June 22nd. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at the marsh, along with Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata) just starting to bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Route 207 crossing, Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is in full bloom. I saw a hummingbird visit it.

 

 

 

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) just opening, pollen not quite available yet.

 

 

 

First bits of pollen visible at the stamen tips.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at the pond just east of Route 207.

 

 

 

It flew a bit and landed a bit deeper than it seemed to like.

 

 

 

Nope, didn't like that spot and flapped a bit to get to a shallower spot.

 

 

 

Yeah, that will do.

 

A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and one gosling.

 

The tiny flowers in the background are of Watershield which with their smallish lily pads are Brasenia schreberi.

 

June 23rd. Mid-afternoon. Despite showers, work was going on in the pit at Old Colchester Road.

 

A foot or more of dirt has been removed around the footings...

 

...and some of it is being replaced with gravel.

 

 

 

June 24th. Two (young?) male Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) atop a Wood Duck house.

 

Quite a large young Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

Six Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).

 

Fruits of Limber Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica). I saw the flowers in the Spring but failed to get a decent picture.

 

About the only difference at the Old Colchester Road project this morning was delivery of a lot of gravel.

 

June 25th. Two "teenage" Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) and a Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).

 

An adult male Wood Duck in "eclipse" plumage (note the red eye) along with a teen and the turtle.

 

HURRAY!!! Someone finally filled the sinkholes down towards Old Colchester Road.

 

 

 

Timothy Grass (Phleum pratense) in bloom. Look at all that pollen!

 

Bumble Bees (Family Bombidae) lovin' the Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta sp.).

 

June 26th. Three Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) laying eggs. One...

 

...Two...

 

...Three.

 

A distant Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).

 

Momma Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) and three ducklings at the teeny pond down towards Old Colchester Road.

 

 

 

The sinkhole I was so pleased to see filled in yesterday... is sinking again.

 

Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morowii) pairs of berries are ripening.

 

Now that's a tall Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus).

 

Cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare).

 

Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum).

 

Back mid-adternoon. No changes at Old Colchester Road. And none coming over the weekend ahead, I'm sure.

 

 

 

Deptford Pinks (Dianthus armeria).

 

 

 

Round-leaved Pyrola (Pyrola rotundifolia).

 

 

 

A male Root Maggot Fly (Family Anthomyiidae; Anthomyia oculifera). (Male because the eyes meet at the top of the head.)