May 23rd. Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oak Wool Sower Galls made by a cynipid wasp (Callirhytis seminator).

 

 

 

Assassin Bug (Zelus luridus).

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) stalking something...

 

...that got away.

 

Rarely, a whirlpool forms near a submerged, clogged culvert.

 

Fallen Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowi) blossoms caught in the swirl.

 

 

 

 

 

Robin Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus).

 

 

 

Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare. I learned it 55 years ago as Chrysanthemum leucanthemum).

 

Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 24th. Probably a Simple Wave moth (Scopula junctaria).

 

A stop near the pond along River Road. Evening Lychnis (Silene latifolia).

 

Note the Thrips (Order Thysanoptera) on the lower right petal. An oddity of language: "Thrips" is both singular and plural: one thrips, two thrips.

 

 

 

Dame's-rocket (Hesperis matronalis).

 

It also comes in white or purple.

 

A Harvestman or Daddy Longlegs (In the Arachnid order Opiliones, perhaps Phalangium opilio).

 

Two eyes on the little dark turret towards the front. Missing one of its legs. Note the silk "dragline" extending from the leg at the upper left.

 

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).

 

Inflorescense made up of many small flowers typical of plants in the pea family, Fabaceae.

 

 

 

May 25th. The first (and only) Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillar I've seen this year.

 

 

 

These look like mature female Eastern Forktail damselflies (Ischnura verticalis)...

 

...which start out orange but develop this pruinose blue-gray color over time.

 

A very common species with a long flight period.

 

A male Fragile Forktail damselfly (Ischnura posita).

 

Green "eye spots" and thoracic markings for males...

 

...while in the female the markings are blue.

 

The usual Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

 

 

Common Musk Turtle or "Stinkpot" (Sternothaerus odoratus).

 

Pointy head with yellow stripes are the best field identification characters.

 

A short afternoon walk east of Cook Hill Road. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just starting to bloom, I think this is an "alien" Hawkweed, King Devil (Hieracium pratense).