July 8th. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus).

 

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)...

 

...on Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

 

Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

 

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).

 

Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)...

 

...also on Milkweed.

 

Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle (Labidomera clivicollis).

 

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus).

 

Woodchuck (Marmota monax).

 

July 9th. Despite the cold wet weather, Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) has already begun to bloom.

 

July 14th. Sunny days at last, and a busman's holiday to the Air Line Trail as it passes through Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, Connecticut.

 

Goldthread (Coptis groenlandica) growing through Sphagnum moss matted on a mid-stream rock. The plant gets its common name from its bright golden root.

 

Fragrant Water-lilies (Nymphaea odorata) and their large lily pads flank the much smaller pads and a maroon flower of the related Water-shield (Brassenia schreberi).

 

 

 

Water-shield (Brassenia schreberi).

 

At the Goodwin Conservation Education Center, female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) were feeding on nectar from Bee-balm (Monarda didyma).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Pearly Eye (Enodia anthedon) is tough to spot when it rests in leaf litter.

 

July 18th. A good year for Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata). Lots of it blooming as you approach Raymond Brook Marsh from the east.

 

 

 

Very unusual flowers. Note the pores in the anthers for release of pollen.

 

July 19th. Young Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) taking a break.

 

 

 

Unidentified Spider starting a web.

 

 

 

Several species of Longhorn Beetles (Family Cerambycidae) on Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota).