Late Autumn Moth in Freezing Temperature . . . at Duke Farms of Hillsborough NJ
Late autumn in New Jersey tends to have a deep chill, as if fully into the winter season. The leaves blanket the ground and many of the trees are bare, creating a certain haunting air. Overcast days are typical, but there is something calmly pleasant about the quiet beauty offered at this time of year.
However, to our complete surprise and amazement, as we began our last stretch toward exiting the preserve, we caught sight of a few very tiny creatures fluttering about on this winter like day (temperature around the freezing mark of 32F or 0C). We realized that we were seeing tiny moths. One eventually landed on the path we walked and remained there just long enough to photograph it.
The late, Doris Duke, had left a wonderful legacy in converting her magnificent estate into a Natural Wildlife Preserve for the public’s education and enjoyment. The paths throughout the estate offer such splendid scenery. One is forever exploring, always seeing something subtly beautiful. There are always pleasant surprises, from the general scenery to the world of birds and other wildlife, including tiny insects and flowers that are quite enjoyable to observe and study. The bucolic nature of the preserve is so relaxing—akin to meditating while experiencing the landscape. The beauty of visiting Duke Farms is that so many incredible views are there simply by absorbing the surroundings. Besides the wonderful diversity of nature’s jewels, Doris Duke has left a part of her legacy through her passion for art—well situated throughout the preserve is a collection of glorious sculptures and fabulous examples of supreme stonework and design in the bridges, old ruins of enormous barns and stables, and a variety of other structures. The old Hay Barn ruin with its fabulous sculpture garden is truly a favorite of ours, for each and every statue seems to possess a spirit and sense of life. The landscape and backdrop can alter the mood, accordingly, depending on the time of day and seasonal changes in particular. So, spotting new and fascinating wildlife (both animals and plants) and art never ceases to add to the experience.
Late Autumn Moth in Freezing Temperature . . . at Duke Farms of Hillsborough NJ
Late autumn in New Jersey tends to have a deep chill, as if fully into the winter season. The leaves blanket the ground and many of the trees are bare, creating a certain haunting air. Overcast days are typical, but there is something calmly pleasant about the quiet beauty offered at this time of year.
However, to our complete surprise and amazement, as we began our last stretch toward exiting the preserve, we caught sight of a few very tiny creatures fluttering about on this winter like day (temperature around the freezing mark of 32F or 0C). We realized that we were seeing tiny moths. One eventually landed on the path we walked and remained there just long enough to photograph it.
The late, Doris Duke, had left a wonderful legacy in converting her magnificent estate into a Natural Wildlife Preserve for the public’s education and enjoyment. The paths throughout the estate offer such splendid scenery. One is forever exploring, always seeing something subtly beautiful. There are always pleasant surprises, from the general scenery to the world of birds and other wildlife, including tiny insects and flowers that are quite enjoyable to observe and study. The bucolic nature of the preserve is so relaxing—akin to meditating while experiencing the landscape. The beauty of visiting Duke Farms is that so many incredible views are there simply by absorbing the surroundings. Besides the wonderful diversity of nature’s jewels, Doris Duke has left a part of her legacy through her passion for art—well situated throughout the preserve is a collection of glorious sculptures and fabulous examples of supreme stonework and design in the bridges, old ruins of enormous barns and stables, and a variety of other structures. The old Hay Barn ruin with its fabulous sculpture garden is truly a favorite of ours, for each and every statue seems to possess a spirit and sense of life. The landscape and backdrop can alter the mood, accordingly, depending on the time of day and seasonal changes in particular. So, spotting new and fascinating wildlife (both animals and plants) and art never ceases to add to the experience.