Nature in New Jersey and Maryland
We visited my eldest son this past weekend at University of Maryland. Because most of the events were at the Hillel, we walked back and forth numerous times between the Hillel and the hotel. On the way to the Hillel we saw this garden, and on Friday afternoon I had my camera with me so I took this photo. I was impressed by the “natural” looking sculpture that was part of the garden, and I love seeing well-cared for perennials. You can learn more about this Peace and Friendship garden. The sculpture is by Chinese artist Han Meilin and named The Peace Tree.
Here is the pond in Holmdel Park in New Jersey (photographed two weeks ago). Nearby is a lovely arboretum (I was too tired to take my big camera, but there was some great hawthorn trees with berries and some interesting evergreens). I photographed the pond with my Samsung Galaxy 4. There was a London plane tree on the other side of the pond – its “fruit” or nuts look like tennis balls.
Here’s a pig at Longstreet Farm (part of Holmdel Park in New Jersey). We also saw pigs at University of Maryland – there is a little farm on the campus for those studying animal science and also horses for the equestrian club. Both sets of pigs seemed to like to eat dirt. Explain that one to me. My daughter named the Longstreet Farm pig “Piggles.”
Laura Hegfield says
Beautiful series Leora… that little pig is so cute!!!
Please consider yourself officially invited to participate this year's 5th Annual Gratitude (word) Quilt. Instructions (it is very simple) and a link that explains the origin of the word quilt can be found at the top of my blog. In past years there have been participants from every continent except Antarctica. If I’ve already invited you, I apologize... I am trying to reach as many people as possible to make this the most expansive word quilt ever, and sometimes forget whom I’ve already left this message for in a comment. My intention is most certainly NOT to spam you. I hope you'll join us it is really amazing when all the words unfurl on November 27th, Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
Leora says
Maybe. I'm not big on forced gratitude. I think it bring back painful childhood memories. I'm grateful I don't have to say Thank you for this that and the other thing.
Karen says
Beautiful views and that pig is priceless!
Leora says
I bet someone could set a price for the pig ... ;-)
Carver says
Beautiful autumn shots and the pig is so cute.
Leora says
The pig seems to have stolen the post's attention! I added him/her as an afterthought.
Eileen says
The Peace and Friendship garden is lovely! And I love the cute pig and name. Great shots, Leora! Have a happy week ahead!
Leora says
I did like the garden. I didn't get a lot of time to explore it, however. My family has different ideas of what they want to do with their time.
Ramblingwoods says
Perfect name for a pig and I think he is very cute...what a pretty place and I do really like the sculpture. I agree with you about how well it fits in.... Always nice to see you in Nature Notes... Michelle
Leora says
Wish I actually spent more time in nature. Noticed lots of pretty foliage while sitting in the car driving back to New Jersey.
Vicki says
Beautiful fall scenes and a very cute pig! I have heard that elephants eat dirt for the salt content. Maybe the pigs are doing something similar?
Leora says
Vicki, hm, that is interesting idea, about the salt.
Lorri says
I really love the hints of autumn tones within the trees. The views are serene and lovely.
Maybe minerals in the soil are good for the pigs. Cute shot!
Leora says
Must be something, because two weeks in a row, in two different states, we witnessed the pigs nosing through the dirt.
Mrs. S. says
Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures. One of the many wonderful things about social media is that it lets me get my fall foliage fix [try saying that five times fast... :-) ] - even here in Israel!
I hope you had a nice weekend with your son.
Leora says
I did notice that Batya found a tree near her with yellow leaves. But then again, she lives in Shiloh, which is cooler than where you are!
Jeri says
Once again, my suspicions are confirmed... fall foliage on the east coast beats the pants off what we see out west. Although I did take a drive to Sun Valley at the end of October and the brilliant yellow of the quaking aspens really blew me away. I'd never been there at that time of year before. It's always nice to discover something new about a familiar place.
Leora says
And these photos are quite tame. Much prettier foliage elsewhere - my own block was quite brilliant one week ago (but I was buried in work instead of walking around with camera).
Hannah says
Great pictures Leora! the RSS feed to your blog disappeared from my computer, so I had no idea you had posted so much recently.
Leora says
Nice to have you commenting, and I hope you resubscribed.