Blooming Spring in NJ

It's the start of cherry blossom season here in N.J. . Most of the ornamental cherry trees are still in bud state with the below freezing temps that we've had lately, slowing down the bloom. This is a scene at Branch Brook Park with a few of the young early blooming trees showing their beautiful pink colors.

NYC Sunrise Silhouette on Golden Sky

A section of the New York City west side skyline and the Hudson River at sunrise with the buildings and piers silhouetted against a golden yellow sky, a big rising sun peeking up between the buildings, gulls having a sunrise flight and the river reflecting the gold and blue sky colors.

Purple Crocus Flowers

A cluster of lavender purple crocus flowers, one of the first blooms of the Spring season.

Piliated Woodpecker Hard at Work

Another image of the Piliated Woodpecker. Here, you can see her with her tongue dipped into the wood chips that she broke up on the dead tree trunk. . The woodpeckers tongues can extend out up to 2 inches and the tip is covered with a sticky substance that helps the bird to extract insects from the wood.

Pileated Woodpecker Female

What a treat to see this female pileated woodpecker - my first sighting of one. She was in deep shadows under trees chipping away at the fallen tree trunk. Tried a few photos but too dark - finally, she moved into a small space where sunlight filtered through and I was able to time a couple of shots where she looked up from her chipping and foraging for insects. From what I read, these birds prefer staying deep in the shadows and are hard to see. They prefer large old growth trees in which to create their nesting cavities. So, knowing that, I feel truly lucky to get to see and get a photo of this one.

Blooming Lenten Rose

A magenta hued Lenten Rose (Helleborus) plant in full bloom, found in a thicket of woodland trees and shrubs.

House Finch on a Cloudy Day

The red feathers on this little House Finch provided about the only color on a gray, cold , drizzly day.

Hudson Yards NYC Golden Hour Colors

The skyscrapers of Hudson Yards neighborhood in midtown NYC at sundown on the cusp of twilight.

Cherry Blossom Coming Attractions

My first Spring blossoms of 2022. YAY. Our NJ Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom display won't be in full peak bloom until sometime next week. I took a ride to check out the satus and there were a few early blooming trees to see. Can't wait until the full bloom.

Red-winged Blackbird Male

A red-winged blackbird showing his red and yellow wing patch in early Spring as breeding season begins.

Sitting on Top of the World

A pair of Tree Swallows sitting at the very top of a tree surveying the area below where there are a few nest boxes, most of which seemed to be already claimed..

Nestbuilding House Sparrows

This pair of house sparrows has appropriated a nest box meant for tree swallows and the male and female are both busily bringing materials to build their nest.

Tree Swallow on a Branch

The beautiful little migratory Tree Swallows have arrived - a sure sign that Spring is here. Saw several of these songbirds (about the size of a sparrow) yesterday as they flitted around getting settled in for the breeding season. Nest boxes have been installed for them in the NJ Meadowlands parks and the birds were very active checking them out and claiming their new homes. This one briefly flew up and sat at the very top of a small tree, catching the light, and keeping watch over the area.

Golden Skies Sundown NYC

A vertical view of midtown Manhattan skyscrapers that seem dwarfed by, and integrated into, nature's color scheme of the big bold gold and blue sky with the golden hour color reflected in the Hudon River.

St Patrick's Day Greeting

Wishing everyone a day filled with the best of Irish Blessings and celebrations. Hope you have as much fun seeing this as I did creating it.

Ring-billed Gull Ready for Takeoff

A male ring-billed gull with wings raised as it prepares to take flight.

Juvenile Ring-billed Gull

Couldn't resist a shot of this gull as it stood in a shadowed pool of water with just a shaft of light making its white and gray plumage stand out. Clouds and blue sky are reflected in the water.

Manhattan Night Blues

The skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan as the last of sundown color gives way to the twilight blues of night and city lights begin twinkling on. This was a rare clear weather evening with the clouds, rain and snow that we've had this month.

Opossum

Came across this cute critter while on a walk. Since they are nocturnal, it was surprising to see it foraging in the bright daylight.

Northern Shoveler Ducks

Two pairs of Northern Shoveler ducks, part of a large flock of ducks that were resting and bathing in the sunshine along a protected rocky shoreline. In mating season, the colors of the male are truly eye-catching.

Marsh Grasses in Black and White

A black and white study of winter grasses alongside marsh waters . The starkness of the end of the winter season, with its own beauty in the lines and shapes of the tried stems and leaves.