September 19th. Saturday. All buttoned up for the weekend with rain expected tomorrow.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at Norton's Pond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some sort of blue aster-like flower but I haven't been able to definitively ID it.

 

 

 

September 21st. A young Sassafras (Sassafras albidum).

 

A walk at Cobalt where I saw (and killed) a number of adult Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula).

 

No sign of egg masses, but I'm sure they're around.

 

The were resting on Ailanthus Trees.

 

Lots of Crested Late Summer Mint (Elisoltzia ciliata). First time I've ever seen it.

 

 

 

 

 

The one sided inflorescence is definitive.

 

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is still blooming.

 

Another Spotted Lanternfly beside a Harvestman or "Daddy Longlegs" (Order Opilones).

 

Red-leg Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum).

 

Carolina grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina).

 

White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima).

 

Second flowering of Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) after being mowed awhile back.

 

Pasture Thistle (Cirsium pumilum).

 

Bumble Bees (Family Bombidae) gathering thistle pollen.

 

 

 

A Spotted Lanternfly I killed, showing the brightly colored hind wings.

 

Next stop, Norton's Pond. Seven Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).

 

Better view of all seven turtles.

 

A single turtle nearby.

 

The usual Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

 

Four Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). It's been awhile since I've seen any.

 

Another Painted Turtle...

 

...and three more.

 

Now eight at the original spot.

 

Not much happening today at Old Colchester Road. They were moving rebar from place to place.