Wild_JJ New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 :_: Nature_NN1 Adventures_NN2 in_II the_AT Garden_NN1 State_NN1 My_APPGE dad_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 walked_VVD up_II the_AT mountain_NN1 trail_NN1 on_II a_AT1 chilly_JJ autumn_NNT1 morning_NNT1 ._. 
Laurel_NP1 and_CC wild_JJ cherry_NN1 and_CC rhododendron_NN1 cloaked_VVN the_AT narrow_JJ boulder_NN1 --_NN1 strewn_VVN path_NN1 ,_, limiting_VVG our_APPGE visibility_NN1 to_II just_RR a_AT1 few_DA2 yards_NN2 ahead_RL ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR the_AT first_MD hikers_NN2 out_RP that_DD1 morning_NNT1 --_NN1 but_CCB we_PPIS2 were_VBDR not_XX alone_JJ ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ apparent_JJ right_NN1 away_RL ._. 
Fresh_JJ claw_NN1 marks_NN2 scarred_VVN the_AT fallen_JJ tree_NN1 trunks_NN2 lining_VVG the_AT trail_NN1 ;_; the_AT parallel_JJ incisions_NN2 on_II the_AT logs_NN2 left_JJ wood_NN1 shavings_NN2 in_II the_AT dirt_NN1 ._. 
Patties_NN2 of_IO bear_NN1 scat_NN1 greeted_VVD us_PPIO2 every_AT1 few_DA2 minutes_NNT2 ,_, the_AT highbush_NN1 blueberries_NN2 still_RR apparent_JJ in_II the_AT droppings_NN2 ._. 
With_IW each_DD1 bend_NN1 in_II the_AT trail_NN1 ,_, our_APPGE anticipation_NN1 grew_VVD ._. 
Will_VM this_DD1 be_VBI the_AT day_NNT1 ?_? 
Will_VM we_PPIS2 finally_RR encounter_VVI a_AT1 block_NN1 bear_NN1 in_II the_AT wild_JJ ?_? 
Step_VV0 after_II step_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE eyes_NN2 focused_VVN on_II the_AT trail_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 sudden_JJ grip_NN1 on_II my_APPGE shoulder_NN1 brought_VVD me_PPIO1 to_II a_AT1 halt_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE dad_NN1 stared_VVD ahead_RL ,_, eyes_NN2 alight_VV0 ._. 
No_AT more_DAR than_CSN thirty_MC yards_NN2 before_II me_PPIO1 ,_, an_AT1 adult_JJ black_JJ bear_NN1 and_CC cub_NN1 foraged_VVD along_II the_AT edge_NN1 of_IO the_AT trail_NN1 ,_, noses_NN2 to_II the_AT ground_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR oblivious_JJ to_II us_PPIO2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 stared_VVD in_II amazement_NN1 as_CSA another_DD1 cub_NN1 came_VVD into_II view_NN1 from_II the_AT gently_RR wooded_JJ slope_NN1 arching_VVG up_II21 to_II22 the_AT right_JJ --_NN1 followed_VVN by_II the_AT massive_JJ father_NN1 bear_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD to_TO be_VBI pushing_VVG 500_MC pounds_NN2 ._. 
The_AT bear_NN1 family_NN1 foraged_VVD for_IF insects_NN2 and_CC grubs_NN2 ,_, drifting_VVG in_RP and_CC out_II21 of_II22 our_APPGE lines_NN2 of_IO vision_NN1 ._. 
The_AT wind_NN1 must_VM have_VHI shifted_VVN ,_, for_IF the_AT mother_NN1 bear_NN1 looked_VVD up_RP alertly_RR ._. 
With_IW no_AT signal_NN1 recognizable_JJ to_II us_PPIO2 ,_, the_AT cubs_NN2 understood_VVD ._. 
Mama_NN1 bear_NN1 and_CC both_DB2 cubs_NN2 trotted_VVD downslope_NN1 away_II21 from_II22 the_AT trail_NN1 ._. 
Hmm_UH ..._... where_CS ,_, exactly_RR ,_, is_VBZ Papa_NN1 bear_NN1 ?_? 
