April 30th. Common Strawberry (Fragraria virginiana).

 

Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta).

 

Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum) just west of Route 207.

 

 

 

Some Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) still flowering, even as the leaves expand.

 

A fully expanded leaf with the developing seed pod in front of it.

 

Concord Grape (Vitus sp.) leaves and flowers developing on vines covering the boulder at the Route 207 parking area.

 

At the pond east of Route 207, a single male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) was the only waterfowl I saw.

 

 

 

Bullhead-lily (Nuphar variegatum) blossoms ready to open.

 

What do you know, there's a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) nest high above the beaver lodge! (I saw the bird on the right fly up from the pond and land on the nest beside its mate.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtually the same picture; just a slighly different crop...

 

...and a vertical crop.

 

The first bird I saw left the nest to continue hunting for breakfast. Its mate makes some nest adjustments.

 

 

 

An afternoon stop at Cranberry Bog. The goose family is back on the east side of Smith Street. Still all 7 goslings okay.

 

They sure have grown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pooped. in more ways than one.

 

Eastern Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum) have emerged and started their webs. Not all the caterpillars inside the shelter as well as on the outside.

 

Lots of chewing already. Note, these picture were taken east of Cranberry Bog where I went on reports of an owl there. I saw pictures of it - a Barred Owl - but wasn't able to spot it myself.

 

A Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) covered in Duckweed (Lemna minor) at the little pond west of Smith Street.

 

May 1st. Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) climbing a tree, leafing out.

 

 

 

A large Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) with patches of fur on its neck andhead missing.

 

Hmm, I recall finding some clumps of hair near this spot a few days ago.

 

The Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) pair in control of the wood duck box again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

East of Route 207, three Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodius) on or near the nest.

 

Then one (who remained).

 

Then two.

 

 

 

This morning I found the Barred Owl (Strix varia) that I couldn't find yesterday.