Wandering Weekend 2

Another part of my action packed weekend was to Six Mile Run Reservoir in Franklin Township, Somerset County. This is a double fun trip because I get to drive on my most favorite of all roads in New Jersey, Canal Road. For those that have never been there think of driving down a road bordered by a ditch on one side and the D&R Canal on the other in a space not much bigger than an alleyway. Trail Map can be downloaded here.

My plan was to hike the full length of all the trails in & out. Due to the muddy conditions with the recent rains I only finished the Blue Trail. Just too much slipping for me while hauling camera gear so I turned around at where the Blue meets the Red and said "Next Time". All in all it was still a good walk, there is something I like about hiking in the fog.

Blue start at Canal Rd Lot

A Nice Foggy Morning

It was pretty quite along the trail, there was bird song every now and then. My spottings included Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-tailed Hawk, Canada Goose, Downey & Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Carolina Wern and a few Golden-crowned Kinglets. There was one mystery sighting which was either a Kestrel or a Merlin. No mammals to report not even a chipmunk. 

Was just scanning the field

While wildlife was somewhat low, I did have fun searching for my second favorite thing besides insects when hiking. Moss, Lichen & Fungus are always a backup when when I pan out on the trail. While I'm no expert I just like finding new stuff. There were section of the Blue Trail that reminded me of the Pacific Northwest, not that there was tons of ferns but just densely cover tree trunks.

Lichen & Moss

Here some Jelly Fungus for you mycologists out there.

Lazy Sundays

Took a double trip this Sunday, Part A was to the Schiff Nature Preserve. Never been here before so I didn't know what to expect. It was a nice & quick walk, the air was filled with Bluebirds and Goldfinches. Saw a large Red-tailed Hawk sweeping over the Great Meadow, which was a nice sight. Ran into a herd of deer but that was it for excitement.

Part B found me wandering around Natirar Park. While not my favorite park in Somerset County, Trail #2 makes up for any rough terrain that I would want on a hike. It has a pretty sweet view and you can almost feel a little lost while on it. Yet another quick & easy walk, this time a ran into a herd of humans on the Loop. A nice amount of Bluebirds were seen on the forest edge. 

Welcome To The Sorrel Land

While I'm always ready to explore my Middlesex County there are a few exceptions to this. One of these is the Sourland Mountain Preserve, located in Somerset County. Click the link for details on this place and here for a park map.

Devil's Half Acre

I put in a good 7 hours walking the trails & photographing & haven't done that in a long time! It is kind of nice to feel like you are lost in one of the most populated states. Outside of the parking lot I did not run into one person on the trails, could here them but no sightings.

It is going to slide any minute

The air was filled with the song of Wood Thrush and at times if was not only beautifully deafening but caused some light insanity for me. Nothing worse than being unable to find a rhythm in noise. Only bringing Entomology & Botany setups for my cameras, I was unable to get any decent bird images. I did find Showy Orchis & Jack-In-The-Pulpit, it might have been the most Arisaema triphyllum that this photographer has ever seen.

Showy Orchis / Galearis spectabilis

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

I did have some interesting suprises, like a Narceus americanus, a stone wall and some unknown plant that was popping up everywhere.

Narceus americanus

Wall

Corner Stone

American cancer-root / Conopholis americana