Along the Air Line...

Spring 2007, Part 10

June 13th. Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria) in shade.

Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus).

Beardtongue (Penstemon sp.)

Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar). Note the blue tubercles at the head end, followed by red over the rest of the dorsum.

Orange-patched Smoky Moth (Pyromorpha dimidiata).

Nymphalid butterfly chrysalis, but which species?

On June 23rd, the butterfly was ready to emerge: the abdomen distended and the wing color visible through the chrysalis skin.

Later in the day, a Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vau-album) emerged.

The underside resembles a dead leaf.

June 14th. Female or young Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) perch on lilypads to feed on bugs.

The resident Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) caught a breakfast perch.

Down the hatch.

June 15th. Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria) in sun.

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma).

June 17th. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus).

Baltimore Oriole chicks seem about ready to fledge. I see three plus an adult female in this poor photo.

June 18th. Only one Baltimore Oriole chick is yet to fledge. Today for sure.

A sibling that fledged yesterday calls for food from a nearby tree.

June 19th. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).

Fragrant Water-lily (Nymphaea adorata).

White Clover (Trifolium repens).

Hop Clover (Trifolium agragium).

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata).

June 20th. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).

Pasture or Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina).

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetraophthalmus).

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).

American Carrion Beetle (Silpha americana).