Catch-up Post #3: NJ part 2

July 6: After a whirlwind day on Thursday, we decided to go a little more low-key on our last day in Cape May. I got up a little early and headed out to do a little avian reconnaissance. T slept in a bit, then headed down to the beach. It was a nice hot day -- better for beaching than birding. I went back to the point and saw some good birds: black skimmer, osprey, least tern and common tern, among others.

Next I headed 10 minutes up the coast to Stone Harbor. I went there to go to the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, a few blocks of uninterrupted habitat in the middle of the town. It has always been a great place to view several members of the Heron/Egret family. I walked about half way around the perimeter of the sanctuary (there are no paths through it, only views from outside), and finally located a small group of herons. I saw one snowy egret and four black-crowned night-herons. As I was checking them out, a passer-by asked me what I was looking at. She seemed surprised when I told her. She then told me that all of the resident herons had been either killed or chased away by feral cats. She said it had been several years since they've had any herons in the sanctuary. People, seriously, clip your cats.

While I was birding, T got some time in on the beach. We met up for some lunch, then headed back out to the beach together. We threw a ball around for a while. (I have to keep my body in softball condition.) T escaped the ordeal without a black eye or broken nose.

Finally, on the third day at the shore, I went into the water past my ankles. It felt great! There was a huge school of common dolphins swimming just off shore. There were a few people out far enough that they were just a few feet away from the school. I didn't quite go that far out -- just past the breakers. I was half day dreaming that one would come up to me, sea world style, but it didn't happen. I tried to get a picture of T on the beach with the dolphins jumping in the background, but numerous attempts proved futile (damn digital camera). You'll have to settle for this picture of T -- sans dolphins -- looking very makey-outy in her bikini and jean shorts.

Here's some proof that I was there, too.

We topped off another fine day in Jersey with a late dinner at the restaurant next door.

Next time on ECT-Sum'07, it's the dreaded Eberz Family Reunion. Dum, Dum, Dummmmm.