July 20th.  Juvenal male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

 

 

A female Meadowhawk dragonfly (Sympetrum sp.).

 

A bedragled Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma).

 

Developing berries of Carrion-flower (Smilax herbacea).  When mature they'll turn a deep purple-black.

 

Buttonbush or Honey-balls (Cephalanthus occidentalis).

 

Simple Wave moth (Scopula junctaria).

 

Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris).

 

Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis).

 

Showy Tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense).

 

 

 

Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea canadensis).

 

Tiny flowers, easily missed...

 

...but note the hooked surface of the developing fruit behind the flower.

 

When mature, they will be annoying little burs .

 

Ornamental Hosta at the Route 85 trail head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 22nd.  Large numbers of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) including many juveniles circling the marsh and gathering in their favorite dead tree.

 

 

 

A couple of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) mixed in, distinguished by their rust colored necks.

 

July 23rd.  This appears to be a Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina) but the species is one of a complex of species whose boundaries are not well understood.  Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta) is another possibility.

 

 

 

July 25th.  A young Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus).

 

 

 

After recent heat and rain, Boletes have "mushroomed".

 

Can't get enough of the pastels in Tall Meadow Rue (Thalictrum polygamum) leaves.

 

 

 

Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)...

 

 

 

...with Showy Tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense).

 

A brief afternoon stop at Cranberry Bog.  The Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) goslings can only be told from the adults by their behavior.

 

 

 

A female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) was calling to her ducklings.  (I could heard them returning the calls from the reeds.)

 

 

 

A Green Heron (Butoroides virescens) in deep shadow.

 

 

 

A Meadowhawk dragonfly (Sympetrum sp.); most likely a male.

 

A Mulberry Wing Skipper (Poanes massasoit).

 

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).

 

Meadowsweet (Spiraea latifolia).

 

 

 

Chicory (Cichorium intybus).

 

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

 

A single tall plant of this invasive species.  Pretty, but apt to take over.

 

July 26th.  Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon).

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).