Essex County has spent a lot of money up-grading the area around the Turtle Back Zoo in the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange. There is a promenade around the reservoir, about two miles of level walkway, dogs allowed, poop bags provided, that was busy today with walkers and runners and lots of dogs.
There was bright sun shining through the four fountains in the reservoir with a slight breeze. Gus, Maizie, Bally, Annie and Bella enjoyed the walk as much as we humans did, but not as much as the birds. We saw ducks—Mallards, Pintails, maybe Ring-Necked Ducks and many Canada Geese. Bebe saw a Blue Heron there last week. There was a turtle on a rock indifferent to it all.
Alison, Dan, Lily and Anna were here for the big meal, and we all saw J Law as Katniss in the evening. Earlier in the week, Judy and I had our own, mini film festival and saw Spotlight, Brooklyn, and Creed all of which were excellent.
Two days before the holiday, we had our first hard frost that nipped the remaining tender leaves, and yesterday a brief rain. So far we are getting a warm, dry El Niño winter.
Mallard pair.
Canada geese, two dozen in foreground and a hundred on the other side.
Mallards, two pair, and a Common Pintail, male.
Fountains, sunshine and a turtle on the rock, left foreground.
No comments:
Post a Comment