April 8th.  A look at the former heron roost and marsh east of Cook Hill Road in Lebanon.  No activity and the water level still very low.

 

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is blooming.

 

 

 

Check out these eyelashes!

 

 

 

 

 

Cows seemed pretty desperate, even trying lichen from a downed limb.

 

April 11th.  Fortyone degrees and not raining for a change.

 

A Beaver (Castor canadensis) paddling around.

 

 

 

An afternoon walk to the vernal pools east of Route 2 in Colchester to see the Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) in chorus.  They were loud when I arrived but quieted as I set up tripod and camera.  It took an good ten minutes for them to adjust to my presence and start calling again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Striders (Family Gerridae) were out, having emerged from hibernation as adults.

 

 

 

I also walked on to the Judd Brook bridge where I played troll under it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 12th.  A distant Pied-billed Grebe (Podilumbus podiceps).

 

One of a pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis).

 

I'm almost certain that this is a Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla).  There were at least four near the Jeremy River bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

April 13th.  Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) stay far away across the marsh.

 

A small flock of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) kept ahead of me as I walked down the trail.

 

 

 

April 14th.  Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).  Hood ornament?

 

 

 

Despite cloudy skies, warm temps had turtles out basking.

 

April 15th.  A warm afternoon walk.  First Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) I've seen this year.

 

In very good condition, considering that it overwintered as an adult.

 

Hunkered down, drawing warmth from the rock below.  They're territorial, soon returning to favorite spots if disturbed.

 

I assume this is a Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula).

 

Pond or Bullhead-Lilies (Nuphar variegatum) are emerging and unfolding.  In addition to leaves, I see a bud developing (center bottom).

 

A few easily approachable Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) and egg clusters in the trailside ditch near Old Colchester Road.

 

I saw this American Toad (Bufo americanus) there too, and a Green Frog (Rana clamitans, not pictured).