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Female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

The young male White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with antlers in velvet that I've seen lately...

 

...and a female feeding right on the trail!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).

 

Life Star. Somebody having a very bad day.

 

A very worn Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus).

 

 

 

A brief stop at the pond east of River Road. Fragrant Water-lily (Nymphaea odorata).

 

A great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) flew by. An Otter swam by but was obscured by tall grass so no chance of a photo.

 

More Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) of various ages. Note the Bullhead Lily (Nuphar vareigatum) flower stalks, most minus their flowers. This is the work of Beavers (Castor canadensis) which eat the flowers like lollypops.

 

A female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) swam by, quite close.

 

 

 

July 28th. The only stem of Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) left blooming at Raymond Brook Marsh - and in a vulnerable spot.

 

The usual Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) easily balanced on one leg.

 

Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)...

 

...munching on a blade of grass.

 

Check out the venation in its ears. Interesting that the pattern of the two ears isn't symmetrical. Hmm, comparing with the other pictures, it looks like the veins facing the sun are expanded... for thermoregulation?

 

Looks like the same two Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) I photographed yesterday (see above); they've just swapped spots.

 

Large-bracted Plantain (Plantago aristata).

 

 

 

Emetic Russula (Russula emetica or similar Russula species).

 

Check out the eyes of this Deer Fly (Chrysops sp.).

 

 

 

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma).

 

July 29th. Heavy rain last night and steady rain all morning before an afternoon walk at the pond east of River Road. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at the pond's exit beaver dam.

 

 

 

American Beaver (Castor canadensis). Note how much of the body and tail are under water as it swims.

 

 

 

Nostrils, eyes, and ears set near the top of the head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes easier going under the surface.

 

Next a short walk at Raymond Brook Marsh. Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).

 

 

 

I saw four or five Northern Water Snakes (Nerodia sipedon).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) poses more danger than the snakes which are very shy.

 

A "teenage" male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), starting to show adult markings.

 

A young Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus).

 

 

 

A rare Beaver sighting.

 

Slap, splash, and it was gone.

 

Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) nest found torn apart and on the ground.

 

July 30th. Northern Flatid Planthopper (Anormenis chloris).