Replica Statue of Liberty, Butler, NJ

Many people in and around the area of Butler, NJ are familiar with Bartholdi Avenue but unless you reside in the area, a quick glance at the replica Statue of Liberty in downtown Butler, NJ can sometimes be dismissed as a cheap knock off of the original. Its definitely not as large of course. The statue itself was used as decoration on Liberty Island for purposes of rededicating the statue. Of course the town of Butler itself is named for Richard Butler who had a genuine friendship with Bartholdi (Bartholdi Avenue in Butler is named after him). In no small part the statue was funded by the countless efforts of school children who donated coins to the restoration. I am led to believe that the statue was given as a token of appreciation because the the Richard Butler Middle School not only had the historical connection between Butler/Bartholdi but also that particular school apparently raised enough money to help restore the Statue of Liberty which warranted the subsequent donation of one of the decorative statues to Butler, NJ.

Great Blue Heron, Pequannock River, Bloomingdale, NJ

Great Blue Heron wading in Pequannock River

Taking this picture from the Hamburg Turnpike while in Riverdale, NJ of our feathered friend, the Great Blue Heron, who is actually standing on the Bloomingdale, NJ side of the river at the base of Federal Hill.

Black Bear in a tree, Jefferson, NJ

These pictures show a relatively ubiquitous sight in NJ, the black bear. Normally harmless, they are more likely than not just a threat to your garbage can. In this instance, the black bear was actually in a tree following its younger cub. The mother bear was really much too large for the tree it was in and could only follow her cub so far.

View from I-287 Bridge over Wanaque River/Lake Inez

Changing a tire on I-287 gave me a brief opportunity to stick my camera lens up to the narrow gauge suicide fencing on the I-287 bridge crossing the Wanaque River and snapping this picture of the scenic overlook looking into the rolling hills of North Jersey/Highlands

For accurate location: 41.027018, -74.285809, for some reason the location function and when I click on it google maps does not bring me even close to the correct location.