May 26th. A White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) heading towards me at the marsh.

 

 

 

Thinking...

 

...and then splashed across the south side of the marsh to a more private feeding spot.

 

Another better picture of the Pink Azalea or Pinxter-flower (Rhododendron nudiflorum).

 

False Solomon's-seal (Smilacina racemosa) is distinguished by the cluster of off-white flowers at the tip of each stem.

 

Slender Blue-Flag Iris (Iris prismatica) started blooming a day or two ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High in an Oak, something in the crotch of several branches.

 

Ah, it's a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), head facing away from me, tail to the left, mostly behind a leaf. Dove "nests" are hardly more than a couple of twigs in a slightly sheltered spot.

 

From the trail, I headed down nearby Millstream Road to a massive tree covered in Wisteria. An album of photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72157714466823633

 

May 27th. This time the Mourning Dove was facing towards me. You can see some sense of its minimal nest.

 

The semi-tame Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was around, not far from the trail.

 

 

 

A Strawberry Oak Gall, made by the Wool-sower Gall Wasp (Family Cynipidae, Callirhytis seminator).

 

Ha! Until I edited that last picture, I hadn't noticed the little spider below the oak leaf.

 

May 28th. The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) and simple nest from another direction.

 

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) family crossing the trail. This was their second attempt after a jogger approaching scared them back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tree Swallow "photobombing" the geese was a surprise when I edited the picture..

 

Safe at last.

 

May 29th. The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) family again.

 

Look at all those Bullhead-lilies (Nuphar vareigatum). Beavers love to eat the blossoms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 30th. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum).

 

Strawberry Oak Gall, made by the Wool-sower Gall Wasp (Family Cynipidae, Callirhytis seminator) looks the same but nearby leaves have matured.

 

No change at the Mourning Dove nest.

 

A pair of Doves closer to Old Colchester Road. Didn't see a nest nearby.

 

Paainted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).

 

A four inch long Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina).

 

 

 

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

 

 

 

 

 

Chubby cheeks.