June 6th. The resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at Cranberry Bog. Note the stub of tongue sticking out of its throat. An old wound.

 

The group of seven goslings that first hatched, followed by their parents. Note how the goslings are getting adult coloration.

 

The other Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) family with 5 goslings born several weeks later.

 

The two families hanging out together.

 

 

 

 

 

Great Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa).

 

 

 

 

 

Fragrant Water-lily (Nymphaea odorata) at the pond east of Route 207.

 

Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum).

 

Blue Toadflax (Nuttallanthus canadensis).

 

June 7th. It's been a great year for Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sp.) in the Iris family, Iridaceae.

 

A nice patch of it opposite Juliano Pools.

 

Cow or Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca).

 

 

 

 

 

No Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) at the box where they've had a nest. On my second time past the box today, a female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) flew out. I sure hope the swallows had fledged.

 

Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) taking a dust bath. (Thanks Russ, for the ID.)

 

Dust baths help maintain the optimum level of oil on the feathers.

 

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) in breeding plumage.

 

June 8th. One of three young female Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) near the beaver dam.

 

Two of the three. The third hid.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) on a wood duck box...

 

...grooming.

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite photo from this morning's Ride the East CT cycling event from Willimantic to East Hampton. See all my pictures of the event - and download free any you want here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72177720317735494

 

A small Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) that I urged to move off the trail. The blocky pattern on the back of its shell looks like a shoe tread.

 

 

 

June 9th. Wild Garlic (Allium canadense) just starting to bloom.

 

 

 

Pasture or Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina). The berries behind it are of Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii). The serrated leaves are of the rose.

 

More evidence that the Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have fledged. They wouldn't have tolerated this Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) atop their nest site.

 

 

 

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula).

 

June 10th. Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) at the Route 85 trailhead.

 

It gets its common name from the more or less question mark shaped silver markings on the underside of the hindwings.

 

Mating muscoid flies. Male eyes close together at the top of the head. Female eyes have a gap between them.

 

Painted Turtle (Chrysomys picta).

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) flew in squaking loudly before perching and grooming.

 

Check out those feet!