April 12th. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) near where the trail crosses Route 207.

 

April 13th. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at Cranberry Bog.

 

Unbeknownst to me at the time, an Osprey buzzed by a few feet above my head as I took this picture.

 

Momma Canadian Goose (Branta canadensis) hunkered down on her nest.

 

Dad on guard nearby.

 

I didn't check on ther other goose nest. Several male Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) around.

 

Mid afternoon at the pond east of Route 207. A single Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), and a pair of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris).

 

Next stop Grayville Park. Below the falls I found Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris) in bloom.

 

 

 

More flowers coming soon.

 

Trout-lily (Erythronium americanum) leaves are up but no sign of bloom stalks yet.

 

Ramps (Allium tricoccum) go by several other names: Leeks, Wild Onions, and more).

 

False Hellebore (Veratrum viride) is in the lily family. Superficially similar to Skunk Cabbage, notice the fan-folded leaves rather than Skunk Cabbage's branching veins.

 

Good water flow through Grayville Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 15th. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) hunkered down in the marsh.

 

 

 

One of the Pied-billed Grebes (Podilymbus podiceps). Another was calling from the Phragmites where it probably has a nest.

 

A few minutes later, the heron was back in the usual erect pose.

 

East of Route 207, it appears that a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) has claimed last year's nest.

 

 

 

 

 

An afternoon walk east from Depot Hill Road in Cobalt. Dandelion (Taraxicum officinale).

 

 

 

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), showing the leaves that give it its common name. Unusual for the leaves to be out so early. Typically, they come after the blooms.

 

Lots of it in the rock cut near a trailside ditch. No leaves here.

 

 

 

Gill-over-the-ground (Glechoma hederacea).

 

Nifty little ferns.

 

Yellow Rocket (Barbarea vulgaris) in bud.

 

 

 

Now in bud. Later the flowers will be in a yellow spike of 4-petals - typical of plants in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae).

 

A dead Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Probably caught out in our recent cold snaps.

 

This Bullfrog was very much alive and surrounded by tadpoles.

 

Looks like the tadpoles recently emerged from the nearby eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop, Cranberry Bog and the resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mamma Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) on her island nest.

 

The other Mamma Goose on her nest.

 

One of the Dads on guard duty.