Our Photo of the Week came out of the blue and really caught me off guard, giving me quite a pleasant SURPRISE!!  This is one of those situations where EVERYTHING suddenly turns Topsy-Turvy and is out of place!!  (NOTE: Glad I always have my Camera handy!!)

Circumstances just prior to the photo certainly played a role in my being caught off guard, so to speak!  (I am thinking, this situation will stir up some similar memories for each of you!!)  We had just finished our dinner in Hackettstown and were leaving the restaurant, with a couple of take-out orders for family at home.  We needed to make a quick stop at the store located across the mall’s parking to pick up some light bulbs.  Back in the car, driving through the parking lot, something catches my eye in the detention basin alongside the exit road.

HIT BRAKES

STOP

LOOK

“THAT’S A BEAVER!!!!!!!” 

I know we all have seen wildlife among us and in areas out of their normal realm, BUT, and maybe this is just me, A BEAVER??  If I asked you to name some wildlife, that you might have a possibility of seeing,in a busy Business District, would a beaver come to mind??!!

OBSERVATIONS related to this story: 

FIRST, we certainly should be thankful that we live in such a beautiful area!  Even in our business areas, with a man-made detention basin, our nearby beautiful wild surroundings, offer us many opportunities to view Wildlife, even during our everyday activities.

SECOND,  always be observant. You just never know what or where you might come across a “Really Special Moment!”

THIRD,  remember, we have many wonderful sites/sights in our area.  For example, regarding this story,  The Musconetcong River is designated in places as Wild & Scenic, and for this incident, we can probably thank the River’s close proximity.  Two major park areas are located nearby; Stephens and Allamuchy Mountain State Parks are just to the north of Hackettstown, and Morris County’s vast Parklands are located just across the river and to the east of Hackettstown.  Hackettstown’s very own Riverside Park also contributes to its Open Space.  AGAIN, we are very fortunate we have all these wonderful assets literally in our backyards.

Please visit my Flickr sites for more photos and info about Beavers:

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President