What the heck is this? (On the left.) Maybe a tad larger than a quarter-dollar. Recently appearing at Lee Memorial Library.

I am sorry to report that guest speaker extraordinaire Kevin Watson is under the weather, so tonight's Fyke gathering will feature a 50-minute PBS documentary about Cuba.

If it's the one I am familiar with, it is excellent.

Kevin's talk will be rescheduled.

If you are attending to attend, please wear a Covid mask. All attendees must wear one.

Thanks.

September 23, 2022, Friday – 8 p.m., Allendale Municipal Building

African Safari: Big Game and Birds, Kevin Watson

Birder and photographer Kevin Watson returns with a program about the incredible wildlife in Africa. This will be a "highlights show," with Kevin's best images from visits to three countries, Zambia, Kenya and Uganda.

There will be large mammals - lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hippos and so on. But Africa is also home to an amazing variety of bird life, and Kevin will present images of many of the star attractions, including Hornbills, Bee-eaters, Turacos, Owls, Eagles and the prehistoric-looking Shoebill.

Kevin is a terrific speaker. Not to be missed!

The talk is free and open to the public.

The Municipal Building is at 500 W. Crescent Ave. in Allendale. The talk will be on the second floor.

A video of the presentation will be available online for a short time afterward. I will post a link here.

In an abundance of caution, attendees are required to wear Covid-preventive  masks.

Since 2015 Fyke's monthly speaker costs have been funded by a generous grant from the Winifred M. and George P. Pitkin Foundation

I am doing a free Zoom talk on High Mountain and its historic Clove Tuesday night at 7:30 for the Master Gardeners of Bergen County, and it's open to all.

Tuesday, September 20, 7:30 p.m.

All About High Mountain and the Clove

High Mountain is a 1,160-acre nature preserve in nearby Passaic County. The Clove is a geological and historic gem located at the north end of the preserve. Too few people know about either.

Local nature writer Jim Wright, who does the Bird Watcher column for The Record, has been visiting and learning about High Mountian and its Clove for over a decade.

Attractions include the scenic small ravine itself, a nearby waterfall, rare plants, local wildlife and a human history that predates the Lenapes by more than a millennium.

Jim will also talk briefly about local efforts to get New Jersey to ban rat-poison bait stations. These poisons are lethal to raptors, other wildlife, and pets.

Jim apologizes for the use of the third person in this writeup.

You should be able to click on this link beginning at 7:15 on Tuesday:

https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/92692588641?pwd=a3l5VlpxTzlJWkgwUndIb3Z0Q1pLQT09#success

Password: 692429

This is tough one. Can you I.D. these two large birds over Crestwood Lake last week?