February 20th. Two pair of Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) at the small marsh near the Colchester Spur junction with the main trail...

 

...and two male Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

They soon took off towards the northeast and I decided to follow them, guessing correctly, I think,...

 

...that they were headed for Mint Brook Marsh east of Route 207. Twenty-three Ring-necks in this photo taken there. (In a poor photo I won't post, there were 28.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) there too (and three pair of Canada Geese, not photographed).

 

Way in the distance, what I think must be a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) perched by a Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).

 

 

 

 

 

February 22nd. A few of many Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

I took a short afternoon walk east of Cook Hill Road in Lebanon. The Rock Doves or Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia) were out atop the silo.

 

The cattle were out.

 

Looks like one of them leaned on the fence recently.

 

Several calves around being cute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus).

 

I saw a perched Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) too, but was too slow to get a photo.

 

 

 

 

 

The trail edges as you walk from Cook Hill Road to the cattle barn are supported by this marvelous garnet-filled rock.

 

Just west of Cook Hill Road, there's a nice patch of Scouring Rush (Equisetum hyemale).

 

The tissues are embedded with silica. In colonial days, it was used to scour pots.

 

Under bark, I found an overwintering female Carpenter Ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus or a related species).

 

In the woods near the trail, I spotted this wreck of a car. Best guess in a General Motors coupe from just before or after WWII.

 

Near it was a similar aged panel van.

 

Finally, a stop at Mink Brook Pond just east of Route 207 where the Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) were frolicking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 25th. Sixteen degrees and filtered sun.

 

 

 

 

 

I've taken lots of pictures of this tree over the years, but usually with snow on the branches...

 

...and even Charles Darwin resting under it.

 

Very few birds around. A single Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca).

 

 

 

 

 

A female Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus).