Nature WalksFour Mile Point Preserve, Coxsackie, NY - 30 April 2009
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Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 April 2009
Table of Contents

Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 01
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 01) At the beginning of the preserve, at the end of the parking lot is a welcome sign and map of the trails.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 02
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 02) This is a closer look at the map of the preserve.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 03
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 03) When we began walking on the trail, we missed the first branch to the marsh overlook and continued on to the first river overlook.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 05
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 05) This is the view along the main path as we entered the park.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 06
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 06) This is the view up the path to the first river overlook.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 07
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 07) In this photo, we're looking Northeastward along the Hudson River.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 08
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 08) This is a more easterly view across the Hudson.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 09
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 09) This is another Northeasterly view of the Hudson River.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 04
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 04) After we left the first river overlook, we decided to backtrack and find the trail to the marsh.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 10
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 10) This time we found the path and walked down to the marsh.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 11
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 11) On the edge of the marsh we saw this patch of May apples.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 11a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 11a) This is a closer look at one of the budding May apples growing under the leafy umbrella.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 12
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 12) These May apple plants are growing in a semicircle around a garlic mustard.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 12a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 12a) This is a closer look at the garlic mustard with the surrounding May apples.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 13
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 13) In this photo, we are looking up under the May apple to get a better view of the May apple bud and leaf structure.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 13a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 13a) This is a closer look at the leaf-stem axil of the the May apple from which the two umbrella shaped leaves and the fruit grow.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 13b
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 13b) In this photo we have a closer look at the terminal palmate leaf structure, which can have between five and seven leaflets that form the umbrella shape that makes this wildflower so easy to identify.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 14
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 14) This is another look at the mayapple (or May apple) leaf axil and flower bud.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 14a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 14a) This is a close up look at a mayapple flower bud with the sepals just beginning to open.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 15
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 15) This is the wooden walkway that leads out into the marsh pond.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 16
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 16) This is a clump of wild irises that were growing along the side of the walkway.  From their size, we believe that they are yellow flag, but we'll have to wait until they bloom to make sure.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 17
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 17) This is a photo at the southwest part of the pond.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 17a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 17a) This is a closer look at a section of the pond.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 17b
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 17b) The shimmering reflection of the trees in the surface of the pond added to the beauty of the day.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 18
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 18) This is a view of the southeast section of the pond.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 19
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 19) This is a look at the northeasterly corner of the marsh pond.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 20
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 20) This is a clump of yellow flag iris that is growing on the northern edge of the marsh pond.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 20a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 20a) This is a close up look at the clump of yellow iris.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 21
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 21) These are some of the wild strawberries that were growing beside the trail near the north end of the pond.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 22
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 22) This is another look at the wild strawberry flowers and buds.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 22a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 22a) This is a close up look at the wild strawberry flowers and buds. When we take the time to really look at what God has created, there is always a blessing, even if it's just to warm our hearts with the beauty of His flowers.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 04a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 04a) We then left the marsh area and walked back along to trail to the second river overlook.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 23
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 23) Along the main trail, we stopped to take this photo of a patch of violets.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 23a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 23a) This is a closer look at some of the violets.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 24
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 24) These are more of the violets that were growing along the side of the main trail.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 25
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 25) When we got to the overlook, we took this southeasterly looking photo of the Hudson River.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 25a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 25a) In this southeasterly looking photo, we have a good view of the southern end of the island in the Hudson River.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 04b
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 04b) We then left the river overlook and walked down the path to the edge of the river, where along with the beauty, we also saw fish killers along the shore and in boats.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 26
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 26) In this photo, we are looking northward along the western shore of the Hudson River.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 26a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 26a) The old tree roots and trunks appear as sculptured forms along the shore.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 27
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 27) In this photo, we are looking southward along the western shore of the Hudson River.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 27a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 27a) This is another tree root that has been exposed by river erosion.  Across the river is a railroad bridge for the main freight and passenger service between New York City and Albany.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 28
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 28) This is another southward looking view along the Hudson River.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 29
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 29) Another weathered tree trunk attracted our attention.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 30
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 30) Looking across the Hudson River.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 31
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 31) In this and the next two photos, we photographed the wave action along the shore of the Hudson River.  In this photo the water is near it's furthest advance up the shore line.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 32
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 32) Notice the way the water pulls back from the shore as the next wave moves in.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 33
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 33) Then the next wave breaks against the shore, and the cycle repeats itself over and over again.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 34
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 34) On the way out of the part, we saw a patch of celandine growing on the edge of the parking lot.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 34a
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 34a) In this photo, we have a closer look at some of the celandine flowers and buds.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 35
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 35) In this photo, we have a good view of the celandine leaf structure.
Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 36
(Four Mile Point Preserve - 30 Apr 2009 - 36) This is the final look at the celandine before before we drove home.

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