June 27th. (Back from 12 days in New Hampshire.) A female Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens).

 

Females lack the red patch on the back of the head found on males.

 

 

 

One of two American Robin (Turdus migratorius) nests.

 

Saw no activity at this Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) nest.

 

One of two Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) nests, complete with bird.

 

Still seeing Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) preparing to lay eggs.

 

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) in full flower.

 

 

 

June 28th. Deer Fly (Chrysops sp.) facing the sun, waiting for the day to warm a bit.

 

Yesterday's American Robin (Turdus migratorious) on the nest.

 

Also, the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), but I think I see at least one, possibly two young under its watchful eye.

 

An afternoon stop at Cranberry Bog. A warm afternon and some of the Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) sought shade under a tree.

 

Others were feeding in the open.

 

Adults and "teenagers".

 

 

 

 

 

June 29th. Cute little bunny. Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus). This is Young Bunny 1.

 

 

 

Puffed up Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) on its nest.

 

Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris).

 

A close relation to garden Snapdragons.

 

June 30th. A slightly better picture of the Butter-and-eggs.

 

The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) again today. What must a bird think about in all the time spent sitting on a nest?

 

A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)...

 

...just finished, or waiting its turn on the nest?

 

 

 

A few minutes later, the switch is complete and a chick gets to cuddle up.

 

Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum). Very fragrant.

 

 

 

July 1st. Dog Vomit, Scrambled Egg, or better just plain Yellow Slime Mold (Fuligo septica). Not edible... but who would want to eat it?

 

Young Bunny 1 in the usual spot.

 

One Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) chick in plain view. Haven't ruled a second one out of sight.

 

 

 

July 2nd. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and a "ballsy" male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).

 

It has been a banner year for Gray Catbirds (Dummetella carolinensis).

 

A "teenage" male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

Sigh. The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) nest was empty. No sign of a chick...

 

...but an adult was nearby.

 

I moved on to photograph Young Bunny 2. Note shredded ear.

 

Back near the Mourning Dove nest, a photographer I see on the trail frequently had located the chick, not far from the nest.

 

 

 

How fast they grow!

 

 

 

Soon it flew (fluttered) to a shrub nearby...

 

...and commenced grooming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the parent Doves watched from above.

 

Finally, back past the Great Blue Heron, no longer being harrassed by the Red-winged Blackbird.

 

(July 2nd continued on the next page.)