Along the Air Line...

Spring 2007, Part 6

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex).

Mustard (Brassica sp.).

Possibly Early Blue Violet (Viola palmata).

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum).

May 25th: Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus).

Some progress on the Oriole nest, but still thin enough to see blue sky through it. (Click here and scroll down to see earlier pictures.)

The female Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) which hatched on May 21st has finally attracted a mate. The male is on the right with smaller abdomen and larger antennae. (Click here to view the entire life cycle.)

The male's antennae are huge and packed with pheremone detectors to help locate females.

May 27th. The Cecropia female laid some eggs on cherry twigs and leaves before flying off at about 5:00 this morning. I was impressed by how strong and fast a flier it was, given the heavy weight of eggs it still carried.

Another moth hatched yesterday from a cocoon found along the trail. This is a female Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea), little more than half the size of the Cecropia moth above.

May 28th, Memorial Day. Cormorants have to dry their wings in the sun since they lack the coating of oil carried by most waterfowl.

Slender Blue Flag Iris (Iris prismatica).

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea).

The Oriole nest is occupied now. A blue plastic ribbon adds a festive touch.

May 30th. A pair of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedorum) are nesting...

...in the same tree as a pair of Yellow Warblers (Dendroica petechia).

Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) are nearby.

Still incubating her eggs, a Canada Goose closes here eyes for a brief rest...

...while her mate forages some distance away.

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) was quickly gobbled up.

Elsewhere, a Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) gathers minerals from the trail's surface.

Yellow Hawkweed (Hieracium caespitosum).

May 31st. Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are laying eggs.