At The Lake

You can sit on our bench, just push all the fishing stuff over - the little boy tells me

I thank him and sit and watch them for a bit.

My name is Robert
Nice to meet you Robert, I'm Dianne
He points toward the older gentleman - That's Grandpa
Grandpa nods and smiles

I know a lot about fishing, Grandpa teaches me things
You're lucky. I bet he's a good teacher.
He is but we never catch anything. It's just a thing to do while we talk.
I ask what they talk about

All the important things 

Park Restoration

It isn't just the shore that suffered from Sandy and all the storms since Sandy. Many parks are just now in the process of recovering.

Holmdel Park in NJ is one example.

The most damaged areas are fenced off and declared 'restoration areas' - that's what the blue sign says. The other sign asks visitors not to feed the wildlife - everything they need is available for them and being fed human food upsets the organic cycle. 

 At the farm trucks and tractors are bringing in supplies to restore the pastures and re-build the barns and coops

I couldn't get closer to the farm due to all the work being done. All the animals were cared for during the storms by being moved to the stronger buildings or by being boarded at other farms. Someone told me that farm volunteers stayed with the animals throughout the storms.

A staggering number of trees have been lost

This loss makes me ever more adamant that property owners NOT be allowed to cut down trees without a permit from a conservation minded township committee. I can't begin to tell you how hated popular this makes me at town hall.

Sorry but I don't think a giant tree that has shaded us and cleaned our air for decades should be killed so that you can widen your driveway enabling your fat ass to walk even less.

Anyhoo - the "big hill" area is well on its way to being healthier.

Huge thanks to all those who volunteer their time and donate their money to help the small staff of park rangers and caretakers.

NATURE NOTES

Our World Tuesday

Working Hard at the Marina

I took advantage of last week's warm, sunny weather to check out the work being done to rebuild one of the marina's near me.

A group of workers were rolling a huge machine with a giant hook on it back and forth between the broken and jagged pieces of dock. As best as I could figure out they were pulling up the large pieces of debris caught under what is left of the docks.

In some of the photos you can see how many boats are still left on the shoreline where they were tossed like toys. 

This gull seems to be showing me some of the damage.

Further out the work is going on

Both gulls and people are watching

This guy says thank you

NATURE NOTES

Our World Tuesday

The Clean Up Goes On

It's really difficult to visit the places I love since Hurricane Sandy came through and washed so much away.

I have to remind myself that as hard as it might be for me it is so much harder for those who lost everything they had. I go to patronize whatever businesses are open and I stop by the Volunteer Firehouse to see if help or supplies are needed.

On my most recent visit I took a few photos of the work being done at the waterfront.

Wreckage is still being carted away. Paths are being cleared. Boat ramps are being rebuilt so that the locals can get out to resume fishing. Pieces of docks need to be pulled out of the water. Railings and fences have to be replaced; in some spots it's dangerous to get too close.

I found these shots of sunnier days in my archives. All of this is gone. 

And on we go ...

Our World Tuesday

NATURE NOTES

Sandy's On The Way

I ventured out this morning on my last round of hurricane errands.

After picking up more groceries and filling the tank I headed over to Firefighter's Park in Union Beach, NJ which faces Raritan Bay.

I live 2.8 miles inland from the shore and it's amazing what a difference that small distance makes. The wind was rocking the car, it was difficult to open the door and there were tree branches all over the road.

The wind was pushing in from the water.

The water was high and every time the wind blew the foam rushed up over the wooden piling. It stung my face.

This house was being reinforced. It faces the bay. I love how the statue seems oblivious to the work going on behind her.

I have no idea where flying watermelon came from. Beware of flying fruit folks!

The town has these earth movers strategically placed near all the spots off Route 36 that normally flood.

Stay Safe Everybody.

What The Duck Saw

I was pulling out of the marina parking lot when I noticed this one lone duck just sitting there gazing toward the trees. All the others had moved on down the stream.

I pulled over and crossed the road to get closer and followed the duck's gaze into the trees ...

One of the guys at the nearby fish shack said they are herons. The one farther up in the tree never moved but the other one posed a bit for me. At one point I felt he was looking right into my eyes. Then he grew tired of me and gave me the butt.

There are many creeks and streams in and around my town and I'm pleased to say that many local groups work hard to protect them.

NATURE NOTES