By LRWP Board Members Missy Holzer and Heather Fenyk

For K-12 students, there is only one New Jersey Student Learning Standard (NJSLS) on rivers: “Use maps to identify physical features (e.g., continents, oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains).” On Monday October 20, Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership Board Members Missy Holzer and Heather Fenyk joined K-12 educators attending the New Jersey Council for the Social Studies annual conference to lead what we hope was the first of many workshops to support educators and students in using maps and rivers to learn about, and connect to, their communities. We now invite K-12 educators from all disciplines to explore curricular materials we shared at our NJCSS2024 session, titled “Using Rivers as a Contextual Bridge to Connect K-8 Students to Their Communities: A First Nations Perspective.” A curriculum guide and all workshop materials, including the powerpoint, bibliography, and detailed teacher and student case study guides, are available at: https://tinyurl.com/LRWP24NJCSS.

This LRWP workshop for social studies teachers emerged from our own place-based, problem-based teaching orientation, and built specifically on our Spring 2024 volunteer eel monitoring program. We centered the lesson around a special case study: “The Mystery of the Missing American Glass Eels,” and also worked to support educator comfort with using maps, particularly topographic maps, as tools for student understanding of change to their local landscape over time. Our aim, as always, is to help educators use local waterways to connect students to their backyards, while developing our next generation of local stewards.

While it may seem unusual for an environmental non-profit to engage with K-12 social studies educators, the LRWP sees great potential to connect with multiple disciplines, including social studies, science, math and art. From the past to the present, and into the future, New Jersey’s waterways were and are vital to our existence. Besides being a continual source of water, our rivers, streams, and canals have implicitly and explicitly shaped our presence in the state. Drinking water, food, transportation (people and goods), industry, energy, and recreation are a few of the services our waterways have contributed to life in New Jersey.

Viewing our waterways from a watershed perspective that includes all the tributaries, rivers, and wetlands within a drainage area, connects communities to each other as much as they connect the flow of water from the headwaters of a river to the sea. Our Lower Raritan Watershed, its lands, streams, and the Raritan River, offer a host of case-based, problem-based, and place-based approaches to formal and informal investigation of these connections from the past, present, and future. The LRWP invites formal and informal educators to connect with us to discuss opportunities to partner for classroom or field based approaches to learning and inquiry.

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County have wrapped up their 6th season of water quality monitoring along the Raritan river! A very big thank you to all the volunteers who joined us in the field this summer: Art Allgauer, Ed Carrington, Frank Dahl, Shely Dash, Andrew Gehman, Sofi Grossman, Amane Kariya, Rose Lawless, Sanil and Thulasi Nambiar, Irene Riegner and Nibav Velan. Throughout the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday October 3, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at TWO of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).

Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you decide to recreate on Raritan this weekend, please keep this data in mind and wash up properly after any activities!

An overcast covered the Raritan from the docks of the Rutgers boathouse, the river’s tranquility gave us a peaceful start to our last Thursday morning of monitoring. Photo credit: Jocelyn Palomino

While doing field observations at the Edison Boat Basin, Sofi Grossman and Jocelyn stumbled upon a seemingly injured gull on the rocks by the water. It did not appear to be physically injured, however, it was unable to fly or walk. Art Allgauer gladly offered to drop the gull off at The Raptor Trust- a rehabilitation center in Millington. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman

We usually spot a lot of interesting wildlife at our Sayreville site, but we think we may have spotted a juvenile eagle yesterday thanks to Sofi and Franks’s binoculars. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman

Very large horseshoe crab shell on the shores of the South Amboy beach! Photo credit: Sofi Grossman

The sun broke through the clouds as we reached the end of our 2024 season at Perth Amboy. Thank you again to all the volunteers who were a part of the program- hope to see you again next summer! Photo credit: Sofi Grossman

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday September 26, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at FOUR of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy)

Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you decide to recreate on Raritan this weekend, please keep this data in mind and wash up properly after any activities!

Our monitoring team was eager to be joined by Sandy Castor on the Rutgers Boathouse docks, Middlesex County’s Department Head and our VIP this week! Sandy took part in our usual monitoring work like collecting data off the YSI and grabbing our sample for the week, alongside our community volunteers. Despite the gloomy weather, sharing our pathogens work with Sandy was a great start to the morning!

Another week of bottles and debris at the Rutgers Boathouse, along with a fish kill. Photo credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Art Allgauer (right)

A massive log found its way in between the docks at the Edison Boat Basin, Photo credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Amongst the usual flock of gulls at Sayreville, we were able to spot one cormorant on a dock post using the breeze to dry up, while another went for a lonesome swim in the Raritan. Photo credit: Jocelyn Palomino

We usually find very little trash when we arrive at our South Amboy site, however, a lot of garbage was left behind after the high tide for us to clean-up. We also found two smooth dogfish/sand sharks on the shore that appear to have been preyed on… Photo credit: Art Allgauer (left) and Jocelyn Palomino (right)

The combined sewer system (CSS) in Perth Amboy had a light overflow due to some morning drizzle, however, it most likely increased with the rain that followed after. Special thanks to our volunteers: Art Allgauer, Sofi Grossman, Sanil Nambiar, and Irene Riegner! Photo credit: Art Allgauer (left) and Jocelyn Palomino (right)

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday September 19, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at FOUR of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin (Edison) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison) and South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).

Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you decide to recreate on Raritan this weekend, please keep this data in mind and wash up properly after any activities!

Just two more weeks left of summer monitoring!! As always, BIG thanks to our volunteers who joined us in the field this week: Irene Riegner, Sofi Grossman, Frank Dahl, and Art Allgauer.

Frank Dahl manning the YSI at Riverside Park in Piscataway, catch a glimpse of the real-time numbers Frank was looking at in the second picture. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Stagnant waters at the Rutgers Boathouse caused a scummy buildup across the surface of the Raritan, we also spotted a dead fish among the pile of debris next to bottles, bottles, and more bottles! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Tuesday’s Supermoon greatly affected the tides Thursday morning, some of our sites were too flooded to access but luckily we had waders ready, Photo Credit: Art Allgauer

The carcass of what appeared to be a juvenile black-backed gull washed up on the boat ramp at LR4- Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

At LR5- South Amboy Waterfront Park, we also had some interesting finds as a result of aquatic life being washed up from the high-tide. Apart from dozens of horseshoe crabs molts, we spotted a dried up Manta stingray right along the shoreline- which was a first for us! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Art Allgauer (right)

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday September 12, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at TWO of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), and South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).

Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you decide to recreate on Raritan this weekend, keep this data in mind and be sure to wash up after any activities!

Special thanks to the volunteers who joined us on the field: Sofi Grossman, Irene Riegner and Art Allgauer!

Once again, the Rutgers Boathouse docks were piled up with debris and trash similar to last week. We witnessed some fish jumping out of the water and floundering about near the docks, however, the Dissolved Oxygen levels we recorded (9.0 mg/L and 102.7% saturation) indicated an appropriate level of oxygen for aquatic life to survive. We will keep a close eye on the situation in the following weeks. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

The Raritan river was abundant with wildlife early Thursday morning. From two deer embracing each other on the shore of the Rutgers Boathouse, to a number of egrets and gulls at the Edison Boat Basin- it was a lively day to do some monitoring! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

The docks at Sayreville’s Ken Buchanan Waterfront after days with no precipitation. The smell was FOUL to say the least! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

We don’t usually spot herons at our Perth Amboy site, but this lovely heron was spotted on the docks before flying out for his catch of the morning. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

In our newly implemented monitoring task of “site clean-ups,” we have noticed LR2 and LR6 tend to have a higher volume of trash in comparison to our other sites, a majority of the trash being plastic/glass bottles. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

In partnership with SEWA USA – Central New Jersey Chapter, the LRWP is pleased to co-host a special Boat Shop Open House on Saturday September 14, 2-5pm at our 101 Raritan Avenue Boat Shop in Highland Park.

We welcome you to join us for refreshments, boat build demos, rain barrel painting, a special presentation by Rutgers Professor Chris Obropta, a clean-up at Donaldson Park, and a change to get out on the Raritan River for a paddle!

Please note that parking will be tight: if you drive, you will want to find parking on the side streets.

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday September 5, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at only ONE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).

Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are out on the Raritan this weekend enjoying the last of the summer weather, be sure to wash up after any activities just to be safe!

This week, the team was joined in the field by Land Steward Ed Carrington from Duke Farms who eagerly helped us with the collection of YSI data and site clean-ups. We appreciate you, Ed! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

An unidentified carcass found on the docks of Riverside Park in Piscataway to start off our Thursday morning!! Photo Credit: Frank Dahl

Unusual amount of debris and trash piled up against the Rutgers docks during high tide, we spent some time cleaning up everything in reach, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

A solitaire heron enjoying the fresh breeze on the shores of the Raritan near the Edison Boat Basin, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

A full team of binoculars…we are always prepared to spot all sorts of wildlife out on the Raritan, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

THANK YOU to our volunteers who came out yesterday: Irene Riegner, Art Allgauer, Ed Carrington, Frank Dahl, and Sofi Grossman! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

After the intense rainfall we received on Wednesday night, lab results for our water quality samples taken on Thursday August 29, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at FOUR of our monitoring sites during this Labor Day weekend. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin (Edison) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison) and South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).

Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you choose to spend your holiday weekend recreating on the Raritan, please be sure to take all safety precautions into consideration and wash up after enjoying any activities!

