August 29th. At Cranberry Bog, the female Mallard (Anas platyrynchos), a duckling, and the resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

Duckling is growing but way behind what I'd expect this late in the year.

 

 

 

The Heron almost exactly where I've seen it many times lately.

 

Showing its damaged throat with pertruding stub of tongue.

 

One of several young Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) out and about.

 

Another passing by.

 

Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus) and Goldenrod (Solidago sp.).

 

Shiny black abdomen confirms this is a Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), not a Bumble Bee.

 

Adult females excavate 1/2" tunnels in wood where they provision cells with pollen for their young. I'd guess their tunnels are in the garden shed 2x4 beams nearby.

 

Their tarsal claws rip apart the Sweet Pea blossoms.

 

August 30th. The Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) was around.

 

Today I could see the rusty band on its breast, confirming it as a female.

 

A young Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) causing nifty reflections in the water.

 

 

 

The female Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona sp.) still has its web in front of the Route 85 bulletin board.

 

I disturbed it, trying (and failing) to get a photo of its dorsal markings.

 

But I did get to see the sheltered retreat is has at the top of the board.

 

September 2nd. Partly cloudy and cool. (A good day for yard work later.) I remember when this was all open water.

 

Rosette Lichjen (Physcia sp.).

 

Hmm, what's eating these leaves?

 

Ah, Sawfly larvae (Family Tenthredinidae), Similar to caterpillars, but with longer true legs, more prolegs, and a waxy bloom on the body. Oh, and often gregarious.

 

A male Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens).

 

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor). Very few birds heard or seen today.

 

A few Butter-and-Eggs (Linaria vulgaris) still blooming.

 

Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa).

 

 

 

September 3rd. A brisk 47 degrees! Better pictures of yesterday's Sawfly larva. You can see some of the waxy powder that rubbed off onto my palm, plus the prolegs on all the abdomenal segments.

 

 

 

Oak Apple Gall caused by a minute, stingless Cynipid Wasp (Amphibolips confluenta).

 

Rose hips on Carolina or Pasture Rose (Rosa carolina).

 

One of only two plants of Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) left on the trail. The rest have been shaded out by dense shrubs above them. Good spotting, Sue!

 

The seeds or "ticks" of Showy Tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense) break off onto our clothes and pets and are difficult to remove.

 

Indian Pipes (Monotropa uniflora) and leafy plants devoid of chrolophyll that take their nutrients from nearby plants.

 

This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) flew up from a spot adjacent to the trail where it was impossible to be seen through the intervening shrubs.

 

These young Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) were near where the Heron had been so you can see the obstacles to photography.

 

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at Cranberry Bog.

 

I wonder how it can see prey under that thick layer of Duckweed (Lemna minor).

 

Four Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) at the pond east of Rver Road.

 

September 4th. Brown-hooded Owlet caterpillar (Cucullia convexipennis).

 

By comparison, the moth is inconspicuous in shades of pale brown.

 

Bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum).

 

September 5th. A single branch of Burning Bush or Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus) is displaying Fall color.