Marine Nature Study Area: Part III

Some foliage we encountered:

We were very shocked to see cactus growing on Long Island...but there it was!  

You an read more about this cactus here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opuntia

Above is a shot of droplets of water on a lilly pad.

Marine Nature Study Area: Part II

Here are some of the areas we saw at the Marine Nature Study Area:

Beach Area

Marsh Area

Woodland Area

Shore Area

Marine Nature Study Area: Part I

This past Saturday, Cindy and I ventured to the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside.  I think that aside from the opportunity to see some wildlife, the shore, and take some pix, we were intrigued by the boardwalks that let you walk out into the marsh.

We walked out onto this boardwalk.  It was a really cool experience to walk out into the  marsh.

One of the paths that we walked

An old path not in use now

Here are two links to learn more about the Marine Nature Study Area:

http://www.estuary.cog.ny.us/access_guide/site35.html

http://toh.li/preserves-and-nature-areas/marine-nature-study-area

To be continued tomorrow...

My Backyard

Just a couple of pix today from my backyard today.  Yes, BIRDS again!  Well, they are fascinating and cute.  

Downy Woodpecker

Bird on Post

  

Stay tuned starting tomorrow for pix from yesterday's trip to the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside.

Yellow Butterfly

I guess I was most amazed that this butterfly had huge green eyes.

The Rock Pigeon

The Rock Pigeon is the common pigeon that we are used to seeing every day.

I saw this particular Rock Pigeon at Levy Preserve.

Check out this website for some Cool Facts about the Rock Pigeon:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rock_Pigeon/lifehistory

The Colour Blue Photo Theme

I participate in a photography page on FB (Fatdragon100), and the theme for photos this week is 'The Colour Blue Photo Theme.'  

Here is my submission:  

Below is the original photo.  It was taken at the Central Park Zoo in full daylight with a Canon Powershot SD550.  I edited the photo in GIMP by adding the lens flare in the top right hand corner and enhancing the blue in the photo to match the theme.  I think the lens flare goes well with the highlight on the side of the bird's head, and I think the added 'blueness' makes the photo pop and gives it a fantasy like quality.  I really like how it came out.