June 6th.  Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) on a cleverly hidden nest.

 

 

 

Its mate perched nearby.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

A Predacious Diving Beetle (Family Dytiscidae, genus Dytiscus or Colymbetes - TBD).

 

It was found truckin' across the trail at Raymond Brook Marsh.  Most likely looking for a place to burrow into soil to pupate.

 

The mandibles are hollow "hypodermics".  They inject digestive fluids into prey (small fish, tadpoles, and other insects), then suck up the digested contents.

 

 

 

The rear end breaks the surface tension and allows the insect to replenish its air supply before diving.  Swimming hairs on the legs help propel it.

 

 

 

I saw three beaks at the Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) nest.

 

"Mom" is very attentive to the chicks' needs.

 

 

 

Carolina Saddlebags dragonfly (Tramea carolina).

 

 

 

Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sp.).

 

Wild Garlic (Allium canadense).

 

Musk Turtle of "Stinkpot" (Sternothaerus odoratus).

 

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).

 

 

 

June 7th.  A young Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon).

 

The Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) nest doesn't look as optimal as it did yesterday.  Bright sun on it is causing the overheated bird to pant.

 

 

 

Green Frog (Rana clamitans) in roughly the same spot as on several recent mornings.

 

Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata).  I see at least two large leeches on the shell.

 

Two of the three Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) chicks peeking out of the nest.

 

A male Dot-tailed Whiteface dragonfly (Lucorrhinia intacta).

 

Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were back, feeding on unripe serviceberries and perhaps blueberries.

 

Pasture or Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina).

 

June 8th.  Another Green Frog (Rana clamitans), this one darker.

 

May 11th.  The male Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) on guard near the nest.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

 

 

 

 

The Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) chicks are growing fast.

 

Back a little later in the morning for a slightly longer look - with tripod.  Mom delivers a moth.

 

Look at how developed the chicks' wing feathers are!  They'll fledge soon.

 

Not much for tail feathers yet though.

 

"Hey, stop lookin' at my butt!"

 

 

 

Dad's turn.

 

 

 

 

 

A crane fly and a little moth.

 

Middle bird got the crane fly.  (June 12th update.  The chicks had fledged by this morning.)

 

June 12th.  A couple of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were feeding on unripe serviceberries again.

 

 

 

June 14th.  Baltamore Oriole (Icterus galbula) visiting the nest above the trail.

 

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) female on her nest.  Tail feathers at left; top of head and eye at right.

 

June 15th.  Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) back-to on her nest.

 

Male Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) feeding chicks.

 

Looks like a moth pupa (Gypsy Moth?) in his beak.

 

Male still on the nest as the female waits with more food.

 

And the female leaves with a poop capsule to dispose of away from the nest.