August 19th. A male Common Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) at Cranberry Bog.

 

The resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius)...

 

...not far from this female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and a duckling.

 

Feasting on Duckweed (Lemna minor).

 

Next stop the pond east of River Road and the two Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) that often hang out on these logs.

 

Plenty of Common Pondhawks (Erythemis simplicicollis) hanging out there too.

 

The resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

It was dipping and drinking, something I've seen these birds do after eating something. Helping to wash it down?

 

 

 

Drinking again.

 

 

 

Lamp shade? ;-)

 

 

 

Drinking one more time.

 

The young Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) that hang out at that pond.

 

August 20th. The first Great Egret (Anas alba) I've seen at the pond east of River Road.

 

 

 

The egret would be hidden behind the vegetation and periodically show itself again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Bue Heron (Ardea herodius) "steppin' out".

 

 

 

Note the young Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) at the left...

 

...and now on the right.

 

A Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) on the surface of its paper nest.

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of activity at the nest which was only inches off the ground, rather than suspended from a tree branch above.

 

 

 

See how close it is to the trail surface.

 

A Fishing Spider, most likely Dolomedes vittatus)...

 

...watching over her ball of newly hatched spiderlings.

 

Once again, the two resident Painted Turtles.

 

August 21st. A young Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

Just east of Route 207, White Wood Asters (Aster divaricatus) are blooming.

 

A female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) at the pond just east of River Road.

 

On a cool morning (51 degrees) very little activity at the White-Faced Hornet nest.

 

No egret or heron at Cranberry Bog, but the young Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) were still around.

 

The pony across Smith Street from Cranberry Bog.

 

August 22nd. The Great Egret (Ardea alba) at the pond east of River Road again...

 

...as well as the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).

 

East of Depot Hill Road in Cobalt, an Ailanthus Webworm moth (Atteva aurea).

 

A Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) showing the yellow face and curly-tipped antennae typical of males.

 

Another male, this one with more yellow banding on the abdomen.

 

Two-spotted Scoliid Wasp (Scolia dubia).

 

Hedge Bindweed (Convolvulus sepium) with a boarder deep inside.

 

Pretty sure it's a Halicted Sweat Bee (Augochloropsis metallica).

 

A male Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina) on Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana).

 

 

 

Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis).

 

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) on Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

 

August 23rd. Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) far across the marsh.

 

 

 

A bit later, it seemed annoyed at a Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) trying to land on the branch below it.