June 21st, the first day of Summer. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puffed.

 

 

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). Young or a female?

 

Adult female (front) and three young Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa). Young male rear; two young females in the middle I think.

 

Just one Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) this morning.

 

 

 

No activity at this Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) nest. Abandoned early or young already fledged?

 

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).

 

Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) should be ripening soon.

 

 

 

Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris) up close.

 

 

 

Spotted Touch-me-not or Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis).

 

 

 

Poor-man's-pepper or Peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum). Oh, and an Aphid (Family Aphididae) on the stem.

 

I'm not sure if this is Raspberry or Blackberry or ...?. In any case Rubus sp. It turns out to be Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis).

 

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) is in bud. Let's hope it isn't weed-whacked like last year. There are only three plants of it on the whole trail as far as I know, and they're in a vulnerable spot near the Route 85 parking lot.

 

June 22nd. Immature Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).

 

June 23rd. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) has started blooming.

 

 

 

A young Eastern Cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus).

 

The first of two freshly eclosed female Blue Dasher dragonflies (Pachydiplax longipennis).

 

From their flight, I'm pretty sure their wings were not fully hardened.

 

June 25th. An immature Virginia Rail (Rallus limacola).

 

Sorry for the poor quality (high ISO, noisy) photos but the morning was cloudy and low light.

 

Learn about Virginia Rails here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Virginia_Rail/overview

 

As I recall, I've seen only one Virginia Rail at Raymond Brook Marsh and that was probably 15 years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum).

 

 

 

Black specks at the petal margins are diagnostic.

 

Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has started blooming.

 

 

 

 

 

An ornamental day-blooming primrose, Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) planted near the train mural behind Juliano Pools.

 

 

 

 

 

Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) will be opening soon.

 

Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis).

 

Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris).

 

Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria) still hanging in there.

 

Evening Lychnis (Lychnis alba) and a winged Aphid.

 

Wingless Aphid here.

 

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

 

The Oriole nest has been ripped apart. Other birds may use the nest materials.