We_PPIS2 silently_RR went_VVD through_II mental_JJ checklists_NN2 of_IO what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI in_II31 case_II32 of_II33 a_AT1 bear_NN1 encounter_NN1 --_NN1 realizing_VVG at_II the_AT worst_JJT possible_JJ moment_NN1 ,_, as_CSA we_PPIS2 later_RRR shared_VVN ,_, just_RR how_RGQ much_DA1 of_IO our_APPGE assumed_JJ knowledge_NN1 was_VBDZ contradictory_JJ ._. 
Shout_VV0 loudly_RR or_CC remain_VV0 quiet_JJ ?_? 
Stand_VV0 aggressively_RR or_CC withdraw_VV0 meekly_RR ?_? 
Avoid_VV0 eye_NN1 contact_NN1 or_CC give_VV0 it_PPH1 a_AT1 friendly_JJ wink_NN1 ?_? 
The_AT answer_NN1 appeared_VVD in_II the_AT form_NN1 of_IO the_AT heaving_NN1 black_JJ shoulders_NN2 of_IO Papa_NN1 bear_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS lumbered_VVD across_II the_AT trail_NN1 toward_II his_APPGE family_NN1 ._. 
Unlike_II the_AT others_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II no_AT hurry_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ his_APPGE forest_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR only_RR visiting_VVG ._. 
During_II those_DD2 moments_NN2 of_IO watching_VVG the_AT family_NN1 of_IO bears_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 felt_VVD that_CST I_PPIS1 could_VM have_VHI been_VBN in_II any_DD great_JJ American_JJ wilderness_NN1 ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ in_II New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ._. 
Years_NNT2 have_VH0 passed_VVN since_CS that_DD1 black_JJ bear_NN1 encounter_NN1 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO my_APPGE first_MD wild_JJ New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 experiences_NN2 ._. 
So_RR my_APPGE dad_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 decide_VV0 to_TO return_VVI to_II the_AT bears_NN2 of_IO Wawayanda_NP1 State_NN1 Park_NN1 in_II Sussex_NP1 County_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 awake_VV0 before_II the_AT early_JJ May-dawn_NNT1 can_VM thaw_VVI the_AT frost_NN1 from_II the_AT grassy_JJ tufts_NN2 peeking_VVG out_RP from_II boulders_NN2 and_CC slabs_NN2 of_IO gneiss_NN1 bedrock_NN1 ._. 
The_AT sun_NN1 first_MD appears_VVZ as_CSA rays_NN2 glancing_VVG off_II the_AT cliffs_NN2 before_II us_PPIO2 on_II the_AT Appalachian_JJ Trail_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ stretches_VVZ 2,178_MC miles_NNU2 ,_, all_DB the_AT way_NN1 from_II Georgia_NP1 to_II Maine_NP1 ._. 
First_MD conceived_VVN by_II Benton_NP1 MacKaye_NP1 in_II 1921_MC ,_, the_AT "_" A.T_NP1 ._. "_" 
was_VBDZ completed_VVN sixteen_MC years_NNT2 later_RRR ._. 
Up_RG21 to_RG22 four_MC million_NNO people_NN hike_VV0 some_DD portion_NN1 of_IO the_AT trail_NN1 each_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, from_II casual_JJ walkers_NN2 enjoying_VVG a_AT1 brief_JJ jaunt_NN1 in_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT many_DA2 national_JJ and_CC state_VV0 parks_NN2 along_II the_AT path_NN1 ,_, to_II the_AT hardy_JJ souls_NN2 who_PNQS devote_VV0 months_NNT2 upon_II months_NNT2 to_II hiking_VVG its_APPGE entirety_NN1 ._. 
Wawayanda_NN1 s_ZZ1 twenty-mile_JJ stretch_NN1 of_IO the_AT Appalachian_JJ Trail_NN1 is_VBZ as_RG dramatic_JJ as_CSA it_PPH1 gets_VVZ ._. 
Towering_VVG above_II the_AT farmlands_NN2 and_CC the_AT grassy_JJ meadows_NN2 to_II our_APPGE north_ND1 ,_, Wawayanda_NP1 Mountain_NNL1 rises_VVZ so_RG abruptly_RR that_CST it_PPH1 seems_VVZ to_TO be_VBI an_AT1 eternal_JJ symbol_NN1 of_IO the_AT geologic_JJ cataclysms_NN2 that_CST shot_VVD it_PPH1 skyward_RL from_II deep_JJ in_II the_AT belly_NN1 of_IO the_AT earth_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 seems_VVZ to_TO say_VVI that_CST no_RGQV31 matter_RGQV32 how_RGQV33 much_RR New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 changes_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 will_VM not_XX ._. 
