Along the Air Line... 2012 - Spring, Part 8
The Air Line Trail in Eastern Connecticut - Stan Malcolm Photos

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May 2nd.  Five remaining Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings at Cranberry Bog in East Hampton.  (Last week there were 12.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 3rd.  A cloudy afternoon walk east of Route 207.  My first Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) of the year; this one singing high in an Oak.

 

 

The Robin, Grackle, and Canada Goose nests were empty when I first walked past the marsh.  The Robin and Grackle nests remained empty, but while I was there, the geese returned.

 

 

Mom settled in...

 

 

...then shifted to do some nest maintenance.

 

 

I found a nest of stripped bark (I think of blackberry canes).  Not sure what made it.

 

 

Ferns have unfurled nicely.

 

 

May 4th.  Back east of Route 207.  A Painted Turtle shares the Canada Goose nest.  (The white eye signals that the goose has drawn its protective nictitating membrane or third eyelid across its eye.)

 

 

A male Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia).  Lots of them around now.

 

 

 

 

 

A Green Frog (Rana clamitans) in a ditch just west of Route 207.

 

 

 

 

 

Forked Fungus Beetles (Bolitotherus cornutus) have become active.

 

 

Back in Raymond Brook Marsh, Canada Geese were also resting with their nictitating membranes across their eyes.  (Humans have the vestiges of this third eyelid, visible at the inner corner of their eyes.)

 

 

This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) was on the prowl for dinner.

 

 

Also prowling was this young Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon).

 

 

Limber or Glaucous Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica) is starting to bloom...

 

 

...as is Fleabane (Erigeron sp.).

 

 

Pink Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) are showing buds.

 

 

They should color up in a week or so, and be fully mature in two weeks.

 

 

A Mustard, possibly the widespread weed Charlock (Brassica kaber).

 

 

May 5th.  Two Great Blue Herons at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

Another photo of Limber or Glaucous Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica); this one showing how the paired leaves join around the stem.