September 3rd. Not much happening at Raymond Brook Marsh. Just this Green Heron (Butorides virescens)...

 

... and this male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

A short afternoon walk east of Cook Hill Road.

 

 

 

Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum).

 

A muddy Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) at the exit stream from the marsh.

 

Ripples in the stream after the turtle plopped in.

 

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) beginning to show fall color.

 

September 4th. Fog quickly giving way to sun.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius), as usual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) blooming on second growth after being mowed.

 

Only about 5 inches tall.

 

Just a couple of Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris) still blooming.

 

 

 

Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) caterpillar.

 

Their hairs can cause a rash on sensitive skin. Best not to pick them up.

 

Optical illusion? ...

 

.Ha! Two horses.

 

 

 

September 5th. White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on the south side of Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A young deer nearby.

 

The Great Egret (Ardea alba) arrived as I walked east of River Road.

 

Just one Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)... and no Wood Ducks.

 

 

 

 

 

September 6th. Dense morning haze.

 

 

 

Male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at the marsh near the Colchester Spur junction.

 

A very vocal Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) just west of the train mural.