December 17th. Fifty degrees! Lots of Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) activity...

 

...including some out of season attempted nookie.

 

 

 

Wow, a male Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus).

 

 

 

 

 

The two Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) I've seen several times recently.

 

 

 

East of River Road, the trail surface has thawed into mud. Awful surfacing material@ It ought to be replaced with stone dust.

 

Nice to see these Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) on ther pond.

 

 

 

 

 

Back at my truck, I saw this Barklouse (Order Psocodea) on the white door.

 

A short walk on the trail west and east of the Brownstone Bridge. This is the only Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) I know of on the trail, but it is in very bad shape. It should be all green through the winter. I'm betting it was a victim of the summer/fall drought.

 

Still, flower buds on the few remaining green branches.

 

The Blackledge River Bridge.

 

 

 

Below the bridge, a horse takes a drink.

 

December 19th. Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) take flight from Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

December 20th. A cool cloudy morning; the last day of Fall. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) screened by the Common Reeds (Phragmites australis).

 

Afternoon and overnight snow coming. Tomorrow, Winter starts with bitter cold.