May 19th. An American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) off River Road not far from the Blackledge River Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

May 20th. Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

The semi-tame Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) let me get about 10 feet from it.

 

 

 

Backlit beak glows.

 

May 21st. The semi-tame Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was right beside the trail again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) nest I've seen this year.

 

A brief stop at Cranberry Bog to see the Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and 6 goslings.

 

Power nap for the goslings...

 

...before they ran off ahead of their parents.

 

 

 

 

 

The parents soon caught up.

 

 

 

Sewer work east of Cranberry Bog has closed the parking lot and the trail at that point. Just room for two cars on the west side of Smith Street.

 

May 22nd. At Raymond Brook Marsh, a pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) with two goslings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nest under construction.

 

Pink Azalea or Pinxter-flower (Rhododendron nudiflorum).

 

Limber Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica).

 

May 24th. A single Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)...

 

...and further on, the goose family I saw several days ago, now on the north side of the trail.

 

The "nest under construction" of May 21st (above) belongs to a pair of Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus). Here, you can see a head...

 

...here a beak, breast, and wings...

 

...and here the distinctive white tipped tail. (It's a kit. Assemble the bird!)

 

Beautiful mushrooms being enjoyed by slugs.

 

 

 

 

 

Better pictures today of the Pink Azalea or Pinxter-flower (Rhododendron nudiflorum).

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of invasive species: First Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morowii).

 

It comes in pink...

 

...and more commonly in white, ageing to yellow. Like many invasives, it's very, very common.

 

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is another nasty invasive (but at least the flowers smell nice).

 

Read more about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaeagnus_umbellata

 

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina).

 

May 25th. Yesterday, a male Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea) eclosed from a cocoon found along the trail several months ago. It was released this afternoon when it became active. (Unlike most silk moths, these are active in late afternoon. They're part of a mimicry ring involving several distasteful swallowtail butterfly species so it makes sense for them to be day-active.)