April 1st. A male Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) atop a Wood Duck house.

 

I wonder if a pair will try to move in.

 

 

 

A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) where I saw them yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hmm, I'm not sure of this duck's species.

 

The sky soon clouded over.

 

 

 

Afternoon, west of Grayville Road there have been some severe washouts.

 

 

 

 

 

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) is in bud.

 

Periwinkle (Vinca minor).

 

April 2nd. An afternoon walk near Grayville Falls. The linear pleated leaf venation makes this False Hellebore (Veratrum viride).

 

It's in the Lily Family (Liliaceae) but rarely blooms.

 

The clusters of flowers are green when it does bloom.

 

These are Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) leaves which have branching venation.

 

Ramps or Wild Leeks (Allium tricoccum) with a couple of Skunk Cabbage leaves among them. Flowers come later, after the leaves have withered.

 

Mottled leaves of Trout-lily (Erythronium americanum).

 

The first open Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) flower I've seen.

 

 

 

 

 

Common Chickweed (Stellaria media).

 

 

 

Grayville Falls was running pretty well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 3rd. Light rain and enough wind for waves at the pond east of Route 207. Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) heading into the wind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like the Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) have a nest.

 

 

 

At Cranberry Bog, Mamma Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) was keeping her eggs warm and dry. Dad was out in the open water.

 

The rest of the geese were at the far end of the pond. By this time the rain was getting heavier.

 

April 5th. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in their favorite communal resting spot between bursts of aerial bug hunting.

 

Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) amid Red Maple (Acer rubrum) blossoms.

 

 

 

A sample of the Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) at the pond east of Route 207.

 

 

 

Admirers.

 

Later, a stop at Cranberry Bog. Horses just west of Smith Street.

 

Nest duty for the female Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).

 

The protective male nearby.

 

Darn, she was up and turned around when I was elsewhere. Missed my chance to count eggs.

 

April 6th. A pair of Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis).

 

 

 

Female Buffleheads (Bucephalis albeola).

 

Lousy picture, but several male Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) around.