March 28th. A short trip on the Hibbert Property open space trails under development adjacent to the Air Line Trail.

 

The property lies between Old Colchester Road and Grayville Road. Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail runs close to Raymond Brook in several places.

 

 

 

Daffodils coming up from what was probably an old household garden.

 

March 29th. Just a nifty tree far across the marsh.

 

Leaves developing on Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus).

 

In mid-afternoon, a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) showed up.

 

Hunting.

 

No luck.

 

Then a lot of hopping from spot to spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's a lot of wing area!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminds me of beetles folding their hind wings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2nd. A male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris).

 

 

 

Eight more following the leader, including one female.

 

 

 

Eighteen of the ninteen ducks I counted.

 

Ornamental Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) at the Route 85 parking lot.

 

 

 

Female Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) on its nest at Cranberry Bog.

 

As I watched from near the nest, the male came from far across the pond to keep an eye on me.

 

The nest is about 1/4 way to the left from the right edge of the island where geese have nested for many years.

 

The male picked a spot where he could see the female and me.

 

The female spent some time reaching for dried leaves and bringing them into the nest then tucking them under herself.

 

I was hoping to see an egg or two but no luck.

 

She settled down with her wings partly spread, warming eggs below?

 

A female Midge (Family Chironomidae) on my truck's door handle. (Note: they're harmless.)