This past Friday it is about 11 a.m. and I am returning home from Stroudsburg, PA. I then decided to take a short visit to Sipley Road, Blairstown, where the road is quiet and you are literally alongside the Paulinskill. I no sooner turn onto Sipley Road and notice some movement across the water on the shoreline: It’s a mink!

There was a very strong wind which made enough noise to mask any sound from my vehicle moving around. Watching this mink, I then saw another swimming across the water towards me. But no good photo op because of branches and then I lost sight of same.

In the meantime there were some ducks just up the kill a short distance. So I continued my visit along the Kill on Gwinnup Rd. where I now observed a hawk in the field adjacent to the Kill. 

Continued along Gwinnup Rd. and observed an adult Bald Eagle flying downstream passing right by me. I turned around to see if the eagle might land on one of the trees along the river. Never did see the eagle, BUT, when I got back onto Sipley Road I observed the mink again, this time swimming in the Paulinskill, and I took what turned out to be some blurry photos.

What a fun visit! And what a treat to see minks! We certainly live in a great area!

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran  

Director Open Space  

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman  

Allamuchy Historical Society _ President