May 1st (continued). An afternoon stop at Cranberry Bog to see the goslings.

 

 

 

 

 

Gill-over-the-ground (Glechoma hederacea) has many other names. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glechoma_hederacea

 

Further east, I found the Barred Owl (Strix varia) buch closer to me and got some far better pictures than this morning (previous page).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2nd. Sweet Crab Apple (Malus coronaria).

 

 

 

 

 

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis). Sorry for the maple branch in front of its face.

 

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) polynoses.

 

There's a stinky dead animal beside the trail not far from the Colchester Spur junction. Discovered by this Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura).

 

 

 

 

 

Back at Raymond Brook Marsh mid-afternoon. The pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) out near the trail.

 

 

 

A perfect Dandelion (Taraxicum officinale) seed head.

 

 

 

At the pond just east of River Road, an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) chowing down on a fish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 3rd. Male Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) atop the wood duck box; the female peering out the door.

 

An afternoon walk east from Depot Hill Road in Cobalt. Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea).

 

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) on Dandelion (Taxaxacum officinale).

 

 

 

Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina).

 

Striking bright blue and black upper forewings.

 

A white female Sulphur butterfly. White form of the Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) and Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) are difficult to tell apart.

 

Clouds over the distant trees dull their colors, but note how green all the trees are.

 

The clouds moved away.

 

 

 

Green Frog (Rana clamitans) in a trailside ditch.

 

This may be a Green Frog too.

 

At Cranberry Bog, the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) family is back at the pond west of Smith Street.

 

 

 

All seven goslings still doing fine.

 

May 4th. The usual pair of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) with the female peeking out of the box.

 

A third bird flying close. Not sure what that's about.

 

East of Route 207, a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) on the nest above the beaver lodge.

 

 

 

Lots of Bullhead-lilies (Nuphar variegatum).

 

Finally, at Cranberry Bog the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) couple and all seven goslings resting near the tree.