May 19th. A very hot day ahead. American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis).

 

One Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at the marsh.

 

A young adult Northern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor constrictor). I saw two of them today.

 

Note the Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) leaves.

 

 

 

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus).

 

 

 

At Old Colchester Road, removing the dirt bags they had placed late last week.

 

Back out in the afternoon. All the bags are removed. and there's a layer of rock against the barrier steel.

 

A lot of the clean large rocks are gone.

 

The bags are neatly ordered, perhaps for further duty. (Nobody around to ask.)

 

Lots of Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) across River Road from Norton's Pond.

 

 

 

Looks like a metallic green Cuckoo Wasp (Chrysis sp.).

 

At Cranberry Bog, the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) family sheltering from the heat (90+ degrees) in shade from a tree.

 

 

 

Then the headed for the water...

 

...for a drink...

 

...a paddle...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and a nibble of the grass right beside the trail. (Note: Don't get too close; the adults will defend the family.)

 

 

 

May 20th. At Old Colchester Road, the workers left the plan for the bridge open, visible from across the tape barrier. I don't know how to interpret most of it, but some of you may find it interesting.

 

Lots of earth being removed this morning.

 

Nice healthy Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus).

 

May 21st. Pink Azalea or Pinxter-flower (Rhododendron nudiflorum) at the pond east of Route 207. Beaver lodge at the right.

 

One noisy Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) at that pond...

 

...and a family of the geese at the Rod and Gun Club across the trail.

 

 

 

More digging at Old Colchester Road. They need to reach bedrock to anchor the new bridge.

 

Looks like they uncovered a big chunk of concrete.

 

Cranberry Bog later in the afternoon. Geese, but goslings???

 

Ah, here are a couple.

 

Not always easy to spot them.

 

The goslings exercising their wings.

 

Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) in a trailside ditch.

 

 

 

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) with the damaged throat and tongue.