April 7th. An afternoon walk east and west of Grayville Road. Reflections on Raymond Brook.

 

 

 

 

 

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is starting to bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Periwinkle or Myrtle (Vinca minor).

 

The invasive Japanese Barberry (Berberus thunbergii) is in bud and leafing out.

 

Black Flies (Simulium sp.) are around but not biting yet.

 

April 8th. Male Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) still calling with, if anything, more urgency. Maybe the females have arrived?

 

This American Crow (Corvus brachyrhyncos) was calling from high in a dead tree.

 

Sunny, but cool enough for mist to rise from the marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) in various stages of blooming.

 

Pyrola sp.

 

April 9th. High 30s and very foggy shortly after 7 A.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basal rosette of Common Mullein (Verrbascum thapsus).

 

I believe the fuzz on the leaves protects them from frost over the winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spider webs all over Multiflora Roses (Rosa multiflora).

 

One large orb web catching what light there was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were about the only waterfowl visible through the fog.

 

 

 

A male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) exploring a Wood Duck house.