@journeynorthorg Annual Monarch Migration #NJ @PinesAlliance @cumberlandctynj

New Jersey Monarch Migration

Monarch butterflies in New Jersey are headed south as their annual fall migration continues. Yesterday, along the bay shore, we saw lots of Monarch's feasting on the native yellow goldenrod plants located in the front of East Point Lighthouse along the dunes. 

East Point Lighthouse is located on the Delaware Bay at the mouth of the Maurice River in Cumberland County. The area is along the edge of the federally designated Pinelands National Reserve.

The lighthouse overlooks the Delaware Bay and is the second oldest lighthouse in NJ. It was fully restored in 2017 after a fire in 1971. I was surprised how many people were touring and visiting at the time of our visit. 

We kept our masks on and decided not to go inside the lighthouse until after the pandemic. It was open though for those who wanted to see the gift shop and the view. Instead, we took a walk to the waterfront.

And, yes, I reported our Monarch sightings on Journey North (see link below)! I had hoped to see more Monarchs at our home in Mt. Laurel, but even with all our milkweed plants, this year we have hardly seen any compared to last year.

We also saw a beautiful Common Buckeye butterfly mingling in with all the Monarch activity!

Related Links

Fine Art America prints and greeting card of Common Buckeye photo by Diana Wind

Visit NJ East Point Lighthouse

Monarch Migration 

Journey North Report Your Monarch Sightings!

Photographs Copyright (C)Wind. All rights reserved.

@ConserveNJ Sunset last night Franklin Parker Preserve - NJ Pinelands #wetlands #naturephotography

Pinelands Sunset photograph by Diana Wind

The biologically diverse, 9,400 acres of the beautiful Franklin Parker Preserve located in Burlington County, New Jersey is a serene place to visit to find peace, hope and joy.

According to the Preserve's brochure (link below), the land was once a former cranberry farm owned by the Demarco family; they sold it in 2003. The sale was the largest private conservation transaction in NJ state history. The NJ Dept of Environmental Protection purchased 40% interest in the land, which will help to preserve it forever.

The individuals in the NJ Conservation Foundation and all the people involved in the restoration efforts must be really proud. Just listening to the chatter of a colony of Great White Egrets perched in a spot along the 5,000 acres of freshwater wetlands says it all.

The park is named after Franklin E. Parker III who was the first chair of the Pinelands Commission. We're enjoying learning about the wonderful parks and natural beauty right here in the Garden State.

Related Links
Brochure for Franklin Parker Preserve
Take Action for Conservation
Pinelands Preservation Alliance 
Blog post and photograph Copyright (C)Wind. All rights reserved.

Bald Eagle photobomb! Scenic walk in the NJ Pinelands #naturephotography

Weekend Walk in the 

NJ Pinelands with our cameras!

Bald Eagle Photobomb!

Dusk on our walk out...

Photographs Copyright (C)Wind. All rights reserved.

How the food you eat affects your brain - Mia Nacamulli #GardenCuizine

@ConserveNJ Some photos from our walk on the loop trail in Franklin Parker Preserve NJ Pinelands

 

Harry and I made time to get outside to take a nature walk with our cameras to explore one of the best New Jersey parks: Franklin Parker Preserve. The preserve is home to stately Great Egrets, Eagles, snakes, frogs and many species of birds. Below are a few of my photos from our recent walk on the loop trail. I did see an Eagle, but he was too far away and all I got was a blur in my picture. And, I did capture some Great Egrets; I'll add that photo later.

A sight to behold: Wetlands in the NJ Pine Barrens

Someone kept an eye on us!

5,000 acres of NJ Pineland Wetlands

Related Links 

NJ Conservation Foundation

Pinelands Facts

Photos and blog post Copyright (C)Wind. All rights reserved.