Friends of Brightwood Park
  • 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
  • Shop
  • JOIN
  • JPL blog
  • 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
  • Shop
  • JOIN
  • JPL blog






brightwood park discoveries



Snow Geese Photo Session

1/15/2025

 
 My wife and I used to live in Santa Monica, California, when we were graduate students and on our first jobs.  I once said to her, although owning a place in Beverly Hills was anything but a dream, we actually own more than the rich people and celebrities could ever have.  Just think about it, the Palisades Park (https://laist.com/news/california-incline-set-to-open-befo; and https://pixels.com/featured/palisades-park-bluffs-and-sm-pier-david-zanzinger.html) where the movie "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMOb8NCtjFs) was filmed, was our backyard, and we also had the Pacific Ocean as our swimming pool.  What else can anyone ask for?

After moving to Westfield, New Jersey in 1988, I often had dreams in which I was walking in Palisade Park and on Santa Monica Beach.  It was a shame that I did not discover Brightwood Park till the breakout of the Covid pandemic.  I fell in love with the park since the first time I went there.  Now I told my wife that to me, the park is like an illustration of what the Garden of Eden was like (before Adam and Eve were kicked out of it) and a preview of the New Heaven and New Earth to come.

Ever since then I have been going to the park at least once a day, even in rain and snow.  I enjoy  being a self-appointed park ranger.  Every visit has been an new adventure, and my excitement of discovery cannot be contained.

A few days ago I saw two light-colored geese amidst more than a hundred Canada geese.  I thought they were genetic mutants like albino animals.  After a Google search, I identified them to be snow geese.  I thought it was a coincidence.  To my surprise, this morning again I saw a snow geese couple.  These two did not appear as timid as the ones I saw last time.  From sleeping soundly to waking up and doing morning exercises, they posed and allowed me to take several photos.  Before I thought the male one was all white.  This time I found that the goose was covered with handsome mixed colors.  The female one was wearing a dark-colored coat, looking beautiful and noble.

Compared to Canada geese, snow geese cared much about the cleanliness of where they stay.  After climbing onto the ice, they constantly check to make sure they are not stepping on poop left by others.  

Comments are closed.

    Chuan-Chu Chou

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


    Archives

    April 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022

    ducks
    fox
    pond
    ​owl

    All

    RSS Feed

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. "


Contact Us

Email
Donate

BECOME A MEMBER!
We'd love to have you join us!