Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)

Mercer Meadows was a sanctuary of quiet, where time seemed to slow down, letting us breathe in the stillness. The soft rustling of the grasses and the occasional distant call of a bird were the only sounds, and it felt good to be there, to let the peacefulness of the place seep into our bones.

From the observation platform, Bhavna spotted a butterfly fluttering near the edge of the trail. I have to admit, I was a bit dismissive at first, thinking it was just another Eastern Tiger [...]

https://islandinthenet.com/viceroy-limenitis-archippus/

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail at Mercer Meadows

#Butterfly #MercerMeadows #Insects #PhotographersOfThreads #PoleFarm #EasternTigerSwallowtail

https://islandinthenet.com/eastern-tiger-swallowtail-papilio-glaucus/

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail at Mercer Meadows

The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers and freshly cut grass, a heady mixture that seemed to amplify the stillness of the afternoon. It was warm, not overwhelmingly so, but enough that I could feel the heat. A gentle breeze occasionally swept through, offering brief moments of relief. It carried with it the soft rustle of leaves and the distant hum of cicadas.

As we approached the fields near the observation deck, I saw a multitude of dragonflies engaged in frantic flight as if [...]

https://islandinthenet.com/eastern-tiger-swallowtail-papilio-glaucus/

Pearl Crescent at Mercer Meadows

#butterfly #mercermeadows #polefarm

https://islandinthenet.com/pearl-crescent-at-mercer-meadows/

Pearl Crescent at Mercer Meadows.

A few weeks ago in August, Bhavna and I decided to take a late afternoon walk at the Pole Farm in Mercer Meadows. It was one of those spontaneous decisions, the kind where neither of us expected much—just a bit of fresh air and some time outside. Bhavna had been eager to get out, and I was more reluctant, preferring the comfort of home. But she knew how to nudge me in the right direction, promising that we would stop by The Druery, a charming brewery near the Keefe Road entrance, just [...]

https://islandinthenet.com/pearl-crescent-at-mercer-meadows/

Mercer Meadows Maidenhead Trail

A sunny spring Saturday afternoon walk in Mercer Meadows.

https://islandinthenet.com/mercer-meadows-maidenhead/

#BicycleTrail #CardinalisCardinalis #LawrenceHopewellTrail #LawrencevilleTownship #MercerCounty #MercerMeadows #NorthernCardinal #PoleFarm #Spring #WalkingTrail

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

I had put the Merlin ID app away, and chatting with Bhavna as we walked around the small loop had become my main focus. On the trail back to Pole Farm, the trees receded and we were once again surrounded by the expanse of meadow. Despite cradling the digital camera equivalent of a newborn human,…

https://islandinthenet.com/eastern-bluebird-sialia-sialis/

#BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #Birding #Birds #EasternBluebird #Lawrencevill #MercerCounty #MercerMeadows #Nature #PoleFarm #SialiaSialis #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography

Mercer Meadows - Pole Farm

A sunny spring Saturday afternoon walk in Mercer Meadows.

https://islandinthenet.com/mercer-meadows-pole-farm/

#BicycleTrail #LawrenceHopewellTrail #LawrencevilleTownship #MercerCounty #MercerMeadows #PoleFarm #Spring #WalkingTrail