Thursday, October 31, 2019
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Big Rain Before the Munich Phil.
10-29-19 SHORT HILLS: We had 3.1 inches of rain during the big storm this week. The sump pump was running for the first time in months. Last night we got another 0.1 inch. Everything is soaked this morning.
We were at NJPAC on Sunday afternoon along with half an auditorium’s worth of folks to hear the Munich Philharmonic. It seemed like a better idea than watching the Giants or Jets struggle and lose.
The orchestra opened with Mendelssohn’s Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and then played Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with Behzod Abduraimov on piano. He is another twenty-something pianist, an Uzbek, who got a standing O from the sparse crowd and rewarded us with an encore. After intermission, they played Symphony No.5 by Shostakovich. Valery Gergiev conducts the orchestra.
Saturday night we had dinner at Leeza and Roger’s place in NYC with Lynn and Bill, kudos to the hosts.
Red is beginning, there's enough for everyone.
NJPAC stage and the Munich Philharmonic.
We were at NJPAC on Sunday afternoon along with half an auditorium’s worth of folks to hear the Munich Philharmonic. It seemed like a better idea than watching the Giants or Jets struggle and lose.
The orchestra opened with Mendelssohn’s Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and then played Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with Behzod Abduraimov on piano. He is another twenty-something pianist, an Uzbek, who got a standing O from the sparse crowd and rewarded us with an encore. After intermission, they played Symphony No.5 by Shostakovich. Valery Gergiev conducts the orchestra.
Saturday night we had dinner at Leeza and Roger’s place in NYC with Lynn and Bill, kudos to the hosts.
Red is beginning, there's enough for everyone.
NJPAC stage and the Munich Philharmonic.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Cape May Cruise.
10-25-19 SHORT HILLS: We’re back, and I have edited the pix. The camera and I were working like a well-oiled machine on our second day. We had a morning boat trip on the Osprey around the bay and salt marshes. Captain Bob provided binocs, guide books and commentary and knew just where to go for the birds. We saw herons, egrets, brants, an osprey, hawks, cormorants, shore birds, waders, a loon, kingfishers, gulls, terns, vultures. The boat dock was a few minutes from the Mission Inn where we had had a great breakfast.
After the cruise we hit the land sites again before heading north on the GSP. It was a great two days of birding. I don’t think I saw anybody new, but it was nice to see a bunch of old friends. If we go back in the spring, we may catch the birds in breeding plumage, now they are all in non-breeding mode.
There are still lots of flowers in bloom and several monarch butterflies flitting around, as well as sulfurs and a buckeye.
Double crested cormorant, one of three cormorant species that we saw.
Great blue heron showing pretty pink thighs. It's not often that we see herons facing us, usually we get the profile view.
American oyster catchers on a sand bar at low tide.
Tricolor heron, in profile, hanging out with the egrets.
Greater yellow legs. Now how did it get that name?
Black bellied plovers in non-breeding outfits.
Belted kingfisher. This guy was the only one that posed long enough for a picture.
Surf scoters.
Back at the ponds on land, a Canada goose.
Savannah sparrow, I think, they're hard to tell from song sparrows.
Yellow-rumped warbler.
After the cruise we hit the land sites again before heading north on the GSP. It was a great two days of birding. I don’t think I saw anybody new, but it was nice to see a bunch of old friends. If we go back in the spring, we may catch the birds in breeding plumage, now they are all in non-breeding mode.
There are still lots of flowers in bloom and several monarch butterflies flitting around, as well as sulfurs and a buckeye.
Double crested cormorant, one of three cormorant species that we saw.
Great blue heron showing pretty pink thighs. It's not often that we see herons facing us, usually we get the profile view.
American oyster catchers on a sand bar at low tide.
Tricolor heron, in profile, hanging out with the egrets.
Greater yellow legs. Now how did it get that name?
Black bellied plovers in non-breeding outfits.
Belted kingfisher. This guy was the only one that posed long enough for a picture.
Surf scoters.
Back at the ponds on land, a Canada goose.
Savannah sparrow, I think, they're hard to tell from song sparrows.
Yellow-rumped warbler.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Cape May, New Jersey.
10-22-19 CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY: We drove south on the GSP in heavy rain until we passed the exit for Long Beach Island. As we passed Atlantic City, it was only a drizzle, and when we reached Ocean City, the rain had stopped. Cape May, exit zero, was almost dry, but densely overcast.
We took a quick peek at the ocean, gentle surf, and headed downtown for lunch. After crab and lobster rolls, we drove to our first birding site at the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on Sunset Blvd.
There are gravel trails around beach ponds and through typical beach vegetation, small trees, blueberry bushes, sumac, and viewing platforms and blinds. There were lots of birds on the water, mallards and Canada geese, some swans. Raptors were circling above, including a bald eagle, and many small birds darting around in the brush. I mis-set the camera, and a lot of pix were over exposed and worthless, but some videos came out nicely.
We went on to Higbee beach, a more primitive site with sand trails, but saw only sand crabs and pretty Delaware Bay shore line, so we headed to the Cape May Light House observation area, a state park. There were many swans, an eagle, mallards, a snowy egret and I got a nice pic of a northern mockingbird. Audubon staff were on duty to help with ID's.
Be late afternoon it was time to check in at the Mission Inn, our B & B, before dinner at Peter Shields Inn and then back to the room for World Series Game One.
Northen mockingbird.
Many mallards, in the water feeding and resting on land.
Sand crab scurrying across the trail.
We took a quick peek at the ocean, gentle surf, and headed downtown for lunch. After crab and lobster rolls, we drove to our first birding site at the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on Sunset Blvd.
There are gravel trails around beach ponds and through typical beach vegetation, small trees, blueberry bushes, sumac, and viewing platforms and blinds. There were lots of birds on the water, mallards and Canada geese, some swans. Raptors were circling above, including a bald eagle, and many small birds darting around in the brush. I mis-set the camera, and a lot of pix were over exposed and worthless, but some videos came out nicely.
We went on to Higbee beach, a more primitive site with sand trails, but saw only sand crabs and pretty Delaware Bay shore line, so we headed to the Cape May Light House observation area, a state park. There were many swans, an eagle, mallards, a snowy egret and I got a nice pic of a northern mockingbird. Audubon staff were on duty to help with ID's.
Be late afternoon it was time to check in at the Mission Inn, our B & B, before dinner at Peter Shields Inn and then back to the room for World Series Game One.
Northen mockingbird.
Many mallards, in the water feeding and resting on land.
Sand crab scurrying across the trail.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Burning Bush Color.
10-21-19 SHORT HILLS: We got another 0.5 inches of rain yesterday, maybe the drought is over. Tomorrow we are off to Cape May at the southern tip of NJ. It’s like a thumb sticking out into Delaware Bay and is famous as an R and R spot for migrating birds on their way south now, and on their way north in the spring. There are many acres of wetland and bayshore. Full report to follow.
I did a couple hours of picking up broken branches and picking them off the shrubs after the recent storms. Witch-hazel is just opening here. but already opened in VT. The late bloomers open up earlier there than here, the opposite of the early season bloomers that open here first.
New blooms: witch-hazel.
Nice early color on burning bushes.
I did a couple hours of picking up broken branches and picking them off the shrubs after the recent storms. Witch-hazel is just opening here. but already opened in VT. The late bloomers open up earlier there than here, the opposite of the early season bloomers that open here first.
New blooms: witch-hazel.
Nice early color on burning bushes.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Bach and Mendelssohn.
10-19-19 SHORT HILLS: We had a nice rainstorm midweek with 2.2 inches of precip and a lot of wind that blew a bunch of small branches out of the trees. Otherwise the weather has been seasonal and dry.
We were at Carnegie Hall for a concert on Thursday by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Bernard Labadie conducting. They played Mendelssohn and Bach. There were two Bach Keyboard Concertos, BWV 1052 and 1056. The pianist was Beatrice Rana, a 26 year old Italian, who has been performing since age 9. She got so much applause that she gave us an encore piece.
The Mendelssohn Scottish Symphony closed the concert and the Hebrides Overture opened it. Dinner before the concert was at Trattoria Dell’Arte across the street from Carnegie. We were pleased with the meal as much as the concert.
Beatrice Rana after playing Bach Keyboard Concertos getting a big round of applause.
Carnegie Hall as beautiful as always.
The orchestra members wander in.
In Vermont, the ramps for the bridge to be built across the waterless stream. The white 2x4's are place holders and will be replaced with pressure treated wood.
Pride Rock will work out for easy boat access.
We were at Carnegie Hall for a concert on Thursday by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Bernard Labadie conducting. They played Mendelssohn and Bach. There were two Bach Keyboard Concertos, BWV 1052 and 1056. The pianist was Beatrice Rana, a 26 year old Italian, who has been performing since age 9. She got so much applause that she gave us an encore piece.
The Mendelssohn Scottish Symphony closed the concert and the Hebrides Overture opened it. Dinner before the concert was at Trattoria Dell’Arte across the street from Carnegie. We were pleased with the meal as much as the concert.
Beatrice Rana after playing Bach Keyboard Concertos getting a big round of applause.
Carnegie Hall as beautiful as always.
The orchestra members wander in.
In Vermont, the ramps for the bridge to be built across the waterless stream. The white 2x4's are place holders and will be replaced with pressure treated wood.
Pride Rock will work out for easy boat access.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Monday, October 14, 2019
Rocks and Bridges.
10-14-19 VERMONT: It took Steve’s tractor and several of us to get the rock in position on the edge of the pond. From the dimensions of the rock and the density of rock, I calculated the weight to be 4,000 to 5,000 pounds. There were seven people, six dogs and one tractor, and we got it into position. Do to uneven bottom shape of the rock, a lot of smaller rocks were needed to get the big rock level. After it was stabilized, I back filled with dirt and turf.
Val named it ‘Pride Rock’ after some cartoon movie and B’way show. The personnel were, me, Judy, Val, Steve, Diana, Scott and Cedar, the dogs were Maizie, Gus, Kaley, Bally, Penny and Arthur.
