May 14th.  The invasive Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii).  Rampant along the trail.

 

Common Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana).

 

A different Cherry (Prunus sp.).

 

May 16th.  Limber or Glaucous Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica).

 

May 17th.  Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) remain active at a tree hole nest...

 

 

 

...and pursuing insects in flight.

 

 

 

Pink Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) between rain showers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bullfrog (Rana catesbiana).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 18th.  Goslings at Cranberry Bog are growing.

 

 

 

May 19th. A male Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus).

 

Flat out on the trail, probing for minerals in the soil while warming as heat rises from the surface below it.

 

Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) were basking in brief moments of sun.

 

 

 

Others were crossing the trail.  Nesting season?

 

This Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) was also taking advantage of the brief period of sun.

 

This was a particularly large one.

 

Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus).

 

Grape (Vitus sp.) leaves are expanding...

 

...while flower bud clusters are beginning to show.

 

Nice color on Oak (Quercus sp.) seedlings.

 

May 20th. Pink Azalea or "Pinxter Flower" (Rhododendron nudifolium) is in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An afternoon walk, skirting thunder showers.

 

 

 

First Oriole nest I've found this year.

 

May 24th.  What's that emerging from the marsh?

 

It's a Water Scavenger Beetle (Hydrophilus sp.).

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) in morning fog.

 

May 25th.  Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata).

 

May 26th. Larger Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor).

 

 

 

Ferns are lush at this time of year.  This is Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum).

 

And this is Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis).

 

Somewhat fern-like in appearance, this is Tall Meadow Rue (Thalictrum polygamum).

 

May 27th.  More Larger Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) are blooming.