October 25th.Starting from this park on Middle Haddam Road in Portland...

 

...I followed a feeder trail west towards the main Air Line trail.

 

 

 

 

 

Near the main trail junction, I found this shelter and small pollinator garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the main trail.

 

Looking west, the feeder trail I came up is at the left.

 

For much of the way west, the trail parallels the power lines.

 

 

 

A group of ATV riders came up a side trail. So much for no motorized vehicles on the trail.

 

Camp Ingersoll abuts the trail on the south side.

 

 

 

The trail dwindles to the narrow path and soon ends at a boulder barrier while a wider trail heads sharply downhill at the left.

 

The boulders at the end of the line.

 

This Chicory (Cichorium intybus) flower was a nice late season surprise.

 

Queen-Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) seedhead.

 

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) showing berry-like cones.

 

 

 

Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum).

 

A female Oblong-winged Katydid (Amblycorypha oblongifolia).

 

 

 

 

 

At Breezy Corners Rd on my way back east, I took a right, then another right onto Middle Haddam Rd, and a third right into the trailhead parking area.

 

October 26th. The mixed flock of Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula)...

 

...and calling Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are still at the marsh in the mornings.

 

 

 

 

 

When they go, I won't see them again until mid-February. I'll miss their calls.

 

A brief stop at the pond just east of River Road.

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) soaking up the sun at 70 degrees plus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 28th. Lots of Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) around again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) around but most of my photos were terminally backlit.