Skylands and Ringwood Manor April 21, 2016

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NYBG April 17, 2016

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The Celery Farm

What once was a peat bog then drained to be a farm

Now repurposed as a shallow lake almost a mile around

A protected natural area a refuge for birds and birders

Made possible by dedicated volunteers.

We frequent this modest plot of wildlife habitat

The water collecting ducks following the seasons

The land hosting song birds along the margin.

We look for everything living that finds a niche here.

Joining the membership of the Fyke Association

For the stewardship opportunity to contribute

Knowing there is a warden watching out

Taking care to keep the sanctuary safe.

I wish the people who use this place as an exercise track

Would go instead to the former pig farm in Wyckoff

Or the Saddle River flood zone six mile walkway

Or anyplace else not to disturb the skittery birds.

There’s no way for me to pretend the place is pristine.

What I see makes it plain we are in the Anthropocene.

If nothing else were known or noticed our human impact

Manifest in the sewer manhole covers next to the path.

Whatever open space remains in our vicinity is like this

Wetlands or steep slopes difficult to build on

Cleared of the old growth trees and anything of value

Leaving us to try to restore the native vegetation.

Bringing back chestnut or elm trees is not possible

Though perhaps the phragmites and burning bush can be curtailed.

To make a natural area takes active land management

A kind of garden cultivation weeding out invasive species.

It would be nice to take a photograph without seeing

Those millionaire mansions across the lake

Or those white PVC pipes sticking out of the water

That I might picture the illusion of undisturbed nature.

But the engineering is what attracts the feathered ones

And those of us who seek them out with our scopes and cameras

Planting the mounted nesting boxes to invite pairings

Building platforms placed to afford the best views.

So here we are engaged with our imperfect world

Doing what we can to make it a better place

Enjoying our time here now while we may

Planning to bestow this gift to posterity.

McFaul great horned owls April 6-7, 9-10, 2016

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