April 13th. A tree down just east of Old Colchester Road. I reported it to Hebron Park & Rec.

 

In the afternoon, I walked the Cobalt section east of Depot Hill Road. At the wet ditch through this rock cut...

 

...I heard then saw this Green Frog (Rana clamitans).

 

 

 

A few yards further on, I saw this Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica). Note the tadpoles at the lower left.

 

Lots of eggs and tadpoles nearby.

 

The only flowering plant I saw was Gill-over-the-ground or Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), a Mint.

 

A Flatheaded Wood Borer (Family Buprestidae, Acmaeodera tubulus) on Dandelion.

 

As far east as I could go before a stream has invaded the trail. After passing under Route 66, the trail picks up again.

 

Next stop, Cranberry Bog and the stables and cow pen across Smith Street to the west. Note the electric fence.

 

Frisky.

 

On a teeny pond a few feet west of the barnyard, I was pleased to find a pair of Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors).

 

I can count the times I've seen this species along the trail on the fingers of one hand - with fingers left over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum) will bloom soon.

 

Momma Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) on the nest...

 

Breathing hard to cool off. (Temp was close to 90 degrees.)

 

Three Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).

 

April 14th. Thanks to Hebron Park & Rec staff for clearing the downed tree so quickly.

 

Black Fly (Simulium sp.) season has begun. Not biting but ever present in numbers and apt to be inhaled.

 

Ever-present in sight and sound, Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are still displaying.

 

 

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) and two Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) far across the marsh.

 

Plus two Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa)...

 

...another Goose and another Wood Duck.

 

Just the three Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa).

 

Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera). Two years ago I photographed it on April 14th too, and April 15th last year. Remarkably reliable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A "Stinkpot" Musk Turtle (Sternothaerus odoratus) tucked in as I approached.

 

But it soon started checking me out...

 

 

 

...and then "hoofed it" away across the trail towards the water.

 

 

 

April 15th. Six Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) and male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos).

 

One each, male Mallard and Wood Ducks.

 

What looked like a damaged large egg turns out to be a Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea).

 

A tiny (about 3.5 mm) wasp on the side of my truck.

 

I've submitted these pictures to https://bugguide.net/node/view/15740 in hopes of an expert identification. Pending that, I'm going to predict that it's in the wasp Family Cynipidae, Tribe Cynipini, the Oak Gall Wasps.
UPDATE: Feb 3, 1025. Nearly 2 years later, BugGuide came through with an ID to genus: Melikaiella sp.

 

Mid-afternoon check on the Cranberry Bog Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) nest. Mom on duty.

 

Dad some distance away.

 

I was attracted to some swirls in the water and eventually saw this...

 

...Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) swimming along.

 

Momma goose was away from the nest...

 

...but soon returned.

 

The two Purple Trilliums (Trillium erectum) are nearly ready to bloom.

 

Guessing this one will open tomorrow.