March Migration

Its that time of year for the Beekman Road Salamander Migration. I'm sure that there is still more to come over the next couple of week.

I'm Pool Side & In The Pines

Today was a vernal pool check in East Brunswick. With the lack of rain, the salamander migration is a toss up. Just when the Weather Man predicts rain, it clears up. I did notice 6 egg packets along the pools edge, maybe there are more in the center. Forgot my boots today so someone else is going to have to venture to the center.

Egg Packet?

There were plenty of NJ Chorus Frogs & Spring Peepers singing! Chorus Frogs were much more vocal today then the Peepers.

Also my friend "Buck Skull" was still hanging out around the pool. Found his decomp site as well, maybe another trip soon to photograph that.

Right were I found him.

After this Vernal Pool fun, I made my way to what is called Elk Pine Woods. Never knew about this spot until I read the Friends park page. It was a nice walk, didn't find any Owl pellets, but did find one rottening & stinky Red-eared Slider. It was loaded with Carrion Beetles, both Margined & Ridged. This has been a good year for me, regarding these beetles. Anyway I had a fun & light stroll around the area, nothing nicer than a pine walk. I will be talking to Friends EBEC about maybe running a Moth Night in this area.

You're the tops

Them some pretty tall trees

A fallen friend

The Wait Is Over!

For the last few months this photographer has been going crazy. My work mostly consists of field photos, mostly insects. That is now over (hopefully), the weather is warming up, the salamanders are to start their migration soon and I got my first field photo of a moth. Hurray for me!
While out today at Beekman Rd in East Brunswick, NJ looking for signs of Spotted Salamander Migration in the Vernal Pool (this one was actually a Autumnal Pool) a bold Micro Moth landed on my hand. It appeared to taste my glove looking for a food source, but all it got was a portrait session.

Hello, There!

I also lucked out and found another of my favorite things in the woods, skulls. This is actually a rare find for me, usually my finds are Doe skulls. Buck skulls seam to be far and few in between around here. This marks my first find in NJ. Looks like it was there for a bit, going back to get it in a few days.

Anyway today was a good day.