As we took in the views, I told jokes, answered photography questions, gave tips about selective focus, depth of field and how to achieve the best compositions. It reads as much more complex than if you were walking though a beautiful nature preserve in the company of others sharing an awe for what we were seeing.
Caleb Smith Park Preserve in Smithtown, NY is one of four state nature preserves on Long Island. Here is Willow Pond within the park’s 543 acres, where we composed most of our pictures. Children, 15 and under, are invited to fish on Willow Pond from April 1st to October 31st. Fly fishing on the nearby Nissequogue River is available from April 1st to October 15th (NYS freshwater fishing license and reservations required).
According to parks.ny.gov, the Nature Museum showcases natural history exhibits including a Great Blue Heron, Red Fox, Flying Squirrel and a River Otter. Along the hiking trails you might find rare plants like Pink Lady Slipper, Trailing Arbutus, and Indian Pipe. Bird watchers will delight in the variety of feathered friends found in the preserve, such as Prothonotary Warblers, Virginia Rails and Osprey to name a few.
During winter months the snowy landscape is crisscrossed not only with animal tracks but also with cross country ski and snowshoe tracks.
Stay tuned for the next Photo Hike. Learn more at the Middle Country Public Library at https://www.mcplibrary.org/ and the Caleb Smith Park Preserve at https://parks.ny.gov/parks/124/details.aspx
MIRANDA GATEWOOD 