Last month I found Long Branch Nature Center, but yesterday was the first time I truly explored the grounds. As you approach the compact nature center itself there's a trail that loops around this pond:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpM5dF3YcZJthp3tcONzO-Op12vu7ckWn2nqongqmQUdJo9Sx7ImgqshwE_QOnDR1baobcrfV3AQyOKbtoTNx21WO0ixUVu6e1b8DPUiMyVo2YELhYDY0Nz8BbbFizeXTmMkb5w/s580/20150512_153122.jpg)
The pond isn't especially large, but it's packed with life! Distinct orange fishies, tons of turtles and well camouflaged toads abound. See:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimprxOvikwrQt6J0bV_8MoMNgtL7nLHrDYcQ-tXwtfqR6GjeqUbPBYQoc-oFSWyPnupir4vSsiDqcWCdKz8CH0hWDPIazHkAQpQbJBwOu-YYiMgfZznjfmdYlJLIbLta_eWR9AOw/s580/20150512_153426.jpg)
And checkout this (harmless) water snake that was warming itself:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLSFTB4pl4QNce_CU9Qbu5ACNJAL2M3C3U18gITrM4Xpkp9mQnSiP8VuAgv3bIA0iygNyJXNOQWGabMwu5xfUIpeFSa1R63qWfQzwBm4oupkjWBq-fnWhyphenhyphenqcsZyjJgaR2laqS-g/s580/20150512_161637-EFFECTS.jpg)
As if that weren't enough, the pond has plenty of pretty flowers surrounding it:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YZB1aj2FbtDfvXQog38BSe3P_Px_7rZTpZx0qtHOA61DinXKCcbkKXrYqKbCe_srLnMub-CIcjtLKZCeS7YpJyW7zR0hVHkkVz3pwH0vo0N7v0WDWN-SuY9ZHwu1J0nxYzKlKQ/s580/20150512_153527.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-77yjSbmEQpNG74l-HHUJOdkYdG802uoTSEtCGzZDrOW931_0Ub6sXLbOXpTeuiwCOVVwnpzRttwkuNsqBL1Z_58tSK-5b7Rg6zkTypIAYj0DjjlBWGqpWdM3ehPoxI-cs2vUzQ/s580/20150512_153602.jpg)
Inside the nature center there are more small creatures to oggle (including hissing cockroaches and a skink!) and a play room for younger kids to kick back and enjoy.
For it's size, Long Branch Nature Center really is a wonder. And that pond, so cool!
Update: I also meant to include the photo below. It's of a bullfrog tadpole. I've seen itty bitty tad poles before, but compared to them, this guy is a giant. This photo was snapped inside the nature center.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNRBEzUURnNN60k9HxW3bw_PcP8BZph1mBDT7K6obp3JfWIARv_NUqgvA6VRoPpbFUWp3X4-B72gGtQ7MjndqOSytJULyifQtkQsu0Sq18iNSTHF26SGwWEhZAhxdOrjJTCDwFg/s580/20150512_154415.jpg)
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