Along the Air Line...

Spring 2006, Part 2

April 15th. Back on the trail after a two-week absence. Coltsfoot in bloom.

Female Polistes wasps tusseling.

April 20th. Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive weed introduced from Europe.

Another introduced pest, the European Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris rapae) taking nectar from the garlic mustard.

A solitary bee sips nectar as well.

Trout lilies are in bloom. Not sure about the beetle; possibly a Cantharid?

Mourning Cloak butterflies (Nymphalis antiopa) overwinter as adults, coming out of hiding as soon as the weather is warm.

Grapevine Epimenis Moth (Psychomorpha epimenis).

Catch the light just right and you can see marvelous opalescent scales on the wings.

April 21st.

April 22nd. Earth Day.

April 25th. Grayville Falls roaring after three days of rain.

April 26th. Honking goose exhales fog on a frosty morning.

April 28th. Trillium fully in bloom now.