PEACE NJ - People Enjoying Active Conservation of the Environment in NJ

06/17/2026

Great Blue Heron Taking Big Fish 061526

Walking along the Musconetcong River in Alumni Park I was pretty excited to spot a great blue heron in the middle of the river- as I have seen so many times. Then I watched as it quickly walked to the bank. Next thing I knew I watched as it plucked a big fish out of the river. I watched as it positioned the fish and then down its gullet it went....

Walking along the Musconetcong River in Alumni Park I was pretty excited to spot a great blue heron in the middle of the river- as I have seen so many times. Then I watched as it quickly walked to …

06/16/2026

Buck Encounter On The Trail 061526

While on my morning walkabout I came upon the second buck of the day. He was feeding on a trail between the old hatchery ponds.

While on my morning walkabout I came upon the second buck of the day. He was feeding on a trail between the old hatchery ponds.

06/16/2026

Fawn Encounter Along Hatchery Ponds. 061526

While on my morning walkabout I came across a few deer grazing along and in one of the old hatchery ponds. A doe moved across the pond and as she stepped onto the far bank and into the woods a fawn stood up and followed her disappearing into the thickets that lined the bank.

While on my morning walkabout I came across a few deer grazing along and in one of the old hatchery ponds. A doe moved across the pond and as she stepped onto the far bank and into the woods a fawn…

06/13/2026

Painted Rocks On The Trail

I have always had a problem with stacked rocks or cairns as they are better known as. Cairns are human stacked rocks or mounds of stones used globally since prehistoric times.Traditionally they act as landmarks, burial sites or trail markers. This meaning is fine with me but when I see these stacked rocks and that is not the intention and it is done as a form of expression in our natural world that is where I have the problem....

I have always had a problem with stacked rocks or cairns as they are better known as. Cairns are human stacked rocks or mounds of stones used globally since prehistoric times.Traditionally they act…

06/10/2026

Great Blue Heron On Dead Limb In River 060426

Paddling upstream on the Musconetcong River just below Saxton Lake I came upon a great blue heron perched on a drowned tree limb in the river. I watched the bird as I quietly glided toward it. Surprisingly it did not fly away right away like so many of the other herons I encounter do. This one was very patient while all around it the river activity continued....

Paddling upstream on the Musconetcong River just below Saxton Lake I came upon a great blue heron perched on a drowned tree limb in the river. I watched the bird as I quietly glided toward it. Surp…

06/08/2026

Walkabouts Last week of May

The last week of May was full of encounters on my walkabouts. Here are some highlights. Fawn In Grass 1 051826Download

The last week of May was full of encounters on my walkabouts. Here are some highlights. Fawn In Grass 1 051826Download

06/08/2026

Snapping Turtle Preparing To Lay Eggs Alumni Field Park 060526

I was on my morning walkabout at Alumni Filed Park when I came across a snapping turtle preparing a whole to lay her eggs in. I observed her for a bit while she rested from digging. I then left her. to continue the task at hand. Every day at the park reveals some sort of experience. This was one I have yet to come across in all my years on the trials.

I was on my morning walkabout at Alumni Filed Park when I came across a snapping turtle preparing a whole to lay her eggs in. I observed her for a bit while she rested from digging. I then left her…

06/06/2026

Today we celebrated Free Fishing Day at Doug A Blake park in Hackettstown with the Musconetcong Watershed Association's Ben Yasulka...and 24 new friends!
Despite the heat, some even caught fish!

06/05/2026

Walkabout 051626

Collection from my walkabout a few weeks ago. This was my time in the park the day I spotted a big black bear. That was certainly the highlight of the morning but there was plenty of other encounters that were just as magical. That early morning sun paints such a vivid and mystical look to the the landscape and critters of the area.

Collection from my walkabout a few weeks ago. This was my time in the park the day I spotted a big black bear. That was certainly the highlight of the morning but there was plenty of other encounte…

06/05/2026

Join us and the MWA for a FREE fun morning at Doug A Blake (aka Alumni) Park in Hackettstown Saturday June 6 9am-1:30pm. We provide fishing gear and light refreshments. You will learn about the beautiful Musconetcong River and how to fish. People of all ages are welcome! Because it is one of NJ's two Free Fishing Days--no license is necessary!