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  • Home
  • PRESERVE & RESTORE
    • Ecology >
      • RutgersSiteVisit
      • Ponds
      • Reforestation
    • Invasive Species
    • NativePlants
    • Trails Maintenance
    • Clean Ups
    • ScoutProjects
    • noelTaylor
  • ENJOY
    • Calendar
    • Photos
    • GreenHerons
    • Birding
    • Trail Maps
    • coyotes
  • B W Kids
    • Nature Detectives - the latest news
  • History
    • neighborhood
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Chuan-Chu Chou Blog
    • Perspectives on the Park
    • MemberInfo >
      • archive
    • presidentReport-Jan-21
    • Volunteer Spotlight
    • newsletters
    • PastEvents >
      • Halloween-24
      • brightwoodDay-24
      • Halloween-23
      • halloween-22
      • PleinAirPainting
      • brightwoodDay-23
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  • JPL blog






brightwood park discoveries



Afternoon delight in flowers and young couples in love.

4/28/2024

 
 I first want to thank Eugene Tabachnik for inviting me to take a late afternoon walk with him in Brightwood Park.  In addition to enjoying the beautiful flowers, a daring squirrel, and breath-taking reflections of trees and a goose, I was able to take photos of wood ducks close up as they snacked along the edge of the pond.  I watched as the Mrs. seemed to be reminding the Mr. to keep his table manners and not to eat like chickens or woodpeckers.  

I also saw a ear-muff-shaped mushroom with the back covered with moss.  It was located on a log near Prospect Street entrance. I had so much fun that I had to be reminded by my wife's call to go home for dinner.

Love Story

4/28/2024

 
  One morning this week at a nearby amphitheater, I saw an audience taking their seats, including wood ducks and a cat.  Out of curiosity I joined the crowd and watched what was happening on the stage.  A female northern flicker appeared first (females don't have a moustache as the males do).  She looked very pretty but lonely.  

Suddenly a male northern flicker landed from the sky and leaned on the female.  The intimacy lasted for a few seconds.  The female then shied away and disappeared from the stage.  The male stayed and was high-spirited, as if he was quoting from the signature greeting of former NYC Mayor Ed Koch: "How'm I doing?".

At the conclusion of the show, I could not help but being reminded of my childhood fairy tale love story endings: "And they lived happily ever after."

Brightwood Park:  Treasure Mine for Nature Lovers

4/18/2024

 
 ​Watching new leaves coming out always makes me feel young again.  The trees, the shrubs, and the mosses here are so pretty and adorable.  I have a particular affection towards the haircap moss and their fruit bodies, perhaps because I did a project on the plant in high school biology class.

Mystery Fungi or Lichen?

4/18/2024

 
  
Mycologists would agree with me that Brightwood Park is a gold mine to see a variety of common species and to discover rare species.  Today in the meadow area near the pond, I spotted a flora of red-hair fungus mixed with moss at the root of a tree.  I suspect these could also be lichens which is a symbiotic form of fungi and algae.  I tried some online tools and was unable to determine the identity.

Springtime Bird Encounters

4/18/2024

 
Brightwood Park is a place of wonders.  There is always something new to encounter or discover.  Red-wing blackbirds are usually timid and are sensitive to human presence.  This morning not only did I encounter one who allowed me to get close and take photo shots, but also the fellow performed a beautiful song for my entertainment..  

After circling the pond, two female mergansers caught me in surprise and landed right in front of me.  They usually appear in winter time.  I hope these two attract some male ones to come here.

Northern flickers are the dominating woodpeckers in the park these days.  Today I saw one looking more athletic than average.

Flavor of Spring

4/18/2024

 
  This Spring there has been plenty of rainfall.  However, the temperature has been fluctuating.  Trees and other plants have appeared  confused.  The timing and the  pattern of blooming as well as leaf-sprouting have not been as progressive and predictable as in the past.  Each morning that I have walked in the park, I have had  some pleasant surprises.  A blue jay seemed to agree and gave me a funny face this morning. 

    Chuan-Chu Chou

    I am a frequent visitor of Brightwood Park and enjoy sharing my discoveries.


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Location

Brightwood Park is on the North end of Prospect Street.  Go past Franklin School and look for the entrance on the left.

What Our Members Are Saying

"I love the work you are doing at Brightwood.  Your efforts have shone a light on the essential elements of the park that we all cherish: its natural beauty and tranquility."

"I have a deep fondness for Brightwood park and would like to see it restored, remain natural and continue to be a site of passive recreation."

"I loved growing up in Brightwood Park !"


"I found Brightwood a few years ago and it's a great place to find wildlife, fish, and enjoy nature. Nice and quiet; good place to un wind and relax. Love it!!!"

​"As a resident for almost thirty years in the Brightwood area of Westfield, I am thrilled to see what is happening to improve and preserve Brightwood park for today and future generations. "


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