May 6th. Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) at Cranberry Bog. The second family, with very young goslings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:-)

 

The first Goose family was up by the corner of Smith Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 7th. Pink Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) have "colored up".

 

 

 

Note the round pale yellow "Pollinia" - pollen balls that are transferred in total to insect pollinators.

 

 

 

Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) is blooming.

 

It also comes in pink.

 

Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicailis).

 

Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) atop the wood duck house where they're nesting.

 

East of Route 207, six Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodius), three at each of the first two nests at the pond.

 

What's going on?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, the single Heron at the nest a bit further east. So, seven Great Blue Herons in total this morning.

 

May 8th. Limber Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica).

 

 

 

 

 

The pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) that I often see at the pond east of Route 207.

 

A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at the far border of the pond. Not sure how or if it relates to any of the three nearby nests.

 

Just one bird each on the two nests at the western end of the pond. (I couldn't make out a bird on the other nest.)

 

Another bird arrived at the nest on the right and nest improvements commenced.

 

 

 

A fourth bird arrived and...

 

...landed below the bird at the left.

 

So, a total of four birds in this view.

 

A few more pics of the two birds working on the nest at the right.

 

 

 

 

 

Enough of the birds! Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) has started blooming.