July 11th. Ornamental Day Lily (Hemerocallis fulva) at the Route 85 trailhead.

 

Recently opened (at 7AM), the anthers are just starting to split, revealing pollen. (Top left.)

 

I think this is Caraway (Carum carvi), a single plant growing near the bench oppopsite the train mural.

 

Hmm, did someone discard crumbs from a rye bread sandwich?

 

Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) is blooming.

 

Pollen is released from pores at the tips of specialized stamens.

 

The central green blob is the flower's pistil.

 

Buttonbush or Honey-balls (Cephalanthus occidentalis).

 

Paired red Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morowii) fruits behind it.

 

Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa). Deadly, in case the common name didn't make that clear.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

And now for some nice, calming Fern pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Nice and calm? Next come pictures of the 17 snakes I passed this morning. (I'm guessing the marsh's high water has flooded their burrows.)

 

A young Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon). 15 of today's 17 snakes were this species.

 

Young snakes have particularly bright undersides.

 

Note that all these snake are wary and flee if you get too close. (I have a long telephoto lens.)

 

The blue eye indicates that the snake is about to shed its old skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A small snake at the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A particularly dark one.

 

A particularly well hidden one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), also preparing to shed its skin.

 

Well camouflaged. I also saw an Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus) but failed to get a picture.

 

Hah! Snakes have to deal with Mosquitoes too, and no arms to swat them.