May 1st.  Tree Swallows (Pachycineta bicolor) evaluating an old woodpecker hole as a nest site.  A male looking into the hole; his mate above, and another female at the left.  (She soon departed.)

 

 

 

 

 

Males are deep metallic blue.

 

Females mostly grey above, with just hints of metallic blue.

 

 

 

The male inside; the female drops down to have a look.

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-afternoon.  What a difference from a month ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) sunning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enlarged, I was able to count 33 turtles in this photo...

 

...and 37 in this one.

 

First Northern Water Snakes (Nerodia sipedon) I've seen this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

 

 

 

 

May 2nd.  The Tree Swallows (Pachycineta bicolor) have definitely moved in to the old woodpecker hole.

 

Room with a view.

 

 

 

The first male Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) I've seen this year.

 

 

 

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

 

May 3rd.  Beaver (Castor canadensis) motoring by.

 

 

 

 

 

Marsh Marigold or Cowslip (Caltha palustris).

 

May 4th.  Eastern Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum) have hatched and started nest construction.

 

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum).

 

A Lichen I don't recognize, high in a tree.

 

May 5th.  A Veery... or some other thrush?

 

Male Tree Swallow on guard duty.

 

May 6th.  Male Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula).

 

 

 

 

 

May 7th.  Serviceberry or Shadbush (Amelanchier arborea).