The Bronx River Reservation through Photos: A Local Conservation Photography Journey

Last month, I quietly introduced a long-term project I have been kicking around in my head for a while now. The subject is the Westchester County Bronx River Reservation. With this project, I aim to highlight the importance of preserving and caring for this river not only for the species that inhabit it but for the mental and physical well-being of the communities that enjoy them.

Why the Bronx River Reservation?

The Bronx River Reservation is an historic 807-acre park created as a complement to the Bronx River Parkway, which opened in 1925. It was the first official Westchester County park, the first linear park in not only Westchester but in the entire country, and the Bronx River Parkway itself holds the distinction of being the first parkway in the nation! (Source: https://parks.westchestergov.com/bronx-river-reservation)

Before the Europeans rolled in, indigenous tribes in the area, such as the Lenape people, had been living along the river for generations. The Bronx River was central to their daily life, providing resources for fishing, transportation, hunting, and gathering. (Source: https://parks.westchestergov.com/bronx-river-reservation)

Weaving it's way through various landscapes, including dense forests, wetlands, and urbanized areas, each with its own story to tell, the Bronx River Reservation is as beautiful as it is historical. Ponds, waterfalls, wooden footbridges, and lush greenery— home to hundreds of species of native trees, plants, and wildlife — provide a captivating backdrop for this project

A Glimpse of February's Photographs

The photographs I’m sharing this month feature the raw, silent beauty of the Bronx River during winter. Winter may have quieted the landscape, but even with the ice and cold, life persists. I've observed many wintering ducks and geese swimming at the Tuckahoe Duck Pond and at Parkway Oval. One sighting included a dead goose, which was rather unsettling because of the bird flu situation right now. Although I reported it, I am unsure as to whatever came of it. Either way, I am looking forward to what spring has in store fore us. The barren landscape with its mess of tangled branches will soon be full of color.

Bronx River at Parkway Oval, Tuckahoe, NY

Bronx River trail in Tuckahoe, NY

A bench overlooking the Bronx River in Tuckahoe, NY

A footbridge at theTuckahoe Duck Pond, part of the Bronx River Reservation

A mallard duck walking on ice and 2 more floating in the water

A view of a second footbridge at Tuckahoe Duck Pond

A dead goose in the water at Parkway Oval in Tuckahoe. Could it be from the bird flu?

A dead goose in the water at Parkway Oval in Tuckahoe. Could it be from the bird flu?

Looking Ahead: Join the Journey

This project is at it's first phase of life. Over the coming months, I’ll continue to explore the Bronx River Reservation and share my photographic journey with you. The project will evolve as the seasons change, and I am excited to see first hand how the environment transforms and adapts over time.

Follow the Project: Keep up with this project by following my blog and social media, where I'll be sharing new photographs, conservation insights, and updates on the Bronx River Reservation.

Thanks for following along!

xoxoxo