May 5th.  The circle of life continues at Cranberry Bog in East Hampton.  Once again Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are nesting on the little island in the northwest corner.

 

"Mom" seems well situated with mustard flowers nearby.

 

"Dad" was further to the right on the bank...

 

...until he saw me and paddled out for a closer look.

 

May 6th.  Dark morning just after rain.  Crab Apple.

 

Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) are back.  In fact, they've been back for several days.  Just in time to feed on Eastern Tent and Gypsy Moth caterpillars.

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow Warblers (Dendroica petechia) have also been back for a few days.

 

May 7th.  A classic spring morning at 50 degrees.

 

 

 

Two of three Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) heading out of sight.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

 

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

A bedragled looking male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus).

 

A male American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis).

 

May 8th. A female Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis).

 

 

 

A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) resting on an old beaver lodge.  (I don't think there's a nest so far.)

 

May 9th.  Cool and cloudy, but lovely spring colors in the trees.

 

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

 

After that picture, he scurried into this hole near the Senior Citizens bench at the junction with the Colchester Spur.

 

Sitting on the bench (I am a senior citizen after all), I tried waiting him out - but no luck, he was more patient - or he exited from a different hole.

 

Pink Lady's-slipper orchids are in bud.

 

An unusual small violet with leaves held in a cup shape.  I'd like to think that it's Hook-spurred Violet (Viola adunca), a species of special concern in Connecticut, but there's not enough of diagnostic use in the photo for me to be sure.

 

Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are doing real well this year.

 

 

 

Rose family, probably a Prunus species.

 

 

 

Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii), an invasive.

 

 

 

It also comes in pink.

 

Limber Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica).

 

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea).

 

 

 

 

 

Oak leaves just beginning to unfurl.

 

 

 

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is lush this time of year.

 

 

 

Pinxter Azalea leaf gall caused by a fungus, Exobasidium vaccinii.