May 13th. Limber Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica).

 

Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra).

 

 

 

The Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) have made a nest on an old beaver lodge.  Not a very good location: low to the water so vulnerable if we get heavy rain, and not nearly as much vegetation cover as they prefer.  Still, it's surrounded by water so discouraging to some egg predators.

 

"Mom" hunkers down, trying not to be obvious.

 

Day after day, the female Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) shelters her eggs while enjoying the view.

 

May 15th.  Male Tree Swallow on guard above the nest.

 

Eastern Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum) are getting bigger.

 

Lady's-slipper orchids (Cyprepedium acaule) are coloring up.  Beware; they're surrounded by poison ivy so please view from the trail.

 

Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana).

 

Red Chokeberry (Photinia pyrifolia).

 

I found this pre-pupal caterpillar of the Double-toothed Prominent (Nerice bidentata) on the trail last September 1st.

 

Today, the adult moth emerged.  Sure would blend in on a larger lichen-covered twig.

 

May 18th.  False Solomon's-seal (Smilacina racemosa).

 

 

May 19th.  First Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) I've seen in a few days.

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) still hunkered down on her eggs.

 

(May 20th update: Neither bird on the nest after a night of heavy rain and thunderstorms.)

 

Pond or Bullhead Lily (Nuphar variegatum).

 

Spotted Lady Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata).

 

Pink Lady's-slipper orchids (Cyprepedium acaule) are at peak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus).

 

 

 

Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis).

 

 

 

Canada Mayflower of Wild Lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum canadense).

 

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema sp.).

 

Pink Azalea (Rhododendron nudiflorum).

 

Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) is full out; older blossoms turn yellow.

 

Close up view of Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea).

 

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum).

 

A male Orbweaver spider on the geranium.

 

 

 

 

 

Woolly Alder Aphids (Prociphilus tessellatus).  Note the glistening drop of honeydew atop the cluster.

 

A new bird to me, sitting on a remarkable nest of lichen and spider silk (among other things).

 

 

 

 

 

Ah, it's a Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons).

 

May 20th.  An eyeball and a tail are the usual view of the vireo.