April 13th. A distant Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). Bottoms up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later in the day near Grayville Road, Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).

 

 

 

Petals fall shortly after the flower is pollinated, making these a true spring ephemeral.

 

Distinctive leaf starting to unfurl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda) are just starting to bloom.

 

Tiny, so easy to miss.

 

Dog Violet (Viola labradorica) I think.

 

Wild Ramps or Leeks (Allium tricoccum).

 

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) leaves fully unfurled.

 

April 14th. Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera).

 

This is about the full extent of the "tree"; just a few branches with no trunk bigger than an inch or so.

 

American Beaver (Castor canadensis). So glad to see them back at the marsh.

 

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

 

A male non-biting Midge (Family Chironomidae) on the inside of my truck window, sky behind it.

 

About the size of a mosquito.

 

 

 

A short afternoon walk from River Road to the Air Line Trail under the Blackledge River Bridge. In the sandy path I found many burrows of Beewolves (Family Crabronidae, Subfamily Philanthinae). Didn't get any pictures of the wasps, but here are pictures of them from 2012:
https://www.performance-vision.com/airline2012/airline-summer-12c.htm#beewolf

 

April 17th. The Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) is in full bloom, but not showing leaves yet.

 

 

 

 

 

East of Route 207, the Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) flowers have shriveled up.

 

A Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) perches near 2019's abandoned Great Blue Heron nest.

 

Late morning at Cranberry Bog in East Hampton, a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)...

 

...rests on the nest.

 

Across Smith Street, Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) flowers are about to open.

 

 

 

 

 

At the parking lot, I chatted with a group of hikers, the Blue Blaze Ruckers, with their rucksacks. I learned that "rucking" is walking with weight. If this sounds like something you might enjoy, check them out at https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlueBlazeRuckers I understand that they schedule frequent hikes on trails across Connecticut.

As I finished chatting with them, I noticed activity at the Goose nest so walked back to it and was rewarded by...

 

...the goose shifting the eggs around. Two eggs at least.

 

I see four eggs in this photo...

 

 

 

...and five I think in this photo (two between the goose's feet).

 

Settling back down.

 

More adjustments.

 

Settled.

 

April 18th. Wood Anemone (Anenome quinquefolia) blossoms will likely be open by this afternoon.

 

Reflections.

 

 

 

 

 

Distant Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

Spring pastels rival Fall.