Wawayanda_NP1 Mountain_NNL1 will_VM always_RR stand_VVI above_II the_AT fray_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 ascend_VV0 ._. 
The_AT initial_JJ stroll_NN1 through_II a_AT1 valley_NN1 floor_NN1 pine_NN1 forest_NN1 gives_VVZ way_NN1 to_TO steep_VVI switchbacks_NN2 ._. 
The_AT trail_NN1 practically_RR doubles_VVZ back_RP on_II itself_PPX1 time_VV0 and_CC time_NNT1 again_RT ,_, rising_VVG slightly_RR higher_JJR along_II the_AT cliff_NN1 with_IW each_DD1 bend_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE feet_NN2 do_VD0 not_XX touch_VVI trail_NN1 bottom_NN1 for_IF steps_NN2 at_II a_AT1 time_NNT1 ,_, as_CSA we_PPIS2 scramble_VV0 from_II boulder_NN1 to_II boulder_NN1 ._. 
Crevices_NN2 appear_VV0 and_CC disappear_VV0 between_II massive_JJ slabs_NN2 of_IO rock_NN1 ,_, mini-caves_NN2 offering_VVG dark_JJ respite_NN1 for_IF wildlife_NN1 ._. 
Lichens_NN2 ,_, ferns_NN2 ,_, and_CC moss_VV0 provide_VV0 the_AT primordial_JJ cover_NN1 ._. 
If_CS there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 better_JJR place_NN1 than_CSN Wawayanda_NP1 Mountain_NNL1 to_TO launch_VVI a_AT1 year_NNT1 of_IO exploring_VVG New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 's_GE wildest_JJT places_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 am_VBM not_XX aware_JJ of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
Between_II my_APPGE deep_JJ breaths_NN2 on_II this_DD1 mountain_NN1 climb_NN1 ,_, the_AT terrain_NN1 and_CC vistas_NN2 bring_VV0 to_TO mind_VVI Yellowstone_NP1 National_JJ Park_NN1 ._. 
Out_RP there_RL ,_, rolling_VVG valleys_NN2 of_IO meadows_NN2 and_CC forest_NN1 fill_VV0 the_AT vast_JJ bowl_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 ancient_JJ volcano_NN1 ,_, alpine_JJ mountains_NN2 rising_VVG around_RP its_APPGE edges_NN2 ._. 
Here_RL in_II Wawayanda_NP1 ,_, the_AT mountain_NN1 overlook_VV0 offers_NN2 a_AT1 magnificent_JJ view_NN1 of_IO rolling_JJ farmlands_NN2 to_II the_AT north_ND1 ._. 
The_AT Highlands_NP2 mountain_NN1 chain_NN1 staggers_NN2 westward_RL ,_, each_DD1 triangular_JJ form_NN1 backed_VVN by_II another_DD1 ,_, then_RT another_DD1 ._. 
This_DD1 being_VBG New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ski_NN1 country_NN1 in_II winter_NNT1 ,_, white_JJ ski_NN1 trails_NN2 wind_VV0 down_RP the_AT closest_JJT peak_NN1 's_GE wooded_JJ face_NN1 like_II maple_NN1 syrup_NN1 pouring_VVG down_RP a_AT1 stack_NN1 of_IO flapjacks_NN2 ._. 
From_II the_AT mountaintop_NN1 ,_, the_AT Appalachian_JJ Trail_NN1 clambers_VVZ up_RP and_CC down_RP the_AT mountains_NN2 heading_VVG east_ND1 ._. 
In_II the_AT middle_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 rugged_JJ forest_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 thousand_NNO feet_NN2 above_II civilization_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 most_RGT unlikely_JJ discovery_NN1 awaits_VVZ :_: an_AT1 antique_JJ black_JJ mailbox_NN1 ,_, mounted_JJ decades_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, with_IW its_APPGE red_JJ flag_NN1 up_RP ._. 
