May 28th. The resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at Cranberry Bog. Note the stub of damaged tongue sticking out of its throat. The injury happened 3 or 4 years ago.

 

A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). No sign of duckings.

 

Interesting expression.

 

 

 

 

 

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) with some of the maturing first family of goslings.

 

Goslings of the second Canada Goose family have crossed Smith Street to feed on Duckweed (Lemna minor).

 

May 30th.A midday walk at Raymoind Brook Marsh. A Flower Fly (Family Syrphidae, probably Eristalis dimidiata).

 

As in many flies, males like this one have eyes that meet at the top of the head.

 

The same fly, now resting on Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just one Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) today.

 

I'd missed the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) pair at the nest box for several days, but they were back today. The female...

 

...and the much bluer male.

 

 

 

A turtle half swimming, half walking in a large puddle left on the trail after last night's heavy rain.

 

It's a Musk Turtle or "Stinkpot" (Sternothaerus odoratus).

 

Note the leach on its shell.

 

In this view you can see the pointy head with thin yellow stripes.

 

Hop Clover (Trifolium agrarium).

 

 

 

Yarrow (Achillea millifolium).

 

Cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare).

 

Some of the Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is blooming now...

 

...though the flowers are inconspicuous.

 

 

 

Ox-eye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare).

 

The first of two female Blue Dasher dragonflies (Pachydiplax longipennis).

 

The other one. Both recently molted to the adult form, their wings not fully hardened.

 

May 31st. A distant White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

 

 

 

And another deer nearby the first.

 

 

 

Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) butterfly.

 

Further north, this subspecies is replaced by the White Admiral (L. arthemis arthemis) with broad white bands on the wings.

 

June 1st. A male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)...

 

...starting to molt.

 

Two immature female Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus).

 

 

 

Just one Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) this morning.

 

Just one White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) this morning. Looks like the second one from yesterday.