May 25th. Larger Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor).

 

Some digital kaleidoscopes made from that iris photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samples and instructions to make your own here:
https://performance-vision.com/airline2019/airline-winter-18-19e.htm

 

Bullfrogs (Rana catesbiana) were croaking.

 

 

 

Bullhead-lily or Yellow Pond Lily (Nuphar vareigatum).

 

Common Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus).

 

 

 

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina).

 

Canada Mayflower (Mianthemum canadense).

 

Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars are growing.

 

The cast "subimago" skin of a Mayfly (Order Ephemeroptera), one of several on the underside of a leaves. Unlike all other insects, Mayflies have two winged stages. The first rises from the water where it developed as a nymph, flies briefly, then moults again to the sexual true adult "imago" stage.

 

May 26th. Large nest, up high. Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) maybe?

 

Yup.

 

 

 

May 27th. Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria). Despite the name, this species doesn't make tents. It's easy to identify by the "high heeled shoe" tracks up its back - at least that's how I was taught it 50 years ago.

 

 

 

Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) large 2nd instar larva.

 

A female Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) dragonfly. (The males have a slate blue abdomen.)

 

Stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus).

 

May 28th. Straw Besma (Family Geometridae, Besma endropiaria).

 

A good year for Larger Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor).

 

A male Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula).

 

False Solomon's-seal (Smilacina racemosa) is blooming now.

 

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) is still blooming.

 

May 29th. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) in the channel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 29th. A walk east from Route 207. Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) still in the tree hole nest.

 

 

 

 

 

Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule).

 

 

 

 

 

Ant and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).

 

Cow-wheat (Family Orobanchaceae, Melampyrum lineare).

 

Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis).

 

Far distant hawk.

 

May 30th. Caterpillar of the Copper Underwing moth (Amphipyra pyramidoides).

 

Range map and photos: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=9638

 

Life history: https://bugguide.net/node/view/13299

 

An afternoon walk west from Grayville Road to Judd Brook. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago).

 

 

 

 

 

A male Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly (Calopteryx maculata).

 

 

 

Spiny legs are held as a basket to snag insect prey in flight.

 

Presumably a moth caterpillar, probably Family Tortricidae, but I haven't a clue which one. It was on a maple leaf.

 

Lady's-slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule).

 

Stone wall near Judd Brook.

 

 

 

Falls just downstream from the Judd Brook bridge.

 

A Maple Eyespot Gall, made by an Ocellate Gall Midge, (Family Cecidomyiidae, Acericecis ocellaris).

 

Just east of the Judd Brook bridge, back on the Air Line Trail, the mother lode of Lady's-slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Speedwell (Veronica officinalis).