August 23rd. Storm clouds gathering at Cranberry Bog.

 

Some thunder later, and a little rain, but not nearly what we need to break our drought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A pair of American Goldfinches (Carduelis tristis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

 

 

August 24th. Dew on a spider web after yesterday's rare rain.

 

 

 

A nearly adult female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

 

One of two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias).

 

Afternoon fair weather clouds near River Road. No rain predicted though we sure could use more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Escaped ornamental Garden Phlox.

 

Some Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris) still blooming.

 

August 25th. A Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis). Perhaps a young one? It let me take pictures from about 5 feet away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) let me get quite close too.

 

"Who, me?"

 

"I suppose I have to move." (But not far: I could still see its butt in the undergrowth.)

 

August 26th. Just one Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) at the marsh (and not much else).

 

 

 

At the Route 207 crossing, a little Chicory (Cichorium intybus) still blooming, probably second growth after being mowed.

 

A little Hedge Bindweed (Convolvulus sepium) blooming too.

 

Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) blooming - and shedding its pollen.

 

There is a boulder right by the gate to the trail at Route 207. It's covered with wild Grapes (Vitus sp.).
And the grapes are covered with Common Hops (Humulus lupulus).

 

One Hop.

 

New this year, Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) vines are growing over the grapes and the hops.