August 9th. Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is still blooming where it hasn't been mowed.

 

A male Jane's Meadowhawk (Sympetrum janeae) or Cherry-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly (Sympetrum internum). Taxonomists disagree on the status of these and several other related species. In any case red Meadowhawk males are a common sight in late summer.

 

No doubt about this common species, a male Blue Dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis).

 

Two Stink Bug nymphs on a plant I don't recognise.

 

They're Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (Halyomorpha halys), an invasive species from China, Korea, and Japan first found in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1988 and widely dispersed since.

 

 

 

Early afternoon at Lyman Viaduct. Sadly, now vegetation blocks most of the view from this high point across the valleys on either side.

 

I focused instead on smaller, overlooked things like this Wild Sensitive-plant (Cassia nictitans).

 

When touched, the leaves fold up like a Mimosa.

 

Eyebane or Nodding Spurge (Euphorbia nutans). Thanks to Heather Campbell for the ID.

 

 

 

A Lobellia, perhaps Nuttall's Lobellia (Lobelia nuttallii).

 

Round-headed Bush Clover (Lespideza capitata).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prostrate Tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium).

 

I didn't realize that the carpet of round leaflets belonged to the flowers. Peterson Guide and the species name "rotundifolium" clued me in.

 

Compared to the leaves, the flower stalks are very flimsy and few of the flowers were open.

 

Eastern Tailed Blue (Everes comyntas).

 

Spicebush Swallowtail (Papillio troilus). They're everywhere recently. Second or third brood of the year?

 

 

 

A male Widow Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula luctuosa).

 

A brief stop along River Road where the trail crosses the Blackledge River. Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra).

 

 

 

A Robber Fly (Family Asilidae. Laphria sp.) Bumble Bee mimic. The fly preys on real Bumble Bees.

 

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallina) in bloom. Note the wing-like margins of the leaf petioles.

 

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) on Winged Sumac flowers.

 

August 11th. An afternoon walk east from Route 207. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) at Mint Brook Pond.

 

I saw several puffballs.

 

 

 

Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta).

 

Giant American Millipede (Narceus americanus). I often see them crossing this section of trail. Sadly some have been run over by bikes.

 

Maybe not giant, but 8.5 centimeters is still pretty impressive. Head is at the left.

 

A mix of wildflowers under the powerlines.

 

I was hoping to find Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) in bloom there. Still present, but not as much as before.

 

 

 

Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris).

 

I'm pretty sure this is Panicled Tick-trefoil (Desmodium paniculatum).

 

Leaves and flowers.

 

Leaves.

 

Field Milkwort (Polygala sanguinea).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 12th. A young Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis).

 

American Dagger Moth caterpillar (Acronicta americana).

 

 

 

 

 

August 14th. A yound Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus).