Barbara Dilger took this shot of an American Coot at the CF 12-years ago today. (Thanks, Mrs. D.!)

Kind of weird to pass along some personal good news in these crazy times, but The Wall Street Journal reviewed "The  Real James Bond" today and called it "slim and elegant" and went into quite a bit about Bond, Fleming and the spy biz.

You can read the review on "The Real James Bond" book blog here.

The star atop High Mountain -- a Christmas season tradition that went dark for decades  -- is shining through the night sky above North Haledon, this time as a symbol of hope in these trying times.

The star, which Mayor Randy George resurrected this past week, had shone this past winter for the first time in 40 years until vandals struck.

I happened to be at the top of High Mountain yesterday and saw the 25-foot-tall five-pointed star back in place.

I thought I'd stop by at dusk to photograph it "in action."

You can read The Record story about the star here.

A post I did back in January about the star is here.

One big difference between now and last winter: At the base of the solar generator is a huge sign that reads:

PROPERTY OF

NORTH HALEDON

POLICE DEPARTMENT

My latest column for The Record is birding in the age of COVID-19.

It's in today's Better Living section.

(Yep, that's an Eastern Bluebird, photographed at NJ Botanical Garden in Ringwood last week.)

You can download it here:

Download TheRecord Wright Bird Watcher LF-2_20200402_LF03_0

John Pastore writes:

With the CF lockout, perhaps people would like to share photos from this day-date, but from prior years.

I will start us off:

From April 1, 2012, a Wood Duck couple (above).

From 4/1/2013, a Pied-billed Grebe (below).

(Thanks, John!)

The current issue of Northwest Bergen Lifestyle has an article about the Celery Farm.

Editor Kris Pepper interviewed me a couple of months ago for the magazine's April issue, and you can read the article online here.

Not exactly being in the Celery Farm, but it reminds us how special the place is.

(Thanks, Northwest Bergen Lifestyle!)

Here are a few photos I submitted but that didn't run...

Wanted to give everyone a head's up that the Borough of Allendale is closing the Celery Farm Natural Area until further notice.

The trails are just too narrow too much of the time for people to keep a safe distance in this age of social distancing.

Trying to put signs up at all the entrances as soon as possible.

THE CELERY FARM IS CLOSED

In conjunction with the closing of the County parks and for the safety and well-being of the residents of Allendale and all guests, the preserve, including all footpaths and observation platforms, will remain closed to the public until further notice.

We thank you for your understanding during this uncertain time. Updates can be found on the Borough’s website at:

www.allendalenj.gov

The Fyke Summer Newsletter has arrived digitally, and it's packed with news, dates, and features.

A big thank you to Carol Flanagan for putting it together.

Lots of great stuff,  including a couple of articles by Judy Cinquina, plus a perfect dab of color here and there.

You can download it here:

Download 2020-2_Fyke_Newsletter_Summer_2020

Took this at Wave Hill but I think it's in a few spots in the CF, too. What is it?