All about the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, NJ, with occasional forays afield. Copyright 2013, Jim Wright, author of "Hawk Mountain" and "The Nature of the Meadowlands" -- with additional posts by Rob Fanning and Seymour Drakes.
Lisa Safier took the photos above and below on Friday. She writes:"These were taken on 3/5/10 behind my house. Thought you might be
interested in seeing them.
"As you can see, the crows were mobbing the eagle in
typical fashion. Note the size difference between the two birds. I was totally
amazed when I saw this!!!!" (Thanks, Lisa!)
Update: Two other Bald Eagles were seen at the CF on Sunday afternoon.
We had plenty of great raptors on the trip. A few of the highlights included the Snail Kite (pictured above and at right), the Black-Collared Hawk, the Bat Falcon, Great Black Hawk, White Hawk, the Spectacled Owl, the seemingly ubiquitous Roadside Hawk and four species of vulture.
On Sunday, I posted a shot of Redtail by the Spillway Bridge in the Celery Farm as he reduced the local squirrel population. Ron Filomeno happened by a few minutes later, when the Redtail was well into his entree. Ron took several nifty shots, a few of which I am posting here for hawk lovers and the carnivore crowd. (Thanks, Ron!).
I went on a hike at High Mountain Park Preserve in Wayne with the New Jersey chapter of The Nature Conservancy on Saturday, and saw this guy. A Red-tailed Hawk was not happy to share the forest with the GHO, but the owl didn't seem fazed in the least.
Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack: Swan Babies This children's book, photographed at the Celery Farm, is the heart-warming true story of a pair of mute swans who overcame a nor'easter to save their nest.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Wright, Barrack & Friends of the Celery Farm: Survival: The Red-shouldered Hawks of Allendale This book is now avaialble as a download for iPads. Via Blurb.com: http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/2677163
Jim Wright, Doug Goodell and Jerry Barrack: Jungle of the Maya The definitive coffee-table book about Central America's largest -- and threatened -- rainforest. With sections on rare birds, howler monkeys and spider monkeys, Maya history, butterflies and more.
Available on line. Wild Birds Unlimited may have a few copies.
Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack, with Doug Goodell: In the Presence of Nature
This is the coffee table book about the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, published in 2002 and now out of print. It tells the history of the farm and features great photography, Foreword by David Allen Sibley.
Copies are available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack: Icky the Hungry Heron
A children's book about an amazing Great Blue Heron's quest for a gigantic carp at the Celery Farm, featuring photographs taken at the natural area.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Jim Wright and Kevin Watson: Hawk Mountain
This coffee-table book was published in 2009 as part of the world-famous raptor sanctuary's 75th anniversary. Features great photos by Kevin Watson, thoughtful prose, and some neat archival photos as well.
Available at Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and online.
Jim Wright and the Artists of Northern Highlands: Ghosts of Allendale
A ghost story featuring Founding Father John Fell and the Celery Farm Natural Area.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Now on sale at the Lee Memorial Library in Allendale, Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus It tells the history of the farm and features great photography, Foreword by David Allen Sibley. While supplies last.
Jim Wright, Jerry Barrack, Doug Goodell: Duck Enough To Fly
The classic children's book is now back in print. Photographed at the Celery Farm. The book is for sale as Nov. 29 at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale and Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus.
Photography by Jerry Barrack, Text by Jim Wright: Birds of the Celery Farm
This is a collection of Jerry Barrack's classic bird photography taken at the Celery Farm -- where else?
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus, and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.