May 9th. The pond east of River Road.

 

The Common Reed (Phragmites australis) is putting up this year's new green shoots.

 

An afternoon walk east of Depot Hill Road in Cobalt. One of the Speedwells (Veronica sp.).

 

 

 

"Spider Spit". No, it's froth deposited by a Spittlebug (Family Cercopidae, probably the Meadow Spittlebug Philaenus spumarius).

 

You can see the yellow back end of a nymph in the spittle - which protects the insect from predators, parasitoids, and dessication.

 

This may be a late instar nymph, still lacking the adult wings.

 

Common Chickweed (Stellaria media).

 

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum).

 

 

 

Definitely Geranium leaves.

 

Mock Orange (Philadelphus sp.), likely an escaped ornamental variety. A large patch of it set back from the trail on the south side.

 

 

 

Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) comes in purple...

 

...pink, and white.

 

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is starting to bloom.

 

THe inflorescense is made up of many small...

 

...flowers typical of the Pea Family. (Leguminosae).

 

Lots of Violets (Viola sp.) blooming in the wet rock cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferns too.

 

 

 

Lots of "Herps" including Bull Frog (Rana catesbeiana)...

 

 

 

...American Toad (Bufo americanus)...

 

...and Green Frogs (Rana clamitans).

 

 

 

 

 

English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata).

 

A Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) at Cranberry Bog.

 

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) family remains at the little pond west of Smith Street.

 

 

 

 

 

My how the goslings have grown!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 12th. The usual Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

Pink Azalea or Pinxter-flower (Rhododendron nudiflorum) in bud.