Birds and Butterflies

After days in the upper 90s and severe lightning storms, I welcomed the surprisingly low temperature Tuesday morning. I found my Audubon sweatshirt, grabbed my backpack with bins packed inside, and started off to meet my fellow adventurers for our trip to a horse farm in central New Jersey. I congratulated myself on being so well prepared that I’d arrive at the meeting place a good ten minutes early. Then a half mile from home, I realized I’d forgotten my camera. A quick u-turn to retrieve it, and I made it to the parking area on the dot.

For this trip, someone else was driving. I relaxed in the back seat and watched the scenery change as we entered the Pine Barrens. This time of year the road was dotted with blueberry stands, and I hoped to buy some on our return trip. 

Soon we entered the farm country of the Garden State. I had envisioned that we'd be birding on a small farm, but once we turned onto the property, I was astounded at how far we drove before parking at a back field.  Although we saw various sparrow, finches, red-winged blackbirds, and a lone Cedar Waxwing in that field, the butterflies were  most interesting, at least until we saw a Red-tail Hawk circling a different field, making lots of noise. Eventually a swarm of starlings chased him away. 

The Painted Lady (see picture) posed long enough for us to snap good pictures, as did a Pearl Crescent. A Black Wood Nymph wasn't as cooperative, at least not for me.

 In spite of the lack of bird activity, it was a fun day. And I did get the blueberries on the way home.