Spanning more than 100 acres of forests and waterways, Newton Lake Park in Haddon Township, Camden County, New Jersey, is often visited by herons. The species includes 75 similar birds that are long-legged and long-necked freshwater coastal birds like this Great Blue Heron.
The lake features a plentiful supply of ducks. These two male mallards show their brightly colored breeding plumage.
A male mallard in bright breeding plumage accompanies a female whose duller coloring helps camouflage her during nesting.
A recent count of the Canada geese around two of the park’s three lakes totaled more than 300 birds.
Southern New Jersey’s non-migrating geese descended from birds relocated by wildlife agencies more than 60 years ago to repopulate areas for hunting. They never developed migratory behavior.
Spring at Newton Lake features an explosion of new goslings all around the park.
Goslings grow at an astounding rate, reaching full size and feather development in just 12 weeks.
Egrets are members of the heron family — all egrets are herons, but not all herons are egrets. This one has just caught a fish in Newton Lake, which is also home to large numbers of turtles.
This This female mallard duck has just plucked a fish from a small side lake off the main Newton Lake at Merrick and Bettlewood Avenues.
Caught in a brilliant streak of sunlight, a Great Blue Heron takes off from the Cuthbert Boulevard end of Newton Lake.
Although known for deep-diving fishing techniques, double-crested cormorants lack waterproof feathers and must spread their wings in the sun to dry.
A Great Egret settles down in a heavily wooded section of the park.
At times, small flocks of egrets can be seen around Newton Lake.
In the summer, large numbers of Seagulls gather to feast on Newton Lake’s fish. These are Ring-billed gulls, named for the black ring around the front of their yellow beaks.
The lake area has a great many of the most common birds, like this house sparrow, and they are all much more interesting when seen close up like this.
The red-winged blackbird, which is one of the most abundant land birds in North America, can be found all around the lake throughout much of the year.
Although they look boringly black from a distance, the common grackle is colorfully iridescent when seen up close.
There are many subspecies of Great Blue Heron, and their plumage changes during the year, particularly during breeding season when it becomes brighter and more colorful.
This is another subspecies of Great Blue Heron that frequents Newton Lake during the summer and fall months.
