July 24th.  A young male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) beginning to show his colors.

 

 

 

I walked by a flock of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum).

 

Some pictures just don't work out.  Looked okay in the viewfinder.

 

Pollenia labialis is a Calliphorid fly that forms mating "leks" in the same sunny spots along the trail each summer.  On June 25th, I saw the first gathering of this year.  Today they were back: another generation?  For the full story of these interesting and harmless flies see: http://www.performance-vision.com/airline2012/airline-summer-12c.htm#flies

 

July 29th.  Back from a brief vacation in New Hampshire.  Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) basking early on what is to be a very hot day.

 

 

 

A male Violet Dancer damselfly (Argia fumipennis).

 

Three-spotted Fillip (Heterophelps triguttaria).

 

A so-far unidentified fly on Spotted Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis).

 

July 30th.  East of Route 207, the fog of humidity hangs in the trees.

 

I would have been content with these first two pictures if I hadn't seen the light develop for the next four.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Near the power lines in Lebanon.  Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), an invasive, albeit a pretty one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spotted Joe-Pye-weed (Eupatorium maculatum).

 

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) caterpillar suspended by a thread of silk.  Dropping down from the foliage above is likely a means of escape from predators and/or a safe refuge to rest while not feeding.

 

As I watched, it wriggled its way up the silken strand eating it as it went.  The silk will be chemically recycled.  Waste not, want not.

 

Common Evening-Primrose (Oenothera biennis).

 

Naked-flowered Tick-trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum).

 

 

 

Cinnabar-red Chanterelles (Cantharellus cinnabarinus).

 

A pair of Banded Net-winged Beetles (Calopteron reticulatum).

 

No idea why a Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) would be blooming now.  Normally, they're in flower in early spring.

 

July 31st.  Humidity mist leftover from last night's rain.  It will soon burn off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of dewey spiderwebs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus).