[Journal entry for July 24, 2016; the Emerson Woods]. I the early afternoon, I walked in the Emerson Woods Preserve, off of Old Hook Road in Emerson New Jersey. I parked on Ridge Street and walked a figure eight loop through this hardwood woods that adjoins Oradell Reservoir. The dry forest floor by the entrance is almost devoid of vegetation, and has a pronounced browse line about four feet of the ground. A nearly fenced off stream has been protected from deer as is more lush. The more marshy forest floor that I encountered later in the hike has more abundant vegetation; I guess that it grows fast enough there to keep up with the grazing. Horsetail is abundant in these areas - field thin dark green stalks. Perhaps the deer find it uninviting. I stopped by a small wetland, full of low bushes and a bit of open water, getting my feet rather muddy in the process. I continued on one of the main trails past a steep gully. It is obviously anthropogenic, for a levy of dirt is heaped up beside it. It had no water. I followed it until it connected with Oradell Reservoir, a large impoundment along the Hackensack River (which here is more of a stream). I was disappointed that I could not access the lake shore, which is owned by the local water company and is fenced off. I sighted three Egrets on the shore, and later, a fawn standing among the horsetail, apparently unaccompanied by any doe. The trees of the preserve include some very large individuals of White Oak and Tulip. 1:00.