More than 20 red-bellied turtles are basking on this log in the Pinelands. The red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris) ranges from 10" to 15 3/4th" in length and is the largest basking turtle in our area, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. They have a red-orange plastron and a dark carapace.

FILLING A CANVAS: Happy Turtle Tuesday! Here's a new photo of more than 20 native red-bellied #turtles basking on a log in the New Jersey Pinelands. It kind of looks like a turtle convention. Do I see team building? 🤔 🐢

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#turtle #wildlife #nature

New photos of dogwoods flowering among a deep blue sky in the Pinelands.

New photos of dogwoods flowering among a deep blue sky in the Pinelands.

New photos of dogwoods flowering among a deep blue sky in the Pinelands.

Dogwoods offer year-round interest, with cheery blooms, bright red fruits that birds adore, and red-purple leaves that are beloved by humans each autumn.

A macro photo showing the green and yellow true flowers of the dogwood, surrounded by its white, modified leaves.

“Its showy, white ‘flowers’ (which are actually modified leaves surrounding the tiny, yellow-green, true flowers) appear April-May, offering a valuable nectar source for native bees,” according to Jersey Friendly Yards. Here's a macro view ...

A new view of the flower-covered branches of a native flowering dogwood, illuminated by sunlight at our headquarters in Pemberton Township, NJ

A SPRING OF BEAUTY : New Jersey native flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) are blooming at our headquarters in the Pinelands Area of Pemberton Township. This species is another wonderful, commercially available #tree for the home or office landscape. 🌳

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#trees #flowers #spring

The falcate orangetip butterfly sports light orange on the tips of its dorsal wings. Its wings are white, with mottled black specks on its ventral side. They are much smaller than similar-looking cabbage white butterflies, which also lack the orange wingtips.

Falcate orangetips are smaller than cabbage white butterflies and vastly more difficult to photograph, given their zigzagging flight pattern, in my experience.

The falcate orangetip butterfly sports light orange on the tips of its dorsal wings. Its wings are white, with mottled black specks on its ventral side.

ORANGE YOU COOL: Happy Sunday! Here are new photos of a falcate orangetip #butterfly that was fluttering along a sand road in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in the New Jersey Pinelands. Have you seen this species? 🍊 🦋 ..

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#insects #wildlife

It is sand and small gravel. This photo was taken in a remote area with globally rare, dwarf pine and oak trees. Much of the sand is considered to be "sugar sand," which is very fine sand and pale white.

In early spring, this “moss”produces masses of white, five-petaled flowers with yellow pollen sacs set low between the petals. I captured these photos with three different cameras and three different lenses, including a macro lens.

In early spring, this “moss”produces masses of white, five-petaled flowers with yellow pollen sacs set low between the petals. I captured these photos with three different cameras and three different lenses, including a macro lens.

In early spring, this “moss”produces masses of white, five-petaled flowers with yellow pollen sacs set low between the petals. I captured these photos with three different cameras and three different lenses, including a macro lens.

In early spring, this “moss”produces masses of white, five-petaled flowers with yellow pollen sacs set low between the petals. I captured these photos with three different cameras and three different lenses, including a macro lens.

For much of the year, pyxiemoss plants resemble patches of moss because of the tiny, crowded, evergreen leaves that form prostrate mats amid the fallen brown pine needles and leaves.

Five-petalled, white pyxiemoss flowers cover the edge of a sandy trail in the Pinelands. The evergreen leaves hug the forest floor.

NATIVE STUNNER: Native pyxiemoss is blooming in the New Jersey Pinelands. Pyxiemoss (Pyxidanthera barbulata) is not a moss, but a diminutive Pinelands subshrub that grows in open, somewhat damp, sandy spots. 🌼 🌎

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#flowers #nativeplants #flower

Yes! I see that every year. Tiny Fowler’s toads hopping along the trails.

The back of a sand-coated Fowler’s toad, as viewed from above. It has reddish spots and dark blotches on its gray body.

