May 7th.  It's getting green out there!

 

 

 

Male Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) atop a Wood Duck nest box post.

 

A new trail species, Mus heliomylarus, a Mylar Mouse, formerly helium filled.

 

Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).

 

At Cranberry Bog, the female Mallard (Anas playtrhynchos) is still brooding.  Tough to take her seriously with that down crown.

 

 

 

Lots of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).

 

Goslings as cute as ever.

 

Heading down for a dip.

 

Hesitating...

 

...then taking the plunge.

 

 

 

 

 

Back up on land,

 

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans).

 

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) almost gone by, but note the Jack-in-the-Pulpit at the right.

 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens).

 

 

 

May 9th.  Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) having a scratch, at the pond east of Route 207.

 

Also at that pond, Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) with five goslings.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the wild Mustards (Brassica sp.).

 

At Cranberry Bog, no change at the Mallard nest; the female still brooding.  The Canada Geese and goslings out and about.

 

 

 

Duckweed (Lemna minor) coats the pond surface and the bodies of waterfowl swimming through it.

 

 

 

 

 

Plenty of Duckweed for everybody.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) I've seen this spring.

 

Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia).

 

May 10th.  One of two Beavers (Castor canadensis) that have moved into an old lodge.

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea).

 

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum).

 

 

 

Crab Apple (Malus coronaria).

 

 

 

 

 

Pink Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) are in bud, though I see far fewer than in previous years.  (Maybe the rest are a bit late?)

 

Eastern Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma americana) are growing fast.

 

May 11th.  A brand new Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) nest...

 

...and a male Oriole not far away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

 

 

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus).

 

May 11th.  Late afternoon at Cranberry Bog.  Finally, the Mallard female is off the nest, but only with a single duckling.

 

Couldn't be cuter though.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile the goslings are growing fast.  I'd guess they've doubled in size.

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the grass after their dip.