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.

@USFWSRefuges Reed Reflections #WindPhotography Took a Covid-19 break with a walk at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

 

Reed Reflections

Nature Photography by Diana Wind

We have been indoors so much due to COVID-19 precautions, it felt so good to make time to get outdoors to enjoy a safe, nature walk. We packed our cameras and headed south towards Barnegat, NJ to explore Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge at Eno's Pond in Lacey Township. We also took our masks, but only had to wear them once when we passed a few people along the trail.

The well-groomed walking trail through the woods led us to a wooden observation deck at Eno's Pond. The view from the deck was obscured by overgrown weeds and trees. But, on the path near the water's edge, we were able to get a better view of the pond. The mirror image reflections of tall, green reed grass and trees were mesmerizing.

Standing along the water's edge, we could hear the reed grasses blowing in the warm, summer breeze. Every so often, we could hear and see circular water ripples coming from a fish or frog. 

The tranquility was just what the doctor ordered after mom died last month. It is hard to believe she has been gone for over a month already. RIP, Mom...

We look forward to more New Jersey nature adventures with our cameras.

Related Links

Eno's Pond County Park

 

Photograph Copyright (C)Wind. Reed Reflections at Eno's Pond August 22, 2020. All rights reserved.

Nature Photography at Amico Island - Deer and spectacular Sunset behind Phiadelphia Skyline #WindPhotography

Doe a Deer

Hobbies like nature photography get us out of the house for hours and moving more. Harry and I took our cameras to Amico Island Park located in Delran Township, NJ - part of Burlington County Parks System.

I was hesitant at first thinking how can I ever capture anything like my first visit to Amico Island photo. Do you remember the magnificent blue heron showing off his full wing span? That was on Amico Island.

On this visit, soon after our arrival, an excited photographer came up to us telling us she saw a large number of deer in the woods. I quickly went in that direction to see if I could find them. Harry stayed behind taking pictures of a beautiful landscape of tree reflections on a pond.

When I found the deer, they allowed me to take their pictures. The deer stayed together hiding in the woods as they listened for other walkers and kids riding their bikes. 

As you can see, I got close enough to see their sweet faces. Their color tones blended perfectly with the dried weeds and grasses in the winter landscape. A large buck strolled by too; I was in awe and could not react fast enough to snap his photo. The late day light streamed through the trees outlining the deer's bodies, even their whiskers! 

This was the first time I noticed deer had whiskers and distinct markings on their faces. They are such beautiful animals. 

Besides having white underside their tail, white-tailed deer display white rings around their eyes and nose that remind me of our cat Sammi. Sammi's eyes have beautiful, thick white outlines above and below her eyes.

After my hike thorough the woods and getting lost after wandering off to find deer to photograph; I finally found Harry on my way back to the car at a scenic overlook of the Philadelphia skyline.

Within minutes, just before the park closed, we had a chance to view a most spectacular orange glow across the Delaware River as the sun set behind Philadelphia!

Amico Island Sunset - Philadelphia Skyline by Diana Wind

Blog post and photographs Copyright (C)Wind. All rights reserved.

Kayaking lesson in NJ Pinelands with Harry! @PinesAdventures @PinesAlliance #fun #physicalactivity

Smile Harry!

Harry and I learned basic kayaking skills in an introductory 3-hour class yesterday hosted by Pinelands Adventures in Shamong, NJ. No one in our group tipped over. If we can do it, you can do it! The weather was perfect too, as you can see in the photos. For us, this great outdoor activity was even a better workout than canoeing.

We decided to try kayaking since our canoe is too big for some of the twisting and turning rivers here in NJ. A smaller, 8-13 foot kayak can better maneuver than a 16.5 foot canoe.

Before we began, as with any outdoor sport in the summer, we made sure to start with eating a hearty breakfast. We took our hiking water bottles filled with plenty of fresh water to stay hydrated in the hot afternoon sun. We also packed bananas for a healthy snack along with good 'ol PB and J for lunch. 

Here is a really short video clip that I took during a break while floating on the water. There were songbirds, turtles and lots of yellow blooming water lilies.

We practiced our newly learned paddle strokes on Paradise lake, a calm, quiet and peaceful, private lake that was once a cranberry bog. Special thanks to John Volpa for teaching us.
 
This was our third event at Pinelands Adventures. We look forward to going back for more fun and adventures. Maybe our next trip will be a self-guided kayak paddling trip.

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

@American_Heart Walk Cooper River Park NJ Nov 10th @InspiraHN #hearthealth #heartwalk ❤️

❤️Heart Walk

November 10, 2018 

Cooper River Park, NJ

As you may know the Cooper River Heart Walk was rescheduled from Oct. 27th to Nov. 10th because of a terrible weather forecast. Hopefully the weather will be in our favor on Nov. 10th. Come out and join us. I'm walking with Team "Inspira Health Network Has Heart". Meetup is at the Inspira/Cooper tent bright and early. 

Check in is 8 am. Nov 10th at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, NJ. The Heart Walk starts at 9:30 am. Just a few more supporters will help me reach my initial goal. 

Thank You for helping fight heart disease and stroke ❤️

Blog Post and Photo Copyright (C)Wind. All rights reserved.

Hiking with Harry in the Adirondacks #ADK #Keenevalley #wildblueberries

Blueberry Mountain
4.8 miles round trip day hike

Hiking Adirondack mountains will surely get you back in shape within a few days, assuming that you start off somewhat prepared to hike by eating right and keeping yourself as fit as possible during the year. This year I planned to be better prepared than last year and worked out weekly at a gym. It did help. You don't think of it when you're young, but can't help but notice that as you get older - the climbs get tougher!

Most trail books accurately describe Blueberry Mtn. as an easy short hike with a beautiful view of Keene Valley. Harry and I left from Marcy Airfield to Blueberry Mountain, 2.4 miles: 4.8 miles round trip. The trail also lead to the summit of Porter Mountain, but we only wanted to climb Blueberry: 2,890 feet, which was enough for us for the first hike this trip. 

The August weather was comfortable and cool; not unseasonably hot like summer of 2013. And, yes, there were lots of blueberries and shrubs on Blueberry Mtn. Wild blueberries are noticeably smaller than commercial blueberries. 

RIP Pat Quinn who passed away May 2012. Her family closed the Bed and Breakfast 'Mountain Meadows' located in Keene Valley. She always gave us advise on good hikes and was an inspiration. I loved her cottage gardening style. Harry says it was like "going home,"  which it was. We miss her and the hospitality of her family. I think of her on mornings that I refill our hummingbird feeders and especially when we visit Keene Valley.

Trail-head located center of Keene Valley

Harry taking a photo of wild blueberries

Photos and blog post (C)2014 Wind. All rights reserved.