Duck bathing

Just a mallard flappin’ around in Echo Lake.

Eleven years

The closer you are to Manhattan, the more people you can find who were directly affected by September 11, 2001.

At the time, I was living about two hours south of Manhattan. I personally didn’t know anyone who was killed, but— six degrees of separation— it seemed like everybody knew somebody who’d lost a spouse, a brother, a mother, a son.

Near New Providence, every day the commuter trains are crammed with what I call “Wall-Street-types.” Eleven years ago… I wonder what it would’ve been like. I’m glad I don’t know firsthand.

Today, there is a memorial ceremony being held at Echo Lake Park’s September 11 memorial, where these photos were taken. The memorial’s two rusty monuments were created from twisted steel girders from the World Trade Center itself.

Great blue heron!

I saw a great blue heron this weekend! I think it’s a juvenile. How cool is that!

Sunset 4

Everyone loves a generic sunset over a generic lake!

(This is actually Echo Lake, which I suppose is a very specific lake.)

Duck X-ing

Ducks! At Echo Lake in Mountainside. This is the east end of the lake.

I specify this because Echo Lake is a very long, narrow lake, and it matters.