July 11th. At Cranberry Bog, a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and a fraction of the 18 Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) living there.

 

The Great Blue Heron is the one with its damaged tongue protuding from its throat.

 

Of all the Canada Geese, only two sought the shade.

 

Sweet Peas (Lathrus odoratus).

 

 

 

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus).

 

July 12th. The first of five young Eastern Cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) spread along about a half mile of trail through the marsh.

 

Two.

 

Three.

 

Four.

 

Five.

 

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) I think.

 

 

 

A female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).

 

 

 

A young male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

July 13th.Early afternoon walking on the Colchester Spur. A Water Strider (Family Gerridae, probably Aquarius sp.).

 

Front and hind legs barely dimple the surface while the middle legs row it forward very quickly.

 

 

 

They feed on insects trapped on the water surface. This one has caught something but I can't tell what.

 

Yellow Loosestrife or Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris).

 

 

 

Cinnabar-red Chantarelles (Cantharellus cinnabarinus).

 

Rabbit's-foot Clover (Trifolium arvense).

 

July 19th. One of the usual young Eastern Cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus).

 

Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense) has developed its "ticks" or adhesive seeds that cling to clothing and skin as you brush by the plants.

 

American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) seeds are visibly developing now.

 

Two Northern Water Snakes (Nerodia sipedon).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) has started blooming.

 

 

 

Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis).

 

 

 

 

 

July 20th. There are two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) in this photo.

 

One...

 

...and two.

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

 

 

 

 

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana). More fruit than I've ever seen before.

 

Not ripe - they turn darker colored. I suspect eaten by birds before fully ripe.

 

One of the usual morning Eastern Cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus).