October 6th. An immature female Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the white feathers atop the head in this view.

 

 

 

A male Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens).

 

Maybe a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)?

 

October 8th. Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are starting to come through on their way south.

 

 

 

Looks like a different immature female Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) from the one posted above.

 

The white rump is the key characteristic of this species.

 

 

 

Rising mist and fall colors at the pond east of River Road.

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) was mostly hidden in the reeds far away.

 

Afternoon at Cranberry Bog. The resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) with the damaged tongue.

 

October 9th. A mix of bare trees and fall colors at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

A little Stinkpot or Common Musk Turtle (Sternothaerus odoratus) missing an eye.

 

Foggy at the pond east of River Road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) are still on that pond.

 

A late morning walk east of Cook Hill Road. Goats penned out, but no other life in the barnyard.

 

 

 

Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium). It's in the same family, Solanaceae, as tomatos, peppers, and potatoes.

 

 

 

 

 

Jimsonweed's other common name is Purple Thorn-apple. Apt.

 

Open seed pod.

 

Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis).

 

Lots of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) hang out near the barns.

 

Walking east, I found some of the barnyard cattle chillin' near the harvested corn field. Oh good, they're not all gone.

 

Further east, passing the marsh.

 

Some Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculata) still blooming.

 

I turned back just past the power lines.

 

 

 

 

 

October 10th. Low bright sun on the little pond near the Colchester Spur turnoff.

 

Some of the Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) hanging out at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

The Brownstone Bridge over River Road.

 

The stones in the arch are numbered, presumably to assist on-site assembly of bridge "kits".

 

Stones 8, 9, and 10 in this photo.

 

 

 

 

 

October 11th. Thirty degrees. Lots of trees are nearly bare.

 

First touch of frost.

 

At the pond east of River Road, still good color... but no interesting birds this morning.