Our visual habitat assessments recorded large amounts of debris at a majority of our sites, from the rain and lightning in the area the night before, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Beautiful weather on Thursday morning after Wednesday’s aftermath, quite a few people were out enjoying the outdoors- including a local artist who was at the Edison Boat Basin painting the scenery. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Irene Riegner spotted a number of avian wildlife flying over the Raritan with her binoculars on Thursday morning. From cormorants to great blue herons- we saw it all yesterday! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Our volunteers are essential to providing the community with a weekly status of the Raritan’s water quality, thank you to Nibav Velan and Irene Riegner for joining us in the field this week! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Irene Riegner (right)

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday August 22, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at only ONE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).

Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you recreate on the Raritan this weekend, be sure to take all safety precautions into consideration and wash up after any water-based activities!

Caught a glimpse of the enlarged moon during pre-calibration on early Thursday morning, after this Monday’s Supermoon that will occur again in mid-September, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

We spotted lots of folks out recreating at each of our sites, as well as an abundance of wildlife this week. Can you spot the heron hiding by the D&R canal at the Rutgers Boathouse? Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Half of the flock flew away as the team approached the docks, but the other half stayed to watch us collect water samples on the messy docks of LR4- Ken Buchanan Waterfront. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Beautiful weather this weekend to enjoy the outdoors before the summer comes to an end- use and share our data to help plan your weekend activities on the Raritan!! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Huge thanks to our volunteers for joining us in the field this week: Irene Riegner, Nibav Velan and Frank Dahl! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Frank Dahl (right)

Essay and photos by Joe Mish

August foliage provides the canvas upon which September begins to smudge and splash bright colors across the landscape. These scattered traces of color are the threads from which the blanket of full fall brilliance is woven.

As the earth squints at the sun, the decreasing daylength triggers a seasonal response, marked by visual changes in leaf color. The bold statement of color, expanding daily, by the hand of an unseen artist, fires the imagination of the human mind to dwell in a borderless realm of magic and possibility.

In the time before science, the wonders of the natural world were rationalized by myth, to satisfy the overpowering human curiosity, which demanded explanation. In a way, the periodic appearance of leaf color was a teaching aid to foster human survival by articulating the most critical elements of adaptation, creativity, and imagination.

The world that surrounds us is the catalyst for all we create, innovation is the product of imagination. Inspiration may be found in the least probable places, where the path of a fallen leaf on the driveway, leads directly to the starlit heavens and their impact on the earth and all living things.

I enjoy taking a paleo perspective to view nature and try to share the experience and emotion of my kindred paleo counterparts. Standing in their moccasins, I would come to realize a repetitive pattern exists which provides predictability, a key to survival and a reference point upon which to stack temporary facts. The appearance of color precedes the arrival of cold weather, a reminder to be prepared for snow and cold. See the colors of the sunset and rise, appear on the leaves. The overflowing colors are spattered across the landscape as the sun crashes into or escapes from the earth, to allow the colors of the sky to be held in your hand.

Summer has a home in September, so the transition to autumn is quite subtle, though hints of color stand out like small islands in the sea of green. While some specific trees and shrubs turn off the green, early in September, random species will always showcase a wink of color.

Black walnut trees are the first to turn yellow and shed leaves. They appear abandoned and leafless, while nearby trees are still veiled in green. The ground beneath the trees covered in a thick layer of yellow leaves, and laden with walnuts encased in thick green husks appear as if set on a yellow tablecloth for distribution and consumption by the local gray squirrels.

Staghorn sumac surrenders its green but retains its gold and red leaflets as adornments to compliment its dark brown hairy seed clusters. Many are already marked by white-tail deer bucks, scraping the velvet from their antlers.

Sassafras trees appear adorned in yellow or red, some leaves, in the shape of colorful mittens, as if displayed on a rack for sale.

American sycamore leaves are light green and edged with a golden brown as they begin to change in late summer. Their height and crown easily seen, especially when growing in groves along a watercourse is an obvious sign of changing seasons.

Native dogwood trees in late summer are adorned with faded reddish-purple leaves and bright red gleaming berries, which stand in contrast to each other and make this small understory tree, a fall treat to behold.

Black gum trees, found along the upper South Branch, are first in flight in their beech, birch, maple neighborhood association, as their obovate leaves, egg shaped with the broad end toward the tip, turn a rich salmon color and actually look like old fashioned Christmas lights.

Still, it is the random splash of color that catches the eye long before the great parade of fall color arrives. A single leaf of pumpkin orange appears among the dark green crown of an oak tree, as if signaling for rescue, afloat on an expanse of green ocean, five thousand feet below a search plane.

Unable to keep a secret, or simply out of step with the fall choreography, these colorful precursors are the sparks that light the autumn fire.

Author Joe Mish has been running wild in New Jersey since childhood when he found ways to escape his mother’s watchful eyes. He continues to trek the swamps, rivers and thickets seeking to share, with the residents and visitors, all of the state’s natural beauty hidden within full view. To read more of his writing and view more of his gorgeous photographs visit Winter Bear Rising, his wordpress blog. Joe’s series “Nature on the Raritan, Hidden in Plain View” runs monthly as part of the LRWP “Voices of the Watershed” series. Writing and photos used with permission from the author.