July 2nd. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) chick (at left) is starting to grow mature plumage.

 

Deptford Pinks (Dianthus armeria).

 

 

 

 

 

Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa).

 

Purple Vetch (Vicia americana).
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More Vetch, this time with a Thrips (Thysanoptera) on one of the buds.

 

White Sweet Clover (Melilotus alba).

 

Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis).

 

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta).

 

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Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum).

 

 

 

Peppergrass or Poor-man's Pepper (Lepidium virginicum).

 

 

 

 

 

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata).

 

 

 

Day-lily (Hemerocallis fulva).
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Fall? A few Red Maple (Acer rubrum) leaves have turned early.

 

 

 

July 3rd. Mourning Dove chick is suddenly enormous!

 

 

 

A young Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) two hops from the safety of cover.

 

July 4th. Independence Day and the Mourning Dove chick has fledged.

 

One active Cedar Waxwing nest remains, but prime nesting season seems about over.

 

July 6th. Canada Lilies (Lilium canadense) are starting to bloom.

 

July 7th. Mourning Doves are back at the nest. Starting another clutch?

 

Debris clogging an old culvert far down the trail flushed through yesterday, essentially draining the east side of the marsh overnight.

 

Where water remains, it's very shallow. Elsewhere the aquatic plants and stranded fish will soon bake on exposed mud.

 

Great Blue Herons (Ardea Herodius) are temporary beneficiaries of the low water as their prey have little means to escape.