September 22nd.  Colors showing and water flowing after a night of rain.  Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grayville Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 23rd.  Woolly Alder Aphids (Prociphilus tessellatus) are gathering in their overwintering clusters.

 

Threads of wax exuded from abdominal pores serve as protection and perhaps insulation.

 

In this photo, you can see part of one insect's body.

 

A large mass of the aphids, high in an Alder shrub.

 

Red Maples (Acer rubrum) are turning color.

 

Rouite 85 trailhead Sunflowers add much appreciated color...

 

...as do the glorious New England Asters (Symphylotrichum novae-angliae) neaerly hidden below them.

 

 

 

 

 

September 24th.  Foggy and chilly.

 

 

 

September 25th.  An uncommon visitor, an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).  Shy, it soon flew off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guesses?

 

Does this help?

 

Ah, caterpillar of the Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia).

 

Active mostly at night, they find shelter during the day.

 

They overwinter as mature caterpillars, much like our common, smaller Woolly Bear.