Yesterday I set up the bridge abutments for crossing the new waterless stream. I used two more of the supports from the barn that were removed. Steve set them in position with the tractor the day we did Pride Rock. I made them parallel and set them at the same height opposite each other. I needed to roll them to one side or the other to make the adjustments. They are 9 inches above grade level so they need ramps for mowers, carts, or wheelbarrows to cross the stream.
Today I built the ramps with dirt, several wheelbarrows worth hauled in from the pasture, held in place with rocks barriers. I tamped it all down, and then I seeded the dirt and covered the seeds with mulch hay and watered it all. I will build the bridge with pressure treated wood next trip.
The leaves have peaked here and are falling fast.
More fall color. The dogs blend right in.
Here's the rock and rock movers and some of the dogs.
Tractor and chain made it an easier job.
Almost there.
The rock is in place.
Val trying it out, she named it 'Pride Rock', I thought she was calling it 'Fried Rock'. I said that I didn't get it.
Val named it ‘Pride Rock’ after some cartoon movie and B’way show. The personnel were, me, Judy, Val, Steve, Diana, Scott and Cedar, the dogs were Maizie, Gus, Kaley, Bally, Penny and Arthur.
Yesterday I set up the bridge abutments for crossing the new waterless stream. I used two more of the supports from the barn that were removed. Steve set them in position with the tractor the day we did Pride Rock. I made them parallel and set them at the same height opposite each other. I needed to roll them to one side or the other to make the adjustments. They are 9 inches above grade level so they need ramps for mowers, carts, or wheelbarrows to cross the stream.
Today I built the ramps with dirt, several wheelbarrows worth hauled in from the pasture, held in place with rocks barriers. I tamped it all down, and then I seeded the dirt and covered the seeds with mulch hay and watered it all. I will build the bridge with pressure treated wood next trip.
The leaves have peaked here and are falling fast.
More fall color. The dogs blend right in.
Here's the rock and rock movers and some of the dogs.
Tractor and chain made it an easier job.
Almost there.
The rock is in place.
Val trying it out, she named it 'Pride Rock', I thought she was calling it 'Fried Rock'. I said that I didn't get it.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Leaf Season.
10-10-19 VERMONT: We came up on Tuesday for the leaves, but also to see the new pond and the status of the barn repairs. The leaves are in good color here and in the local neighborhoods. The new pond is almost dry from the summer drought. We hope it will fill with normal rain and activation of springs when the ground water is higher. The waterfall and stream leading down to the old pond look great and only need water.
The barn repair excavating work is finished, new foundation supports are almost completed and replacement of the floor supports is underway.
Judy and I put away the outdoor benches, with help from Val, who is here to process the crop of special herbs. I have been working on a pier for the old pond, using a huge rock found under the barn. I repurposed two of the old pilings supporting the barn as a base, and after two days of work, they are ready for the big rock. I will need some help from Scott and Cedar, who are doing the barn work, to get the big rock positioned.
New blooms: cimicfuga, witch hazel.
Maple color.
Stream from the new pond waterfall to the old pond flows between the willow and redwood.
New pond, needs rain.
More color, Moosilauke in the distance.
More color.
Witch hazel flowers.
The crop of special herbs.
The barn repair excavating work is finished, new foundation supports are almost completed and replacement of the floor supports is underway.
Judy and I put away the outdoor benches, with help from Val, who is here to process the crop of special herbs. I have been working on a pier for the old pond, using a huge rock found under the barn. I repurposed two of the old pilings supporting the barn as a base, and after two days of work, they are ready for the big rock. I will need some help from Scott and Cedar, who are doing the barn work, to get the big rock positioned.
New blooms: cimicfuga, witch hazel.
Maple color.
Stream from the new pond waterfall to the old pond flows between the willow and redwood.
New pond, needs rain.
More color, Moosilauke in the distance.
More color.
Witch hazel flowers.
The crop of special herbs.
Monday, October 07, 2019
Berry Quiz.
10-7-19 SHORT HILLS: It’s been a while since I posted. We were in the city for dinner with Elaine and Richard on Saturday, and did a dog walk with Bebe and Ron on Sunday. Tonight we hear the NY Phil. We finally got some rain 1.1 inches.
I walked around the yard this afternoon and took pix of all the berries and fruits I could find. Some should be easy ID’s, other harder. Clue—use the foliage as an aid. Answers—sometime soon.
I walked around the yard this afternoon and took pix of all the berries and fruits I could find. Some should be easy ID’s, other harder. Clue—use the foliage as an aid. Answers—sometime soon.
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| winterberry holly |
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| beauty berry |
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| southern magnolia |
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| red chokeberry |
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| Asian holly |
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| English holly |
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| St. Johns wort |
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| pear |
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| Japanese snowbell |
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| dogwood |
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| crapemyrtle |
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| Siebold viburnum |
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| apple |
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| juniper |
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| apple |
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| yew |
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| barberry |
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