April 28th. An Osprey (Pandion halaetus) at the far end of the pond east of Route 207.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) sitting on the nest.

 

A second Heron flew in and perched just above the first one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a short flight, the second bird perched nearby...

 

 

 

...just to the right of the nest...

 

...then flew off again and came back with a stick in its beak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to the nest to deliver the stick...

 

...to see it added to the nest.

 

 

 

 

 

April 29th. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) on the nest east of Route 207, as usual.

 

Pat Stanulonis told me about two more heron nests at that pond, roughly across from the bench. I found one of them.

 

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum).

 

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) a common invasive.

 

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is leafing out from the ground...

 

...and climbing up tree trunks.

 

An afternoon stop at Cranberry Bog. Crab Apple (Malus coronaria).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) in breeding plumage. First I've ever seen.

 

Up close, it looks like it captured a Water Scorpion (Family Nepidae, probably Ranatra fusca).

 

Read more about Solitary Sandpipers here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Solitary_Sandpiper

 

A Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) passing by the Sandpiper.

 

Hmm, the Canada Goose nest was empty.

 

Ah, Mom and Dad were over by the picnic table.

 

Gradually, five goslings wandered out. (Just four in this photo.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw one of the other Goose parents far away past the garden plots. Guessing there were goslings there too.

 

Pony across Smith Street.

 

April 30th. Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) buds will open soon.

 

Buds showing on the Pink Lady's Slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule).

 

Mom just sitting on the first Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) nest east of Route 207.

 

A second brooding Mom at the nest across the pond from the bench.