That_DD1 last_MD entry_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 crucial_JJ one_PN1 ._. 
Six_MC thousand_NNO volunteers_NN2 a_AT1 year_NNT1 from_II thirty_MC different_JJ trail_NN1 clubs_NN2 maintain_VV0 the_AT length_NN1 of_IO the_AT Appalachian_JJ Trail_NN1 ._. 
In_II Wawayanda_NP1 's_GE portion_NN1 ,_, volunteers_NN2 from_II the_AT New_JJ York-New_JJ Jersey_NN1 Trail_NN1 Conference_NN1 come_VV0 out_RP every_AT1 spring_NN1 and_CC fall_VV0 to_TO clear_VVI fallen_JJ trees_NN2 after_II the_AT winter_NNT1 storms_NN2 and_CC cut_VV0 back_RP overgrown_JJ brush_NN1 at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO summer_NNT1 ._. 
Their_APPGE handiwork_NN1 built_VVD the_AT stone_NN1 steps_NN2 and_CC carved_VVD out_RP the_AT switchbacks_NN2 on_II some_DD of_IO the_AT trail_NN1 's_GE trickiest_JJT segments_NN2 ._. 
"_" Hikers_NN2 are_VBR often_RR surprised_JJ about_II how_RGQ wild_JJ and_CC remote_JJ the_AT New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 section_NN1 is_VBZ versus_II their_APPGE impression_NN1 of_IO the_AT state_NN1 --_NN1 especially_RR if_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR not_XX from_II New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ John_NP1 Fletcher_NP1 of_IO the_AT Appalachian_JJ Trail_NN1 Conservancy_NN1 ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 're_VBR often_RR pleasantly_RR surprised_JJ at_II just_RR how_RGQ much_DA1 wild_JJ land_NN1 there_EX is_VBZ --_JJ and_CC what_DDQ a_AT1 remote_JJ feeling_NN1 they_PPHS2 get_VVI there_RL ._. "_" 
Land_NN1 of_IO the_AT Black_JJ Bear_NN1 This_DD1 New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 segment_NN1 of_IO the_AT Appalachian_JJ Trail_NN1 is_VBZ special_JJ for_IF another_DD1 reason_NN1 ._. 
Just_RR as_CSA the_AT grizzly_JJ rules_NN2 Yellowstone_NP1 ,_, Wawayanda_NP1 is_VBZ the_AT land_NN1 of_IO the_AT black_JJ bear_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT decade_NNT1 since_CS we_PPIS2 spied_VVD that_CST bear_VV0 family_NN1 crossing_VVG a_AT1 Wawayanda_NN1 trail_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE dad_NN1 has_VHZ never_RR seen_VVN another_DD1 ._. 
There_EX would_VM be_VBI no_AT shame_NN1 in_II that_DD1 if_CS it_PPH1 were_VBDR ,_, say_VV0 ,_, the_AT 1960s_MC2 ._. 
"_" Fifty_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, you_PPY probably_RR would_VM have_VHI been_VBN hard-pressed_JJ to_TO encounter_VVI a_AT1 black_JJ bear_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Fletcher_NP1 ._. 
"_" Now_RT New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT most_RGT populous_JJ areas_NN2 for_IF black_JJ bear_NN1 on_II the_AT whole_JJ Appalachian_JJ Trail_NN1 ._. "_" 
Black_JJ bears_NN2 were_VBDR considered_VVN to_TO be_VBI vermin_NN1 in_II New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 and_CC across_II the_AT country_NN1 until_CS the_AT 1950s_MC2 ._. 
Deforestation_NP1 had_VHD drastically_RR reduced_VVN the_AT bear_NN1 population_NN1 long_RR before_II that_DD1 ,_, and_CC bear_VV0 expert_NN1 Kelcey_NP1 Burguess_NN1 of_IO the_AT state_NN1 Division_NN1 of_IO Fish_NN and_CC Wildlife_NN1 estimates_VVZ there_EX were_VBDR fewer_DAR than_CSN 100_MC black_JJ bears_NN2 remaining_VVG in_II New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 by_II 1970_MC ._. 
New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, did_VDD n't_XX renew_VVI bear_NN1 hunting_NN1 in_II the_AT 1970s_MC2 ._. 
