July 6th. The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) was back. Looking a bit ragged...

 

...but not shy.

 

 

 

Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica). But what's that white egg-like thing?

 

It is an egg, probably of a parasitic Tachinid fly (Compsilura concinnata), known to parasitize over 300 insect species.

 

Momma Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) leading four near-adults across the trail towards the channel.

 

At this pont, she's followed by three young males and a female.

 

The first male holding up progress.

 

Back on task but the last two not with the program.

 

One male protesting?

 

...and longing to turn back?

 

Okay, he's back, more or less.

 

This is going badly for Mom.

 

And she gave up.

 

 

 

Back where they came from.

 

One of two Northern Water Snakes (Nerodia sipedon) side by side.

 

Note the "keeled" scales on its back.

 

 

 

 

 

The other Northern Water Snake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further along the trail, two more Northern Water Snakes.

 

Note the patterned belly and barely visible pattern on the back.

 

 

 

July 7th. A young (2nd year?) Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina).

 

 

 

A couple of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).

 

The usual semi-tame Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus).

 

 

 

July 8th. American Hazrlnut (Corylus americana) nuts are starting to mature.

 

There's more of it along the trail through the marsh than I've ever seen before.

 

Showy Tick Trefoil (Family Fabaceae, Desmodium canadense) has started to bloom.

 

Soon we'll be plagued by their sticky seeds (= "ticks") in linear strings of 3 or 4, revealing their pea family heritage.

 

July 10th. The same family of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) seen tryi ng to cross the trail a few days ago.

 

Mom, two young males (vertical white strip on their heads) and two young females.

 

My favorite of the three pictures.

 

A short afternoon walk over Lyman Viaduct.

 

The original iron trestle is buried under many tons of fill, but can still be seen protruding above the surface in places.

 

 

 

Little Wood-Satyr (Megisto cymela).

 

 

 

 

 

A female Common Whitetail dragonfly (Plathrmis lydia).

 

Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) is starting to bloom. (Insects at right are a Halictid bee and a Mordellid beetle.)

 

A Flower Longhorn Beetle (Family Cerambycidae, Subfamily Lepturinae), and a Tumbling Flower Beetle (Family Mordellidae).

 

Rabbit's-foot Clover (Trifolium arvense).

 

Two Helleborine Orchids (Epipactis helleborine).

 

I see this very rarely, and not for many years.

 

 

 

 

 

Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis) at the Bull Hill Road parking area.