Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The female Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is still incubating eggs, now surrounded by down.

 

A more typical pose, hunkered down to be less obvious to potentrial predators.

 

Female Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are on the move, looking for soft warm sandy soil to lay their eggs.

 

 

 

Water Lilies (Nymphaea odorata) have just begun blooming.

 

 

 

The water lilies join yellow Pond Lilies (Nuphar vareigatum) which have been blooming for quite some time.

 

Wool-sower Gall on White Oak.  The gall was made by a Cynipid Wasp (Callirhytis seminator).

 

 

 

First Ox-eye Daisies (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) blooming now.

 

Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) will begin flowering any day now.

 

I'm pretty sure this is Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago); if not then certainly another Viburnum species.

 

I'm pretty sure this is the predatory caterpillar of a Shivering Pinion (Lithophane querqueria) moth.  This caterpillar feeds on other caterpillars, not on foliage.

 

May 31st.  The tree where I found yesterday's caterpillar and where...

 

...I saw this odd twig today.

 

An inchworm (Family Geometridae) caterpillar, yet to be identified.

 

June 3rd.  Mallards talking about the goose behind them?

 

Glad to see the Canada Goose still incubating her eggs despite cold and heavy rain that could have easily flooded her out.

 

At least two chicks in the Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petichia) nest.

 

First Yarrow (Achillea millifolium) in bloom.

 

June 4th.  Yarrow flowers up close.

 

Closer still, you can see a number of Thrips (Order Thysanoptera) feeding on pollen.

 

A Morbid Owlet moth (Chytolita morbidalis).  Who comes up with these names?  It's caterpillar feeds on dead leaves of deciduous trees; perhaps that's the connection?

 

An Assassin Bug (Zelus sp., probably a female Z. luridus).

 

Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) were calling in late afternoon.  Up close, they are painfully loud.

 

 

 

Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos).

 

American Beaver (Castor canadensis).  I was surprised to see this one out in sunny afternoon weather.

 

 

 

It splashed and dove several times.

 

 

 

Three Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) chicks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 4th.  White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

 

The female Canada Goose must surely be sick and tired of sheltering her eggs.  "Dad" is long gone to parts unknown.

 

The abandoned Yellow-throated Vireo nest has sprouted a thatch of pine needles.  Huh?

 

June 5th.  Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) in pretty deep water. 

 

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) gander.  He's still around after all, but far from his mate who is still incubating eggs.