Fowler’s toads are found mainly in sandy habitats throughout New Jersey and are active from March through late September, according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

A sand-coated Fowler’s toad with reddish warts and dark blotches on its grayish body. Thry are one of two toad species in the Pinelands. The other is the spadefoot toad

WARTY FOR THE PARTY: Happy Toad Friday! Here are new photos of a delightful, sand-coated Fowler’s #toad that was hopping beside a trail in the New Jersey Pinelands. 🐸 🌎

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#toads #fridayvibes

We will add them going forward. Thank you!

Have you seen redheaded woodpeckers in your area?

The redheaded woodpecker boasts a wingspan of 16.5 inches (or about the size of a hairy woodpecker), with a bright red head, white underparts and a black back, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 🐦

RARE BEAUTY: Here are new photos of a native, rare redheaded woodpecker in the NJ Pinelands. The redheaded #woodpecker is listed as a threatened species (breeding population) in NJ. I reported my sighting and sent photos to the NJDEP. ❤️

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#birds #birdphotos #wildlife

I love seeing these brown-olive and yellow beauties wagging their tails and perched on low hanging branches and shrubs.

KEEP PALM AND CARRY ON: Happy Warbler Wednesday! Here are new photos of a gorgeous palm #warbler foraging beside a trail in the New Jersey Pinelands. 🐦 🌎

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#birds #warblers #birdphoto #wildlife

Two native spotted turtles basking on a log. Both have many yellow spots on their shell abd body. "The number of spots varies with age," according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). "Juveniles have few spots, often just one per scute, whereas adult turtles may have numerous spots on each scute. Spots may fade in older individuals, which may ultimately lose them entirely."

SPOTTED: Happy Turtle Tuesday! Here's a new photo of native spotted #turtles basking in a bog in the New Jersey Pinelands. It looks like an artist masterfully painted yellow spots on its shell and body. What turtles are you seeing in your area? 🐢 🌎

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#Wildlife #naturephoto

In South Jersey, their main caterpillar food plant is the ubiquitous pitch pine, according to the New Jersey Butterfly Club.

PINE AND DANDY: Let's ease into Monday with new photos of an eastern pine elfin butterfly that was fluttering along trails at the Franklin Parker Preserve in the New Jersey Pinelands. The eastern pine elfin (Callophrys niphon) sports a wingspan of 3/4" to 1.25". 🦋

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#insects

Today's non-native goldfish in the New Jersey Pinelands, found resting atop pine needles before proper disposal 🐟 ... #ErrantSnacks #Oopsie

📷: Paul Leakan, Pinelands Commission Communications Officer

#goldfish #eating #food #fish

The pure white upper flower stalks topped with tight clusters of tiny bright yellow flowers combine to form glowing spikes or “clubs” standing above the water surface. Prominent bluish green basal leaves can emerge above the water, float on the surface, or grow submerged.

FEELING GOLDEN: Happy Sunday! Native golden club is blooming in the New Jersey Pinelands. Early springtime is brightened by golden club (Orontium aquaticum), one of the earliest aquatic #flowers to display in Pinelands streams and lakes.🌼

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#plants #flower #nature

This common species is fast, thin, can be found throughout NJ, has smooth scales, can grow up to 77 inches long, and can mimic rattlesnakes by vibrating their tails on leaves and grass when they are threatened, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Happy Snake Saturday! Here are new photos of a northern black racer #snake in the New Jersey Pinelands. I stumbled across this snake while searching for warblers, butterflies, turtles, and dragonflies yesterday. I saw all of those and more! 🐍

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#Snakes #wildlife

The lavender-pink blooms of the redbud (Cercis canadensis) attract bees and human admirers alike in early April - May. A member of the legume family, the redbud’s flowers are edible and appear before the emergence of heart-shaped leaves.

PRETTY IN PINK: New photos of an eastern redbud tree that is blooming at our headquarters in the Pinelands Area of Pemberton Township. 🌸

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#trees #flowers #spring

Have you ever reported your sightings of wildlife that are listed as threatened, endangered or a species of special concern to the NJDEP?

You can report your sightings of rare wildlife or species in roadways by using the NJ Wildlife Tracker app, which is linked here:
dep.nj.gov/njfw/conserv...