By Endurance Laryea, LRWP Summer Research Intern.

We started and ended monitoring session today with cloudy skies and cool temperatures. While it rained before and after the session, we stayed dry thanks to some excellent timing.

All our parameters seemed to be in a good range; however, we expected the enterococci and fecal matter levels to be on the higher end due to the precipitation we experienced in the past 48 hours.

Photo by Endurance Laryea.

The team today! Lakshmi, Olesya, Endurance, Ashley, Paula and John (taking photo).

We were joined by Lakshmi at Edison where John pointed out some important features of the landscape around the river and explain the goals and activities of the LRWP Pathogens Monitoring sessions this summer.

This deer was seen wandering about in circles at Riverside Park, Piscataway when we got there this morning. It seemed to have lost its way–maybe strayed from its herd? Photo by Endurance Laryea.

High tide and stormwater led to high water levels at all seven sites.

An ash tree trunk floating near the dock. Several ash trees have died and fallen off near the river at Riverside Park, and this may have been washed in by the storm in the last couple of days. The LRWP team is currently working to try to restore trees in the riparian zone. Photo by Endurance Laryea.

John made some height demarcations on one of the poles to make it easier to see changes in river depth. Photo by Endurance Laryea.

Ashley, Paula and Endurance pose for a photo after taking samples and hydrological measurements at riverside Park. John can be spotted in the background measuring the river depth and making demarcations on the pole. Photo by Endurance Laryea.

Two fishermen spotted at the Five-Mile Lock, Easton Avenue. At the time we came for monitoring and sampling, they had not had any luck. Hopefully they did after we had left. Photo by Ashley Fritz.

Ever wondered why ducks or geese move in a straight line on water? They remind me of elementary school kids being led by their teachers on a field trip. No teacher wants to get back to school only to realize that they lost a kid! It is a similar concept with these birds; however, another theory is that they do this to conserve their energy. The leader duck creates a ‘momentum’ ahead that the ones trailing behind paddle on. Less tiredness, less slacking!

Canada geese swimming in a straight line at Rutgers Boathouse, New Brunswick. Photo by Endurance Laryea.

Paula and Ashley recording hydrological parameters at Rutgers Boathouse. Photo by Olesya Nabokova.

The honey locust trees pruned by Mike and John at Rutgers Boathouse have been fairing really well in the past couple of weeks. Thanks to the stewards at the Rutgers Boathouse who have been maintaining them and making they are not mowed down when cutting the grass.

Mike making sure the tree guards are sturdy. Photo by Endurance Laryea.

Seagulls flying frantically at Edison Boat Launch as the clouds get thicker and darker. Photo by Endurance Laryea.

Man crabbing during high tide at Edison. Photo by Endurance Laryea.

Olesya and Mike on Trash duty. Photo by Endurance Laryea.

John spotted this apple tree with its fruits almost ready to harvest. Apple flowers start to bloom in the spring. By early summer, pollination takes place and the fruits start to develop. Pollination is the beginning of the reproductive process in plants. It is followed by fertilization which is when the fruit start to develop. By late summer to early fall, the apples are ripe and ready to be harvested. Photo by Endurance Laryea

High tide in Sayreville too. Photo by Ashley Fritz.

Remember the grandfather who reminded us of his grandson a couple of weeks ago at Waterfront Park, South Amboy? He came with his grandson, Gavin, to sample with us today at this site! Gavin has grown so much within the year that he outgrew his waders, so he had to go in with his swim shorts. We were excited that he was able to join us today! Photo by Ashley Fritz.

Gavin’s grandfather looks on while he and Endurance hold the sonde in the river and Paula and Ashley record the measurements. Photo by John Meyer.

Mike holds up a half of a dead horseshoe crab. Photo by Olesya Nobokova.

Paula, Ashley and Endurance on sampling duties in Perth Amboy. Photo by Olesya Nobokova.

Mike holds up a baby diaper with his trash picker in one hand and 5-gallon bucket full of trash in the other at Perth Amboy. A poor sight to see! Photo by John Meyer.

Photo by Endurance Laryea.

Enjoy your weekend and remember to be safe if you decide to spend your time on the river this weekend!