Barrens in New Jersey is home to several species of trees, including: 

  • Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), red (or swamp) maple (Acer rubella), sour gum (Nyasa sylvatica), and swamp magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) are also present in the Pine Barrens.
  • Pitch pine (Pinus rigida) is the most abundant tree in the Pine Barrens.
  • Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) is also present, but not as abundant.
  • Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and pond pine (Pinus serotina) are present and fairly commonly encountered in the southern regions of the Pine Barrens.
  • Virginia Pines are present in some areas.

New Jersey Pine Barrens history – Wikipedia

Close-up of plant leaves and pink flowers against a blurred background.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of white bell-shaped flowers with green leaves, possibly blueberry blossoms, against a blurred background.
Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of small white flowers growing among green foliage and pine needles.
Pyxidanthera, Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of a tree branch covered with green pine needles and rough bark.
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
A pathway through a pine forest, lined with trees and greenery under a clear blue sky.
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of pine tree buds surrounded by green pine needles.
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Heath Tea Azalea (Ericales), Close-up of delicate white flowers with small green leaves in the background.
Heath Tea Azalea (Ericales), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of bright yellow flowers with delicate petals, surrounded by greyish foliage.
Pine Barren Goldenheather (Hudsonia ericoides), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of branches featuring yellow flowers and green leaves.
Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of a white flower with purple markings, surrounded by green grass and foliage.
Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda), Tuckahoe WM, Woodbine NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of a yellow flower with five petals, surrounded by green leaves, set against a dark background.
Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex), Tuckahoe WM, Woodbine NJ 5/3/2025

Pine Barrens Odonates

Sherry Felix6 Comments

A few dragonflies that I found in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

A dragonfly perched on small white flowers surrounded by green foliage.
Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura) on Sand Myrtle (Kalmia buxifolia), Warren Grove, Barnegat NJ 5/3/2025
A close-up of a dragonfly resting on dry leaves, with visible textures of the foliage in the background.
Blue Corporal (Libekkula deplanata), Tuckahoe WM, Woodbine NJ 5/3/2025
Close-up of a dragonfly resting on dried leaves, showcasing its translucent wings and intricate body details.
Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis), Tuckahoe WM, Woodbine NJ 5/3/2025
A close-up of a dragonfly resting on a rock, surrounded by small stones and grass.
Blue Corporal (Libekkula deplanata), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025
A close-up of a blue dragonfly resting on dry leaves and soil.
Blue Corporal (Libekkula deplanata), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025
A close-up image of a small bird in flight, showcasing its vibrant colors amidst a blurred green background.
Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata), Lizardtail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Township NJ 5/3/2025

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