Plainsboro Preserve and butterflies
Over the weekend, Rich saw a little blurb in the newspaper that the “Environmental Education Center at the NJ Audubon Society” was presenting a talk on butterflies. Huh? He kept reading and announced that it was in Plainsboro. We’ve lived in this area for a long time, and neither of us had any idea that place existed. And, it’s not even 7 miles from where we live! We didn’t get there until about 4:45, and the talk concluded at 5, so we missed it. Even so, I was hungry to photograph some butterflies. Initially I saw one that was fluttering about a plant on the path to the Center, and I immediately started taking pictures.
After only snapping off some 6 shots, the butterfly flew away. We then went into the Center. Nice place. A person working there told me they had “zillions” of swallowtails and monarchs in the back area of the Center. She also explained that the Reserve was made up of over 1,000 acres and had over five miles of trails. She told us to stay on the trails and not venture through the trees to get to what we learned was one of the largest lakes in the area. Apparently many people were hurt doing so. Rather, she told us the trail that would eventually get there. We also learned about all of the wildflowers, the rare, and even endangered species of plants. I was eager to get outside to look for butterflies. The first thing we did was go behind the Center. We admired some of the wildflowers, but, darn, there were no butterflies to be found.
After a lot of walking, it was becoming apparent that the few butterfly photos I took earlier would be it.
When we eventually got to the lake, the lighting was very pretty and produced mirror reflections.
It was extremely peaceful. We sat at a bench on the lakes edge for some time just admiring it and enjoying the peace (and resting from the walk). We only passed one other person walking with two children during our entire walk. I suspect we’ll return again, and hopefully the next time we’ll see more of the “zillion” butterflies.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Ah, Gloria, I used to live in this area, too so your pictures bring memories. I lived in Hightstown, then Princeton, then Plainsboro. Many people ask how I could live in NJ because it is so ugly. They have no idea!!! I explain that it IS, after all, the Garden State. I’ve been back in Florida for 23 years now and have still never tasted a tomato or cantaloupe as delicious as those grown there. Enjoy the summer! (And the spring, when, IMHO, NJ is the most beautiful!!). – gale, still missing rhododendrons and daffodils.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:39 am
I can understand the “ugly” comment when people fly into Newark/Liberty Airport. BUT, have they gone up to Bernardsville? Or Cape Map? Or so many other areas that are beautiful? I’ve lived in NJ all of my life. After getting married, we lived in East Windsor, then Hightstown, now in East Windsor. I worked in downtown Princeton for some 17 years. Very pretty area. Funny about you not yet tasking a tomato or cantaloupe! My husband has relatives in Fl, the Plantation area, and my cousin now lives in Miami. My brother went to San Diego, which I admit is a great place to live.