Along the Air Line...

Summer 2007, Part 7

August 24th. (Back from vacation.) Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus strumosus) and Cuckoo Bee (Family Halictidae).

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is one of the few things blooming now.

Black ducks (Anas rubripes) grooming their molting feathers; part of a group of nine that have been together all summer.

Other members of the group.

August 25th. Bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum).

Broad-leaved Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia).

Meadowsweet (Spiraea latifolia).

A Hawkweed (Hieracium sp.).

Seed head of Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota).

Male Polistes Wasp (Polistes sp.)

Males have a yellow face, curled antennae... and are incapable of stinging.

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens).

August 27th. Autumn-colored male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) looks on as Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) stalks breakfast.

September 1st. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius).

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus strumosus).

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris).

Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor); not a hawk at all but in the Goatsucker family (Caprimulgidae).

Seedheads of a Hawkweed (Hieracium sp.).

September 3rd. Wood Duck "drag races."

September 4th. Spider webs on a misty morning.

September 6th. Goldenrod (Solidago sp.).

A Bumble Bee (Bombus sp.) resting on Goldenrod.

Despite the dry weather, Goldenrod seems to be doing well.

Bottle Gentian (Gentiana clausa).

An orchid: Nodding Ladies-tresses (Spiranthes cernua).

Pretty, but easily overlooked.