[Journal Entry for June 15, 2011; Tallman Mountain State Park] I had been wanting to take some photos of the park when the leaves are fully leafed out, already having several collections taken in winter and spring. The challenge is that the sky tends to be rather too hazy in summer. Today, though, conditions are pretty good. Dallas dropped me off at the Park Entrace, on Rockland Road, at about eight in the morning.

Stop 1, the Soccer Field. The field has a marvelous set of stone bleachers that date (or so I suppose) from the 1930's when the Civilian Conservation Corps was beautifying the park system.

Stop 2, the North Overlook. The northern end of the park is a hilltop, set above the valley of the Spar Kill (creek) that commands wonderful views to the north and east. To the north, I can see the village of Piermont, with sailboats moored along the west shore of the Hudson River, the Tappan Zee Bridge, crossing the Hudson at Nyack, and beyond it, the cliffs of Hook Mountain. To the east, I can see the Piermont Pier, an earthwork that extends out into the Hudson about a mile, and on it south side, Piermont Marsh, cut by the meandering Spar Kill.

Stop 3, the road down to the pool. This road overlooks Piermont Marsh. I particularly like one spot where I can see a meandering tidal channel. I follow the bicycle path along the edge of the marsh into Piermont.

Stop 4, Paradise Avenue in Piermont NY. This road follows the north bank of the Spar Kill and has nice views of Piermont marsh and the hills of Tallman Park, beyond.

Stop 5, the field by the Pool. The grass is yellowing already, even though its only mid-June. This open area allows me to appreciate the large size of the trees in the park. Some are cottonwoods, planted along the edge of the marsh generations ago.

Stop 6, the South Overlook. I walked a combination of hiking trails and the bicycle path to reach the park's other overlook. It commands a very nice view of Piermont marsh, the Hudson River and its eastern shore. The Phragmites grass is a mix of last year's tan stems and tassles and this year's green leaves. This southern part of the marsh is cut by several tidal channels. They are straighter than the ones at the north end. Nearby the overlook is a small seasonal pond. I am a bit suprised that it still contains water.

Stop 7, the pond. The park has many seasonal ponds, created by a levy system that dates back to a planned, but never built, tank farm. These earthworks create many shallow ponds, but most are seasonal. The largest pond, however, is more-or-less permanent, and supports a variety of wildlife, including frogs and ducks. I stand at its muddy bank, taking photos of some bushes, growing up out of the water, that are nicely illuminated by the sun. At that moment my cell phone rings; a colleague from another university is calling. As I began to talk with him, my gaze shifted downward, and I am startled to see that I am standing next to a snake, which is coiled up a few feet from where I am standing. At that momemt, my shoes lost their grip and my feet slid out from under me, so that I fall onto the ground with my feet in the pond, and with me sitting next to the snake. I recognized it as a Northern Water Snake - a harmless variety. I snap a few photos of it, get back on my feet, and head off, wondering what the snake thinks of all this ...

I walked the Long Path hiking trail back to the bicycle path, and exit the park via the south parking lot. After buying a snack at the nearby deli, I walked up to Lamont.

About three hours.

In the evening, Dallas and I kayaked from Piermont NY to Palisades NY, which gave me an opportunity to take a few photos from the river.