May 20th.Male American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis).

 

A flock of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) moved through the marsh borders this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 21st. Lady's-Slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) were wet with last night's rain.

 

 

 

 

 

The flock of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) was several hundred yards northwest of where I saw them yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) soaking in the sun.

 

Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodius) have returned to the marsh after breeding in communal roosts elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 23rd. The heron again.

 

May 24th. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have a nest in an old woodpecker hole.

 

 

 

 

 

Removing a Carpenter Ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) that had wandered into the nest.

 

Although swallows eat insects, ants aren't fit food, probably because of the formic acid they secrete in defense.

 

With the ant discarded, it was back to brooding eggs.

 

 

 

Just room for one adult in the cavity.

 

The other adult perched nearby to groom.