June 16th. The same Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus) I photographed on June 7th at the same spot...

 

...but as I said then, the coloration of some Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) is very similar.

 

Young Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were learning to search lily pads for insects, but alternately begging food from "mom".

 

That bird was spooked when the pad began to fold under it.

 

The same young bird in a more secure spot.

 

A Dogwood (Cornus sp.). I think Alternate-leaf Dogwood (C. alternifolia) but maybe Red Osier Dogwood (C. stolonifera).

 

Appalachian Brown (Satyrodes appalachia).

 

A female Pollenia labialis fly at the sunny "lek" spot I've followed for years. See for instance: https://www.performance-vision.com/airline2021/airline-spring-21v.html#flies

 

A male Fragile Forktail Damselfly (Ischnura posita).

 

Another Appalachian Brown (Satyrodes appalachia) with slightly different coloration.

 

The same snake in the same sopot, half an hour later.

 

A saw another snake not far away but it was backlit so photos were too poor to use.

 

June 17th. An afternoon walk east of Cook Hill Road in Lebanon. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).

 

Inflorescence of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).

 

Close up of individual flowers.

 

Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sp.). An Iris relative, not a grass.

 

 

 

Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum) visited by a Mason Wasp (Family Vespidae, Subfamily Eumeninae, Eudynerus foraminatus).

 

 

 

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma).

 

A silver comma-shaped mark on the "dead leaf" underside gives it its name.

 

 

 

Cabbage White (Pieris rapae).

 

Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) with another Cabbage White on Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).

 

June 18th. Veery (Catharus fuscesans) in shadow. (I wasn't quick enough to catch it in the light where it was almost golden in color.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) on the hunt.

 

 

 

Seeing these two snakes together I think they both must be Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis).

 

On the left, definitely Garter Snake coloration.

 

On the right, probably a Garter Snake too, not an Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus) as I thought.

 

Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis).

 

Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium).

 

 

 

Male Pollenia labialis flies at the sunny "lek" spot I've followed for years. Today resting on Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). For background, see: https://www.performance-vision.com/airline2021/airline-spring-21v.html#flies

 

The larval flies (maggots) are parasitic on earthworms.

 

Close up of a male Pollenia labialis. Note how the eyes nearly touch at the top of the head. In females there is a wide gap.

 

June 19th. A lone male Pollenia labialis on Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus).

 

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

 

 

 

Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is just starting to bloom.

 

 

 

Two young Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa), still lacking flight feathers.

 

Make that four.

 

How many ducks can you get on that little mound?

 

Four, apparently.

 

 

 

Based on their light facial markings, the two on the left are males.

 

June 20th. Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum). First flower of the year.

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

 

 

Eastern Kingbird "hawking" from atop a Wood Duck house.

 

A male Turquoise Bluet damselfly (Enallagma divagans).

 

Defining features are the wide black top of the thorax and lack of blue on the addomen except at the tip.