May 28th. A brief stop at a trail near the Blackledge River Bridge. Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos).

 

Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), a Chickweed. Flowers less than a centimeter in diameter.

 

Yarrow (Achillea millifolium).

 

I don't know the flies identity.

 

One of the Cinquefoils, I think Rough-fruited Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta).

 

Next stop, the pond where the trail crosses River Road. Dame's-Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), a mustard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hmm...

 

From left to right, the beak, nostril, and eye of a Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina).

 

False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina racemosa) in full flower.

 

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis).

 

Bladder Campion (Silene cucubalus).

 

Larger Blue Flag iris (Iris versicolor).

 

May 31st. Memorial Day. Back on the trail after several days of much needed heavy rain. It's been awhile since I checked on the Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) nest in the roof of this sign board.

 

Two chicks in residence.

 

Close crop of the previous picture. I only allowed myself one quick photo.

 

Later, I saw the female approach the nest with a caterpillar in its beak.

 

The rain had recently ended, leaving branches heavy with water and the trail puddled.

 

Hickory (Carya sp.) covered in galls.

 

The galls were made either by by Hickory Gall Midges (Caryomyia sp.) or Hickory Gall Aphids (Phylloxera sp.).

 

Glad to see the high water.

 

 

 

A distant pair of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raymond Brook at Old Colchester Road.

 

Wild Garlic (Allium canadense). Flowers will look like this: https://www.ct-botanical-society.org/Plants/view/21

 

Larger Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor).

 

A male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) closer and less skittish than usual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus).

 

Star Rosette Lichen (Physcia stellaris).

 

(Picture sent to an expert for ID help.)

 

Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucathemum).