The Pathways boat trip through the inland waters around Cape May started out on an ominous note as we traveled to our destination from Medford Leas. Overcast skies and intermittent rain occurred most of the way. Fortunately when we reached Cape May the overcast skies remained but the rain faded to a light drizzle at most. Our boat, the Osprey, was fully enclosed with sliding windows easily opened for better viewing. There was also open deck space at the bow for observation.

Ospreys were ubiquitous making their nests on the numerous platforms of the channel markers as well as sitting in trees and on the marsh shores. A large nesting colony of Laughing Gulls, wading birds like Great Egret and Snowy Egret were also quite abundant. Less so but more interesting were some great looks at a few Yellow-crowned Night Herons, one Black-crowned Night Heron and a Green Heron in flight.