Ringwood State Park in northern New Jersey is about as close as you can get to New York and not cross the border. A Saturday afternoon there with Daisy and her family was a stomach-stuffing experience of monumental proportions. We had a good time and enjoyed the outdoors, the company, and did I mention the food?

Without even actively birding I totalled 36 species of bird there, but only saw about ten. My birding ears have really improved!

The rhododendrons above and below were taken in the park’s botanical garden, along with the other flower pics.

And we saw lots of cool creepy-crawlies. The American Carrion Beetle (thanks for the ID Patrick) below crawled out from underneath a rotting log.

And if anyone wants to tell me what kind of butterfly or moth this caterpillar will become I will be very grateful.

All-in-all it was a very satisfying day in a beautiful park. The only discordant note of the day was the constant distant gunfire from the park’s skeet-shooting range. At least they’re not shooting at the birds, I guess. I highly recommend a visit!