April 21st. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

Was hoping to see a nest, or the few sticks that passes for a nest in these birds, but no luck yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) is finally leafing out.

 

There's an Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) nest in the top right front corner of this sign board's roof.

 

Females build the nest while the male guards the female. They were constantly coming and going.

 

Here's the female holding nest material. Read about nesting behavior here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Phoebe/lifehistory

 

 

 

Here's the nest, so far.

 

East of Route 207. Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is coming up. It has an ancient heritage.

 

Front left leaves are of Canada Mayflower also called Wild Lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum canadense).

 

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) leaves. Pink flowers will be along soon.

 

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is spreading fast, all along the trail.

 

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

 

April 23rd. Spring pastels. 32 degrees and breezy.

 

 

 

Shadbush or Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea).

 

 

 

 

 

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) seeds are nearly mature.

 

Spring comes from the bottom up. Low plants race for the light before being shadowed by trees above.

 

 

 

 

 

First of a pair of Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura).

 

The second Dove.

 

Breeze ripples.

 

 

 

Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) taking a break from bug catching.

 

 

 

A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was right by the trail. I walked right past it until I heard it take a short hop to this slightly more exposed spot.

 

Not happy with me for following, it flew off to a spot further away from the trail.

 

New growth mixed with old stalks of Common Reed (Phragmites australis).

 

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) has made it through the leaf litter not far from the Route 85 trail head.

 

I have no fondness for invasive Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), but this backlit leaf stood out.

 

The male Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) on guard not far from the nest...

 

...which has had more mud and vegetation added to it.

 

A Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludoviianus) right at the Route 85 trail head.

 

Feisty and loud little bird!

 

 

 

April 24th. A female Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus).