March 24th. Despite several inches of rain yesterday and through the night, the trail was mostly in good shape.

 

Naturally, water levels were very high.

 

Nifty sky as clouds moved out.

 

 

 

 

 

A patient, cooperative male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

 

He let me get pretty close.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the cold, Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were very active.

 

 

 

A single male Bufflehead (Bucephalus albeola).

 

An awful photo, but useful for the size comparison between a Mallard and a Bufflehead.

 

Three Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris). You can actually see the reddish "ring" collar on the necks of the males.

 

The metallic ring only shows in certain light.

 

 

 

Hmm, pretty sure I know what these are.

 

They look like Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus). This one a female I think. After taking this photo a half dozen more arrived and moved on to another tree where I couldn't get a photo.

 

Down towards Old Colchester Road, the trail was in rougher shape. Ice in the shallow spots, open water where it was deeper.

 

A male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) crossing the trail...

 

 

 

...followed by a female.

 

 

 

Patterns in overnight thin ice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 25th. Despite the cold, ornamental Daffodils at the Route 85 trailhead are starting to bloom.

 

A male Chironomid Midge (Family Chironomidae) resting on this one.

 

Males have feathery antennae.

 

At Cranberry Bog, a female Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is nesting on the "island"...

 

...where geese have nested for years.

 

Although I was pretty far away, the male came close to check me out.

 

 

 

Elsewhere, at least 25 more geese were sunning.

 

Two Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) flew in and I was lucky enough to get one in flight, preparing to land.

 

The two males hung out together.

 

 

 

 

 

One male grooming...

 

Wind made it difficult with feathers bent every which way. He had his clear third eyelid closed for protection.

 

March 26th. The three Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) were out on a windy morning...

 

...as was this male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)...

 

...and this pair of Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis). No sign of the Buffleheads.