May 8th. Nice to see a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) back at the marsh.

 

A warm morning brought out the first Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) of the year...

 

...a couple of "Stinkpot" Musk Turtles (Sternothaerus odoratus) and this small Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina).

 

 

 

I heard Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) calling too. A good morning for "herps".

 

Flowers of Pink Lady's-slipper Orchids (Cypripedium acaule) are starting to show color.

 

Next stop Cook Hill Road in Lebanon. Spring-beauties (Claytonia virginica) are still blooming.

 

 

 

 

 

A random Inchworm caterpillar (Family Geometridae).

 

Lots of Common Buttercups (Ranunculus acris).

 

 

 

On to the farm.

 

Most of the cattle were out in the big field.

 

Surprise! Three of four Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) crossed the field.

 

 

 

At the marsh's outlet stream...

 

...which flows under this bridge.

 

Lots of Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) blooming now.

 

Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense).

 

A very vocal Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) amid last year's cattails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 9th. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quisccula) above a pair of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), probably the one I've seen on several recent days.

 

 

 

A male Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia).

 

A male Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) with the start of a nest behind it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

False Solomon's-seal (Smilacina racemosa) is in bud.

 

In this species, the flowers are clustered at the tip, not paired below the leaves.

 

A Cherry (Prunus sp.) of some sort I think.

 

Limber Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica).

 

A Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), I think.

 

 

 

Hooked Buttercup or Hooked Crowfoot (Ranunculus recurvatus).

 

Three spiders; two red males with large black pedipalps, and a pale female.

 

 

 

Briefly back out to Cook Hill Road in the afternoon.

 

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis).

 

May 10th. A female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) on the beaver dam.

 

Flowers of Pink Lady's-slipper Orchids (Cypripedium acaule) still have a few days until they achieve full color and development.