May 15th. A female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) foraging atop lily pads.

 

 

 

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus).

 

 

 

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis).

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

 

 

An Earth-boring Scarab Beetle (Family Geotrupidae, Geotrupes splendidus).

 

Most are metallic green above, though some have a purplish cast.

 

Underside blue-green.

 

East of Route 207, Willy was absent and the active Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) nest was briefly vacant until this male returned.

 

Although cool, with the sun out for the first time in memory, I imagine the bird felt able to leave the eggs unattended briefly.

 

 

 

 

 

Time for a scratch.

 

May 16th. A Veery (Catharus fuscescens).

 

Solomon's-seal (Polygonatum biflorum) just about to flower.

 

Some sort of Cherry (Prunus sp.)

 

Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) flowers just starting to open.

 

East of Route 207, Willy remains absent while one Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) stands guard over the pair's eggs.

 

 

 

A little nest tidying up...

 

 

 

...and some personal grooming.

 

May 20th. Back on the trail after 3 days in northern New Hampshire. Photos from the trip in 3 FlickR albums.
Squirrel and Chipmunk fun: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72157691529622453
Flowers and miscellaneous: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72157707186103071
Birds: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72157707186006781
Meanwhile today at Raymond Brook Marsh, a smallish Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Note the two leaches by its hind leg; not an easy place to dislodge them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) nests, well camouflaged behind leaves.

 

 

 

A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) nest near the beaver dam closest to Old Colchester Road.

 

 

 

Pink Azalea (Rhododendron nudiflorum)

 

Pink form of Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii).

 

(The more common white (maturing to yellow) form nearby.)

 

Yellow Pond-lily or Bullhead-lily (Nuphar variegatum)

 

 

 

Pink Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule)