July 29th. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) has just started blooming.

 

 

 

 

 

Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) has been blooming for a week or two.

 

 

 

Seeds of Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense) are mature and ready to stick to clothing, flesh, or anything else that brushes against them.

 

Tick Trefoil is an invasive plant that spreads along the trail through this sticky method of seed dispersal.

 

Sphagnum Moss holds water like a sponge, explaining why once dried it is sold as a soil additive.

 

Mmm, Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are near their peak of ripeness.

 

July 31st. White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) doe and fawn.

 

 

 

A second pair of doe and fawn. Note the barely visible bird atop the dead tree trunk behind the doe.

 

The bird (possibly a Phoebe or Kingbird) has landed on the doe's head, perhaps gleaning ticks or flies.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus).

 

New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), a bit past peak.

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) flower...

 

...and seed head.

 

Probably a Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina).

 

August 1st. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) drying its wings in the early sun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Female and immature Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) hop among the Fragrant Water-lilies (Nymphaea odorata) foraging for bugs.