Three_MC decades_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, 1,660_MC black_JJ bears_NN2 roamed_VVD S80_FO square_JJ miles_NNU2 in_II the_AT state-_JJ surveyed_JJ area_NN1 alone_JJ --_NN1 3_MC bears_NN2 per_II square_JJ mile_NNU1 ._. 
The_AT bear_NN1 population_NN1 exploded_VVD at_II exactly_RR the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 that_CST human_JJ sprawl_NN1 pushed_VVD ever_RR westward_RL and_CC northward_RL from_II the_AT urban_JJ centers_NN2 ._. 
New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 finally_RR renewed_VVD the_AT bear_NN1 hunt_NN1 in_II 2003_MC ,_, but_CCB daily_JJ headlines_NN2 and_CC emotional_JJ rallies_NN2 trans-formed_VVD it_PPH1 into_II a_AT1 political_JJ football_NN1 ._. 
Two_MC years_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, the_AT state_NN1 canceled_VVD the_AT hunt_NN1 ._. 
Long-time_JJ New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 Fish_NP1 and_CC Game_NN1 Council_NN1 member_NN1 and_CC Rutgers_NP1 wildlife_NN1 ecologist_NN1 Len_NP1 Wolgast_NP1 is_VBZ concerned_JJ ,_, like_II many_DA2 ,_, about_II where_RRQ the_AT bears_NN2 '_GE uncontrolled_JJ increase_NN1 will_VM lead_VVI ._. 
"_" There_EX 's_VBZ around_RG 700_MC cubs_NN2 born_VVN each_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, and_CC probably_RR around_RG 100_MC killed_VVN by_II cars_NN2 or_CC killed_VVN by_II State_NN1 Game_NN1 ._. 
There_EX have_VH0 been_VBN six_MC minor_JJ attacks_NN2 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Wolgast_NP1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 have_VH0 the_AT highest_JJT black_JJ bear_NN1 density_NN1 in_II the_AT country_NN1 ,_, in_II the_AT same_DA slate_NN1 as_CSA the_AT highest_JJT human_JJ density_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT numbers_NN2 are_VBR startling_VVG ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 's_VBZ hard_JJ to_TO deny_VVI the_AT potential_JJ trouble_NN1 that_CST might_VM arise_VVI from_II humans_NN2 and_CC black_JJ bears_NN2 sharing_VVG space_NN1 in_II northern_JJ New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ._. 
At_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ something_PN1 inherently_RR magical_JJ about_II seeing_VVG a_AT1 black_JJ bear_NN1 in_II the_AT wild_JJ ._. 
This_DD1 marvelous_JJ creature_NN1 evokes_VVZ so_RG many_DA2 different_JJ images_NN2 ,_, from_II the_AT fierce_JJ protector_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE young_JJ to_II the_AT popular_JJ icon_NN1 of_IO the_AT cuddly_RR teddy_NN1 bear_NN1 ._. 
Millipedes_NN2 and_CC Woodpeckers_NN2 On_II our_APPGE long-awaited_JJ return_NN1 to_II Wawayanda_NP1 ,_, my_APPGE dad_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 to_TO encounter_VVI New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 's_GE largest_JJT land_NN1 mammal_NN1 once_RR21 again_RR22 --_JJ from_II a_AT1 safe_JJ remove_NN1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ._. 
It_PPH1 has_VHZ been_VBN a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 for_IF us_PPIO2 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 for_IF the_AT bears_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 hike_VV0 through_II mountain_NN1 laurel_NN1 and_CC rhododendron_NN1 groves_NN2 ,_, along_II mountainside_NN1 trails_VVZ with_IW expansive_JJ views_NN2 over_II ravines_NN2 and_CC cliffside_NN1 caves_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 pass_VV0 swamps_NN2 dotted_VVN with_IW witch_NN1 hazel_NN1 and_CC black_JJ huckleberry_NN1 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 skunk_NN1 cabbage_NN1 and_CC berries_NN2 --_NN1 some_DD of_IO the_AT black_JJ bear_NN1 's_GE favorite_JJ foods_NN2 ._. 
The_AT timing_NN1 seems_VVZ right_JJ ,_, the_AT foot_NN1 traffic_NN1 is_VBZ sparse_JJ ,_, and_CC the_AT weather_NN1 is_VBZ comfortable_JJ ._. 
