May 20th. Pink Lady's-slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule).

 

Pink Azalea or Pinxter-flower (Rhododendron nudiflorum).

 

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana).

 

At Cranberry Bog, the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) family is back from wherever they were hiding yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) on the nest just east of Cranberry Bog.

 

 

 

 

 

One chick.

 

Two chicks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 25th. A sunny afternoon at Cranberry Bog. The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) family remains intact; goslings growing fast; adults about to molt.

 

A female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) perched on a hummock. Nest nearby?

 

 

 

 

 

The usual Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).

 

I know it's the same bird because of its damaged neck with its tongue out through the hole.

 

Not pleasant to see, but good to know the bird is still hunting and coping.

 

It can protrude it some.

 

 

 

Definitely hunting.

 

 

 

 

 

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) covered in Duck Weed (Lemna minor).

Note: I was unable to photograph the Red-shouldered Hawks' nest: Leaves now mostly obscure it.

 

May 26th. Curious male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos).

 

 

 

Back to grooming.

 

Amazing feet.

 

An afternoon walk east of Route 207. Wild Grapes (Vitus sp.) about to bloom.

 

A male Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) using its proboscis to obtain vital minerals...

 

...which he'll pass to a female with his spermatophore. A 'nuptial gift".

 

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) was everywhere.

 

This one had a Weevil (Family Curculionidae) on it.

 

Pretty certain this is an Iris Weevil (Mononychus vulpeculus).

 

One of two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) at the pond east of Route 207.

 

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).

 

 

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

An Ant (Family Formicidae) tending its herd of Aphids from which it gets sweet honeydew.

 

A very dusty Amercan Giant Millipede (Narceus americanus) - about 3 inches long.

 

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).

 

The individual flowers are quite spectacular.

 

 

 

Ragged-robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi).

 

Lots of Pink Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule), but kinda dusty.

 

 

 

 

 

Visited by a male Long-horned Beetle (Family Cerambycidae).

 

May 27th. Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) laying eggs at Raymond Brook Marsh. 'Tis the season.

 

Evidence in disturbed soil that other turtles have nested nearby.

 

May 28th. American Beaver (Castor canadensis), I think performing maintenance on the beaver dam.

 

Lousy photos and the water surface coated in pollen and debris from fallen tree blossoms.