April 5th. Two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) flew over the marsh.

 

 

 

Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) in bloom.

 

Another, much smaller Willow (Salix sp.).

 

A lone Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) at the pond east of Route 207.

 

Calling. It soon took off.

 

A pair of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris). I counted 11 in all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) flowers are past prime and leaves starting to unfurl.

 

The flowers appear on the surface of the round spadix inside the sheathing spadix.

 

April 6th. An ornamental Daffodil planted by the Route 85 sign board.

 

 

 

The first Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) I've seen hunting at the marsh this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little later, the same bird fascinated by a twig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

 

 

 

A male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) around.

 

April 7th. More Daffodils open at the Route 85 trail head.

 

 

 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), and Red Maples (Acer rubrum) in flower.

 

From a distance without the camera's extreme telephoto capability, this looked like a flight of Canada Geese heading north.

 

Cropped to make them appear closer, you may be able to guess what they are.

 

Yes, they're Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias). Eight of them. Wow.

 

Proof that after 19+ years photographing the trail, it still has some surprises for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Back east of Route 207 for a quick look. The usual Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris).

 

Some were closer than usual.

 

 

 

They dive.

 

 

 

A female's turn to dive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is blooming.