April 28th. Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) taking a break on a cold and windy morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Cranberry Bog, the female Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) was keeping a low profile on the "island" nest...

 

...while I was within sight of her.

 

The male patrolled nearby.

 

A male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos).

 

No sign of a female. Perhaps out of sight on a nest.

 

Several other Canada Geese far from the mated pair.

 

 

 

 

 

April 30th. Bullhead-lilies (Nuphar variegatum) are starting to bloom.

 

Shadbush or Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea).

 

May 1st. As I started my walk west from Route 85, I spotted something that looked slightly wrong.

 

What from a distance looked like a fragment of oak leaf turned out to be an Oak Besma (Besma quercivoraria) moth. Pleased with myself for spotting it.

 

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is just starting to leaf out.

 

Ten or so Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) still around though not all paired up as they were a week or so ago.

 

This male had just come up from a dive.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) across the marsh.

 

New green growth of invasive Common Reed (Phragmites australis) coming up amid last year's stalks.

 

 

 

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata).

 

 

 

 

 

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

 

 

 

The black mark on its breast is an identifying feature.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)... and Poison Ivy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The red is developing Red Maple (Acer rubrum) seeds.

 

May 2nd. The whirlpool is back! Adjacent to the trail near a drowned culvert.

 

 

 

 

 

Ol' reliable Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Trillium (Trillium erecta).