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.

 

May 12th. A female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) with seven ducklings that I could see.

 

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) having a territorial skirmish.

 

 

 

 

 

One pair was forced down to the far end of the marsh.

 

At the pond east of Route 207, no bird visible on the first nest (though one might be hunkered down), and two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodius) on the second nest which may not yet be complete.

 

The second nest.

 

A bird on the third nest further east, as usual.

 

A brief afternoon stop at Cranberry Bog. Adult Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) and two goslings.

 

Another adult nearby but I saw no other goslings. There were two more adults across Smith Street but in tall grass no chance to see goslings.

 

Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) at the east end of the pond.

 

Fancy ducks at the barnyard east of the pond.

 

A domestic Goose there too.

 

Pony at the barnyard across Smith Street.