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Wildlife (4/4)
Kayaking is an outdoor activity. Yes, kids, you’ll have to put down your game controllers and go outside. Out there is what us older folks call nature. Nature can actually be quite beautiful and interesting, and you don’t have to worry about your screen resolution and refresh rate – both are infinity. So here is a short list of flora and fauna ( plants and animals ) that you might see in freshwater environments:
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Whirligig Beetle
Whirligig Beetles are typically found in groups making crazy circles at the surface, although they are also capable of diving and flying. These are ‘true beetles’, not bugs. They are harmless scavengers.
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Water Lilies are found in all still and slow-flowing freshwaters. One thing that I have noticed about them is that on any lake or pond, you will always find white ones, and usually also pink or yellow ones, but never both. The flowers begin in summer and last well into fall.
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Common Watersnake
This is one of the most common snakes in NJ, inhabiting freshwater streams, ponds, lakes, swamps, marshes, and bogs throughout the state. This snake will likely retreat from you, but if you have to push your luck, this bad-tempered critter can give you a nasty non-venomous bite, and is likely to hold on for quite a while. All snakes are good swimmers, but this one actually likes the water.
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