Everything_PN1 is_VBZ in_II place_NN1 but_CCB the_AT bears_NN2 ._. 
No_AT sightings_NN2 ,_, not_XX even_RR a_AT1 pile_NN1 of_IO scat_NN1 to_TO give_VVI us_PPIO2 hope_NN1 ._. 
Fortunately_RR ,_, Wawayanda_NP1 is_VBZ plenty_PN wild_RR even_RR without_IW a_AT1 black_JJ bear_NN1 in_II sight_NN1 ._. 
The_AT bounty_NN1 of_IO other_JJ wildlife_NN1 soon_RR overcomes_VVZ any_DD disappointment_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 turn_VV0 over_RP a_AT1 few_DA2 logs_NN2 and_CC leaves_VVZ to_TO uncover_VVI large_JJ millipedes_NN2 ,_, their_APPGE size_NN1 dwarfing_VVG the_AT red-backed_JJ salamanders_NN2 found_VVN in_II the_AT same_DA leaf_NN1 litter_NN1 ._. 
The_AT moist_JJ soil_NN1 of_IO the_AT mixed_JJ pine_NN1 and_CC oak_NN1 forest_NN1 is_VBZ ideal_JJ for_IF many_DA2 ground-dwelling_JJ species_NN like_II salamanders_NN2 ,_, shrews_NN2 ,_, and_CC moles_NN2 ._. 
Near_II a_AT1 waterfall_NN1 on_II another_DD1 trail_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 pileated_JJ woodpecker_NN1 crosses_VVZ a_AT1 clearing_NN1 not_XX far_RR ahead_II21 of_II22 me_PPIO1 ,_, my_APPGE first_MD sighting_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 gorgeous_JJ ,_, large_JJ bird_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ displays_VVZ a_AT1 thick_JJ tuft_NN1 of_IO red_JJ feathers_NN2 on_II its_APPGE crown_NN1 ._. 
In_II person_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ far_RG more_RGR majestic_JJ than_CSN its_APPGE cartoon_NN1 image_NN1 ,_, Woody_NP1 Woodpecker_NP1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 soon_RR cross_VV0 a_AT1 trail_NN1 of_IO stones_NN2 edging_VVG a_AT1 glacial_JJ lake_NN1 in_II a_AT1 remote_JJ corner_NN1 of_IO the_AT park_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 lake_NN1 sits_VVZ nearly_RR two_MC feet_NN2 above_II the_AT water_NN1 flowing_VVG past_II our_APPGE walking_NN1 stones_NN2 ,_, held_VVD back_RP by_II an_AT1 expertly_RR engineered_JJ dam_NN1 of_IO beaver-cut_JJ sticks_NN2 ._. 
On_II the_AT far_JJ shore_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 beaver_NN1 dam_NN1 rises_VVZ up_RP behind_II some_DD dabbling_JJ ducks_NN2 ,_, serving_VVG as_CSA headquarters_NN and_CC sentry_NN1 post_NN1 for_IF the_AT entire_JJ operation_NN1 of_IO hard-working_JJ beavers_NN2 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR more_RGR glacial_JJ lakes_NN2 here_RL in_II the_AT Highlands_NN2 than_CSN anywhere_RL else_RR on_II the_AT eastern_JJ seaboard_NN1 ._. 
Glacial_JJ lakes_NN2 like_II this_DD1 one_PN1 ,_, formed_VVN by_II the_AT ice_NN1 left_VVD behind_RL as_II a_AT1 glacier_NN1 retreated_VVD northward_RL ,_, offer_VV0 ideal_JJ habitat_NN1 for_IF migrating_VVG waterfowl_NN1 ,_, river_NN1 otter_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 wide_JJ variety_NN1 of_IO amphibians_NN2 and_CC reptiles_NN2 ._. 
As_II21 for_II22 the_AT bears_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 will_VM have_VHI to_TO wait_VVI ._. 
If_CS we_PPIS2 can_VM not_XX find_VVI them_PPHO2 again_RT in_II Wawayanda_NP1 ,_, surely_RR that_DD1 perfect_JJ encounter_NN1 awaits_VVZ elsewhere_RL in_II New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ._. 
