Wildlife (4/4) ~ New Jersey Kayaking

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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Turtles

Eastern Painted Turtle

You'll find these medium-sized turtles in any body of water. You will often find them sunning themselves on any convenient perch, watching you. Get too close, and they drop into the water. Rarely, you may encounter a released pet that is tame.

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Turtles, Frogs & Snakes

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Water Bugs

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

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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Wildlife

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Lake Lefferts - Matawan

Lake Lefferts
( 40.41181, -74.24096 )

Aeromarine Industrial Park ( 40.44306, -74.18967 )
Lake Lefferts - Matawan ( 40.41563, -74.23362 )
Raritan Bay - Cliffwood (E) ( 40.45089, -74.22033 )
Raritan Bay - Cliffwood (W) ( 40.45216, -74.22269 )
Raritan Bay - Cliffwood (Whale Creek) ( 40.45090, -74.22274 )
Raritan Bay - Keyport (E) ( 40.44095, -74.19534 )
Raritan Bay - Keyport (W) ( 40.43921, -74.20160 )
Raritan Bay - Laurence Harbor (E) ( 40.45877, -74.24622 )
Raritan Bay - Laurence Harbor (W) ( 40.46223, -74.25482 )
Superfund Site ( 40.45776, -74.24129 )
Wagner's Marina - Matawan Creek ( 40.43540, -74.21416 )

Lake Lefferts is a man-made lake, the result of the construction in 1928 of Lake Lefferts Dam, which captures and stores the flow of Matawan Creek. This is the nicest spot in northern Monmouth County. The lake is in three parts:

The lower part that contains the dam and the launch area and extends up to the Route 34 bridge. This part is fairly deep and free of obstructions.
The upper part from Route 34 to Route 516. This part is much shallower and weedy, especially at the far end.
An unusable section beyond Route 516. This part is pretty much just mud. It may look like water, but trust me - don't go there.

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