Babbling Bamboo Brook

I swung by Rutgers Gardens the other day to ease my want of hiking. While it was no Hackelbarney State Park, it was still a fun walk. Usually I head right off to the Pine Stand but decided to spend some time in the Bamboo Patch. While I don't know if the stream there has an actual name, I always call it Bamboo Brook.

Near the new Footbridge

It was flowing a little quicker than usual, which was quite fine with me. There was a lot of entomology activity along its shallow banks. Mud Dabbers were gathering building materials, Ebony Jewelwings fluttered around looking for mates (counted around 13) and once again many Water Striders.

Still wanting to photograph flowing water, I scouted some positions. One of the best spots in my opinion is right near the spot of the old footbridge. There is a nice slab of rock that the water flows over.

Just above a little pool

The sun was getting low and the camera was metering at around 10 sec exposures at f/11. So I was a happy camper, just right around were I like to take my slow shots. I'm thinking of doing some extra long shots soon, minutes not seconds. Any way here are a few more tight shots from slightly different angles.

Just long enough for a bit of blur

While not the slowest shot, I'm always interested in these roots. They make for a great subject and look extra awesome come Winter.

Roots with a bit of flow.

Slow And Flow, That's My Tempo

I've been quite behind with my Summer this year, the plan was to visit many State and County Parks, which has not been happening. Today although, I did finally make my way to Hackelbarney State Park in Chester, NJ. Its awesome & one of my favorites! Maybe because it is almost always void of any human sounds for long periods of time or that I really just like to walk next to water but this is one of the best of NJ's State Parks. Even with the Jersey Humidity, I made my way round the Red Trail. Did I tell you it was Jersey Humid?

Would this be considered swimming?

My first bit of travel fun was driving a few miles past my turn off point, can anyone say Netcong! Second the Farm Cider Mill was closed so no Cider Donuts for this photographer, good thing I brought Fig Newtons. But that was the only bad things to happen today.

While on the trail I spied a Cooper's Hawk and a Belted King Fisher, as well as heard many bird calls in the late afternoon. Tried to chase down a Ebony Jewelwing but no luck getting a picture. Also I am assuming that it is Peak Season for Water Striders because I have never seen so many before.

I did get was some sweet water shots, well not the greatest but not bad. So without any more rambling, here is what Hacklebarney is famous for.

A little bit of runoff.

Those are some tough tree roots!

Natures Junkyard.

Trout Brook meets the Black River.