The Celery Farm & Beyond

Fyke Meeting and Talk Is Tomorrow

Naturalist Wade Wander will speak about the amazing world of insectsat tomorrow night's Fyke meeting -- 8 p.m. at the Allendale Municiapl Building.  The talk is free!

More info here.

Snapping Turtle Omelets

Although our sideyard is a nursery for Snapping Turtles, it is also a buffet for the local raccoons. 

This is a small fraction of the raided eggs in the yard. The turtles' strategy is to lay as many eggs in as many places so that a few get through.

Judging from all the Snapping Turtles next door at the Celery Fram, the strategy appears to be working.

 

My Latest 'Bird Watcher' Column

My latest "Bird Watcher" column in The Record and Herald News is on two cool birds that visitied our region this spring -- the Swallow-tailed Kite and the Glossy Ibis.

(Thanks to Jim Kuehlke for the kite photo!)

The link is here.

Baby Snapping Turtles Video!

This is another timeless classic about survivors.

Tomorrow: What happens to most baby Snapping Turtles.

Watch Out For Turtles!

How many folks get to have a neat sign like this outside their house?

Monday Mystery Follow-Up

Sometimes the Monday Morning Mysteries are just mysteries, but I think I'll go with Rob Fanning on this one -- Greater Yellowlegs.

Thanks to all who suggested IDs!

My 'Citizen Kane' of Turtle Videos

 

I filmed this a few years ago, but it is truly timeless. The brief section of slow-motion video of an inherently slow critter is memorable.

Tomorrow: Snapping Turtles, the Next Generation

Monday Morning Mystery 052112

Jerry Barrack and I saw this shorebird flying over Lake Appert Last week.

What is it?

Snapping Turtle Egg-laying Time

As you may know, my wife have a "natural" front yard -- native plants, no grass, no pesticides -- and the Snapping Turtles just love to lay their eggs here every May.

We are talking more than a dozen turtles over several days, laying dozens of eggs. Not for everyone, but it works for us (me more than Patty, since it is her garden they are digging up.

If you see one laying eggs in our frontyard, you are welcome to stop and watch from a distance. They seem oblivious.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, in honor of National Snapping Turtle Week, I'll post my two favorite front yard Snapping Turtle videos...

Fyke's Garret Mt. Walk Is Saturday

Fyke's annual Garret Mountain Walk is Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Meet at the three-tiered parking lot.  Bluebird pic was taken at Garret two years ago.

 

Bat Counters Wanted

The Record's ace environmental writer James O'Neill reports that the bat die-off in New Jersey may have leveled off. If you can help count bats this year, the article provides contact info.

The link is here.

In Memory of Pat Brotherton

I am saddened to report that Pat Brotherton, a long-time friend, Fyke member and all-around wonderful person, died yesterday after a long illness.

From producing the Fyke Nature Association newsletter to volunteering in the Butterfly Garden to helping lead field trips to serving on the Fyke Board, Pat loved the Celery Farm and  was one of its core supporters for several decades.

We have lost an anchor.

Our deepest condolences go out to her husband John and their entire family.

Monday Morning Mystery 051412

What is this, where is this, and what's the point? (Suggested by John Workman at some point in the past year -- thanks, John!)

Remembering the Civil War

Did you know that the person that Allendale is named after was a Civil War hero who drowned at sea off North Carolina?

In researching an essay I wrote for an upcoming book on Bergen County during the Civil War era, I found out a lot of amazing information about Joseph Warner Allen and New Jersey's role in the Civil War. 

I even came across an engraving from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Weekly that actually shows Allen drowning (above), and another of his temporary burial in Hatteras, North Carolina.

My wife and I also visited a monument to Colonel Allen in a Bordentown, NJ, graveyard.

Allen lived in the Fell House in the 1840s -- I am not sure if the area that is the Celery Farm was still part of the Fell property in those days, but I'd ike to think Allen walked the property durng his stay.

I wrote about it in the Opinion section of The Record today.

The link is here.

Post on the Franklin Lakes Nature Reserve

The New Jersey Urban Forest blog had a neat post on the Franklin Lakes Nature Reserve last month.

The link is here, better late than never.

My Latest 'Bird Watcher' Column

My latest "Bird Watcher" column for The Record is on how to get the most out of a guided nature walk. Additional suggestions are most welcome.

The link is here.