April 10th. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapilla).

 

 

 

A male Northern "Yellow-shafted" Flicker (Colaptes auratus).

 

Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have arrived at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

American Robin (Turdus migratorius).

 

While I've seen signs of activity in recent weeks, this is the first American Beaver (Castor canadensis) I've seen at Raymond Brook Marsh since a trapper breached the dam just over a year ago - and the beavers were either killed or fled their drained pond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucky shot. Just as it was about to slap its tail and dive.

 

 

 

 

 

April 11th. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and a couple of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) taking a break.

 

 

 

(Caption contest?)

 

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) parade.

 

Yes, that's what it looks like.

 

 

 

Seconds later. "Nothing to see here."

 

April 12th. Another walk west from the Brownstone Bridge on River Road to visit the Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens).

 

 

 

 

 

Fiddleheads of a Polypod Fern.

 

Pyrola sp.

 

Terminal leaf buds of American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) are distinctive.

 

The highly invasive Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is growing at the parking area.

 

It superficially resembles bamboo. Read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynoutria_japonica

 

Next stop, a short walk east from Grayville Road to check on Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). In bud...

 

...opening...

 

...and in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

Final stop, east of Route 207. The now ubiquitous invasive Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is in bud.
Read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynoutria_japonica

 

A teeny Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) amid moss.

 

Lots of tiny Sweet White Violets (Viola blanda) were blooming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).

 

 

 

False Hellebore (Veratrum viride). The pleated leaves distinguish it from Skunk Cabbage.

 

 

 

 

 

Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) were basking in the afternoon sun.

 

 

 

Distant turtles and a pair of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris).