This past Thursday I took a short mid-afternoon drive just to look around to see what I could find. In my travels I worked my way over to Serepta Rd. near Osmun Rd. where there is a wetlands wildlife sanctuary. I’ve always enjoyed this place. You can drive slowly along the guard rail and look into the wetlands.

When I got there is was about 2:15 p.m. and I was marveling just how beautifully it was with its soft golden colors, showcasing all the many plants at this complex site! I was having a truly enjoyable time, searching for the occasional tiny bird flickering among the remnants of seeds, on the plants, located literally, just over the guard rail. My camera was set on ‘birding’; this allows the camera to focus on the bird/subject, and somehow reduce or completely irradicate, any other objects which were in between the camera and subject, making for a clean shot.  NOTE:  Believe me, in this mode, you are completely absorbed in your camera’s actions as your subject is CLEAR among the surroundings, AND, then quickly, your subject is unfocused, and all the other surroundings are clear. This back and forth scenario, means you keep your finger on the ‘photo button’ and just hope your clear image is in the viewer when you snap the photo! I hate to think of doing this with film because you are usually deleting over half the photos!

I am having some success with photographing small birds foraging just over the guard rail when I heard, and then noticed, some movement in the bushes a little further out. Zoomed in with my camera and waited for a couple of seconds, and here comes a young buck coming into the photo from behind the bushes. It is always a special moment when nature comes to you. This buck was probably just 50 feet away. It was enjoyable to watch his dilemma. Coming from behind the bushes I am now in his view, my car is running, but I am not moving. He obviously is checking the area out, looking at me and then looking behind him. When he checked behind him I knew as long as I stayed still he was comfortable. He then dropped his head down for a drink. After his drink, he began coming toward me, at which time I made a movie clip of his slow walk through the water before turning parallel to me continuing his walk until disappearing back into the bushes.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your perfect Open Space Short Visit! Think of it, even without any wildlife, I was enamored by the view and colors! I would have considered this a great visit with just those factors. Add the fact I am photographing birds feeding really close to me, just over the guard rail, makes it all the better. AND THEN, hear and watch a deer literally come into the photo. PLUS, I was able to get a nice video of his actions coming at me and enjoying his domain! On a scale of 1 thru 10, I believe this is 20!!

Enjoy Your Open Space – I SURE DID!!

Charlie Fineran   

Director Open Space   

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman    

Allamuchy Historical Society – President