May 31st. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura). There are at least two pair at the marsh.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) at the pond east of Route 207.

 

Great time of year for Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).

 

 

 

All the Chinese Chestnut trees (Castanea mollissima.) just across Route 207 are in tough shape. They seem to be dying while all other nearby trees seem fine.

 

On second thought, maybe they got badly frost damaged recently.

 

Scroll all the way down through this 2020 page to see what the trees should look like, and the insects attracted to them: https://www.performance-vision.com/airline2020/airline-summer-20d.html

 

An afternoon walk east of Cook Hill Road in Lebanon. Hmm, what are the cattle doing across the trail from the barnyard?

 

They're contained by only a thin strip of electric fencing - with no warning of what that means.

 

 

 

 

 

Ah, here's the answer: the field where they normally hang out has been plowed.

 

Heading east through the marsh section, I saw lots of things, starting with this Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).

 

 

 

Little Wood-Satyr (Megisto cymela).

 

A day-flying Sharp-lined Powder Moth (Eufidonia discospilata) or a related species of Euphidonia.

 

A Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the Route 85 trailhead to photograph the ornamental Iris planted there.

 

Differences of sun and shade dramatically change their appearance.

 

 

 

June 1st. Early morning light on the Irises.

 

This and the next couple of pictures differ only in minor differences in angle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my favorite.

 

Multiflora Roses (Rosa multiflora) have started blooming.

 

 

 

 

 

One of five Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) I saw laying eggs this morning.

 

 

 

They stir up a lot of earth.

 

Another one...

 

...and a third.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A male Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia - formerly Dendroica petechia).

 

 

 

 

 

A mated pair of Pale Beauty moths (Campaea perlata).

 

June 2nd. A different Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is laying eggs in a spot used by another turtle yesterday.

 

 

 

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) on a nest in the open section of the marsh.

 

Lots of cattail seed-fluff used in the nest.