On_II warm_JJ June_NPM1 night_NNT1 in_II 2006_MC ,_, Shaun_NP1 Fitzgerald_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 Vernon_NP1 Township_NN1 police_NN2 officer_NN1 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE wife_NN1 awoke_VVD to_II unearthly_JJ wails_NN2 from_II their_APPGE Glenwood_NP1 backyard_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 opened_VVD the_AT door_NN1 to_TO find_VVI a_AT1 mountain_NN1 lion_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE cub_NN1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 went_VVD outside_RL to_TO see_VVI what_DDQ was_VBDZ making_VVG loud_RR ,_, piercing_VVG shrieks_NN2 in_II the_AT backyard_NN1 ,_, "_" Christine_NP1 Fitzgerald_NP1 told_VVD ABC_NP1 News_NN1 ._. 
"_" Fifteen_MC feet_NN2 away_II21 from_II22 us_PPIO2 ,_, we_PPIS2 saw_VVD a_AT1 large_JJ blond_JJ female_JJ mountain_NN1 lion_NN1 along_II21 with_II22 a_AT1 cub_NN1 that_CST had_VHD just_RR killed_VVN one_MC1 mother_NN1 cat_NN1 and_CC two_MC stray_JJ cats_NN2 ._. "_" 
The_AT encounter_NN1 held_VVD one_PN1 especially_RR puzzling_JJ detail_NN1 ._. 
Cougars_NP1 --_NN1 also_RR called_VVN mountain_NN1 lions_NN2 ,_, pumas_NN2 ,_, panthers_NN2 ,_, and_CC catamounts_VVZ --_NN1 were_VBDR extirpated_VVN from_II New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 in_II the_AT 1800s_MC2 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, cougars_NN2 were_VBDR wiped_VVN out_II21 of_II22 the_AT entire_JJ United_NP1 States_NP1 east_ND1 of_IO the_AT Mississippi_NP1 River_NNL1 ._. 
Concerned_JJ about_II the_AT risks_NN2 to_II livestock_NN from_II this_DD1 powerful_JJ predator_NN1 ,_, New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 and_CC other_JJ states_NN2 put_VV0 a_AT1 bounty_NN1 on_II cougars_NN2 ._. 
Overhunting_VVG and_CC deforestation_NN1 likely_JJ eliminated_JJ cougars_NN2 from_II the_AT Northeast_ND1 by_II 1900_MC ._. 
Nonetheless_RR ,_, sporadic_JJ reports_NN2 of_IO cougar_NN1 sightings_NN2 in_II New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 persisted_VVD throughout_II the_AT early_JJ 2000s_MC2 ,_, as_CSA researcher_NN1 Chris_NP1 Spatz_NP1 from_II the_AT Eastern_JJ Cougar_NN1 Foundation_NN1 knew_VVD all_DB too_RG well_RR ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 follows_VVZ up_RP on_II most_DAT reports_NN2 ,_, the_AT perpetrator_NN1 nearly_RR always_RR is_VBZ a_AT1 misidentified_JJ bobcat_NN1 or_CC housecat_NN1 ._. 
Photographs_NN2 that_CST appear_VV0 credible_JJ have_VH0 no_AT reference_NN1 to_TO show_VVI scale_NN1 or_CC turn_VV0 out_RP to_TO have_VHI been_VBN taken_VVN in_II another_DD1 state_NN1 entirely_RR ._. 
As_II a_AT1 boy_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 spent_VVD endless_JJ hours_NNT2 swimming_VVG in_II the_AT ocean_NN1 ,_, exploring_VVG the_AT suburban_JJ woods_NN2 ,_, and_CC hiking_VVG with_IW my_APPGE dad_NN1 ,_, Bill_NP1 Wheeler_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS cherished_VVD time_NNT1 outdoors_RL away_II21 from_II22 the_AT office_NN1 ._. 
Fortunately_RR ,_, the_AT outdoorsman_NN1 in_II him_PPHO1 rubbed_VVD off_RP plenty_PN on_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
Strangely_RR enough_RR ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ living_VVG and_CC working_VVG in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 that_CST really_RR shifted_VVD my_APPGE passions_NN2 back_RP to_II nature_NN1 ._. 
