Along the Air Line...

Spring 2007, Part 4

May 5th. Marsh Marigold or Cowslip (Caltha palustris).

Sessile Bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia).

Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum).

Serviceberry or Shadbush (Amelanchier arborea).

Wood Anenome (Anenome quinquefolia) is completely open now.

Dandelion (Taraxicum officinale). The common name is a corruption of the French for "tooth of the lion", referring to the shape of bracts underneath the flower as I recall..

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is leafing out. At this stage, these inconspicuous leaves shine with the oil that gives us a severe rash.

Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) buds have opened.

A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) have taken up residence on the active beaver lodge. Another pair may be nestingh atop an abandoned lodge elsewhere in the marsh.

A silken nest protects Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma sp.) from predators like this Carpenter Ant (Campanotus sp.).

Look close and you can see the larvae under the silk.

May 6th. The larvae are larger and outside the silk today.

Scores of larvae are chewing up the cherry leaves, a branch at a time.

Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were working near the surface of the marsh.

Break time!

May 8th. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) in the channel.

A beaver (Castor canadensis) grooming on the lodge.

May 9th. Canada Goose in reflection of flowering tree, East Hampton.

May 10th. In Raymond Brook Marsh, a female Canada Goose is incubating eggs on an abandoned beaver lodge...

...while her banded mate patrols nearby.

Three deer crossed the trail near Old Colchester Road.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius).

May 12th. Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) have returned in time to feed on tent caterpillars and other insects.

Male American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis).

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis).

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus).

Oak leaves are expanding (Quercus sp.).

May 15th. Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) flowers are fully out now.

May 16th. Yellow Pond Lily (Nuphar lutea).