October 1st. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at Cranberry Bog. Note the damaged tongue protruding from its throat. It was injured 3 or 4 years ago but seems unbothered by it.

 

From left to right, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) duckling, female, and molting(?) male.

 

Male and female.

 

 

 

Duckling is about full size but more slender than the female and with a lighter colored bill.

 

October 2nd. Looking east from the Route 85 parking area.

 

Mostly male Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) have started gathering at the marsh. They'll be around through most of the winter whenever there is open water.

 

The immature Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) was back. Last seen September 25th at the same spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis) at the Route 207 parking area.

 

The Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) at the pond east of River Road.

 

 

 

Foliage reflections on rippled water near the pond's exit dam.

 

Closer views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 3rd. A female Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa).

 

Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) still blooming.

 

Asiatic Bittersweet (Celastrius orbiculatus).

 

Five painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) at the pond east of River Road.

 

Four more.

 

There were two Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) at the pond today, though I could only get one in the frame at a time...

 

...and they were constantly diving and coming up in new spots.

 

Drying off and warming up after time underwater.

 

October 4th. A foggy morning with sun trying to peek through at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

Sun above Common Reed (Phragmites australis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again today there were two Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) at the pond east of River Road,

 

 

 

 

 

Head scratching by the bird on the right.

 

 

 

October 6th. Song Sparrow (Melosdpiza melodia) I think.

 

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

 

Three Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two juvenile Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis).

 

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe).

 

Four more Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) down towards Old Colchester Road.

 

Orb-weaver spider web covered in dew.

 

Some of the 54 Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) I saw at Cranberry Bog later in the morning.

 

Male and female.

 

Male, perched on a water-lily corm.