November 15th.  Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum).

 

Lots of waxwings passing through.

 

Did I mention that there were lots of them?

 

November 16th. A fraction of the many Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) on the marsh this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

(Low light, high noise, lousy photo.  Oh well.)

 

November 20th.  First dusting of snow for the fall.

 

November 21st.  Another crowd of Canada Geese, preparing for takeoff.

 

 

 

 

 

Four, of at least six, Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) exploring one of the new Wood Duck houses.  According to the Pennsylvania Extension Service, "Bluebirds that over-winter in the region, rather than migrate, require weather-tight roosting sites and use both natural cavities and nest boxes."  Hard to imagine such a large box being suitable for them, but I'll let them be the judges.  ;-)

 

November 24th.  Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) at the Route 85 trail head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 25th.  About half the rersident Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) at Cranberry Bog.

 

A few Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) too.

 

 

 

 

 

December 2nd.  Heavy frost at 22 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 6th.  On Alder, a rare Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) cocoon.  A Downy Woodpecker puncture (not visible in the view) probably marked the initial attack, followed perhaps by other birds.  But the crisp, chewed edges to the main breach suggest that a rodent also played a role in destroying the overwintering pupa.

 

December 8th.  On Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), another Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) cocoon.  This one shows ragged, pulled out margins of the breach - typical damage by a bird (or birds).

 

Clouds moving in.  Snow expected tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

December 9th.  Fine snow just starting to fall; ice on the marsh already coated..  Four to eight inches predicted for later today.

 

Beavers (Castor canadensis) have been busy cutting food for the winter...

 

...and dragging it to their cache on the channel side.

 

Their lodge is just behind the cache; you can just make out the dark mound through the brush.  They've dug a channel to it that will allow underwater access to it, and the food cache, through the winter.

 

December 11th.  A storm on Saturday, December 9th, transformed the trail and marsh, leaving 6" of snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 17th.  Cranberry Bog, East Hampton.