June 8th. At Cranberry Bog, solar panels have been installed and the area beyond the dam has been planted. The Nodding Lady's-tresses Orchids (Spiranthes cernua) are certainly gone for good as they grew directly under the foreground area used for access to the plot.

 

 

 

 

 

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) goslings are getting big while the adults have molted their long flight feathers.

 

Hard to tell, but there are 11 goslings and 4 adults in this view.

 

June 10th. The female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) in her now usual morning spot where she can watch her ducklings.

 

She's in the middle of a molt too. A good opportunity to be flightless at the same time as her young.

 

 

 

Seven of her ducklings on a log.

 

 

 

One of several Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) at the marsh.

 

Listen to it here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/sounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 11th. A Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus).

 

Listen to it here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Warbling_Vireo/sounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A male Ebony Jewelwing damselfly (Calopteryx maculata).

 

In flight, they hold their spiny legs in a basket shape to serve as a net for catching small flying insects.

 

An immature or female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) hopping from lily pad to pad, capturing insects.

 

Looks like a nest from this year but I saw no occupants.

 

June 12th. This morning I saw movement at the nest and this Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) flew out.

 

Wet from a passing shower, it was very busy grooming. Never was still for a photo op.

 

Look at about 10 o'clock and note the yellow-tipped tail of the Waxwing's mate. (Hard to see in deep shadow, but I saw it move.)

 

The new Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) nest seems complete - at least no fresh mud added.

 

A brief afternoon stop at Cranberry Bog. Canada Geese (Branta canadensis).

 

 

 

A Waterthrush (Parkesia sp.). My best guess is a Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla), but hard for me to differentiate from the Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis). Russ Smiley confirms Louisiana Waterthrush. Thanks Russ!

 

June 13th. Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) on the nest.

 

Tail feathers as usual.

 

No more than 6 feet from the Waxwing nest, I noticed this Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) nest. I think that's the male.

 

A pretty mature chick poking its head out from various spots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think this is the female based on less striping on the breast.

 

 

 

Definitely the male this time.

 

 

 

Further east, near the old beaver lodge. I found another Yellow Warbler nest in an Azalea. Saw but didn't get a picture of a bird.
Learn more about Yellow Warblers here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow_Warbler

 

June 15th. American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) at Cranberry Bog.

 

 

 

A caterpillar-like Sawfly larva (Family Tenthredinidae).

 

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe).

 

Technically, a pretty lousy picture, but I really like the look of this sheep in the shed doorway just east of Cranberry Bog.