May 9th. Everything is so green!

 

Pink Azalea or Pinxter-flower (Rhododendron nudiflorm) is in bud.

 

 

 

One Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) on each of the first two nests at the pond east of Route 207.

 

Hard to tell, but there was another Heron at the nest across the pond further east.

 

Finally, one Heron out in the middle of the pond.

 

May 10th. Well, something I've never seen on the trail before. Found at the Route 85 parking lot where I left it untouched. I'm used to finding empty beer cans, liqueur bottles, and shot singles, but this was a first. Hopefully, not a trend.

 

Recall this picture of Pink Lady's-slipper orchids from May 7th?

 

This is all that's left of them. Picked by a human or eaten by wildlife? Either way, what a shame.

 

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

 

 

 

Continued activity by the Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) at the wood duck house.

 

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis).

 

A male Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula).

 

 

 

 

 

Hah!

 

 

 

 

 

Hah, hah!

 

Veery (Catharus fuscescens).

 

May 11th. The same Veery (Catharus fuscescens) in the same spot a day later.

 

Pink Lady's-slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) near where the others disappeared.

 

A female Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus).

 

 

 

Several male Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) interacting.

 

 

 

 

 

A female on the ground had found a bit of fluff....

 

...and taken it away, perhaps as nest lining? (Note: I haven't seen a nest yet.)

 

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is shooting up.

 

Buttercups (Ranunculus sp.).

 

Pink Azalea or Pinxter-flower (Rhododendron nudiflorm) flowers are opening.

 

 

 

Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon).

 

They're generally very shy. After this picture, I shifted my position a bit and it was gone.