September 22nd. The trail at the Route 85 parking area.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at the mound often used by Wood Ducks as a perch.

 

Male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) on parade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) on its usual perch.

 

September 23rd.

 

 

 

 

 

Fancy male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)...

 

 

 

 

 

...with a female.

 

 

 

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) head of individual pea-like flowers.

 

 

 

Probably an immature Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), but perhaps an immature male American Black Duck (Anas rubripes).

 

The American Coot (Fulica americana) was back this morning.

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at the little marsh near the Colchester Spur junction.

 

 

 

 

 

September 24th. At Cranberry Bog, four Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa)...

 

...and three Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)...

 

...though this female with a damaged green beak looks like a possible cross with an American Black Duck (Anas rubripes).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closer views of the Wood Ducks. Two females and a male.

 

The male.

 

 

 

The resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) with the damaged tongue sticking out of its throat.

 

Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris) still blooming along Smith Street.

 

Fine dust from passing traffic I suspect.

 

A mating pair of invasive Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles (Harmonia axyridis) on Goldenrod (Solidago sp.).
No photos, but the Goldenrod was covered with Honey Bees (Apis mellifera). Nice to see.

 

A brief stop at Norton's Pond east of River Road. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) still around.

 

Three Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) in the background.

 

September 25th. A brief walk at Norton's Pond between rain showers.

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) far across the pond.

 

The trail surface I refer to as North Carolina red clay wasn't nearly as muddy as usual when it's wet.

 

Three Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa).

 

A male Wood Duck and a Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).

 

T

 

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe).

 

 

 

The tree bark and vines I enjoy seeing.

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop, Raymond Brook Marsh, coming in from Old Colchester Road.

 

A Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) often seen at this spot. Note that it has lost part of its tail.

 

The other Northern Water Snake often seen at that spot.

 

I think this is Smooth White Lettuce (Prenanthes racemosa).

 

 

 

Storm clouds gathering and a bit of distant thunder. (But a Barred Owl calling in the distance.)

 

 

 

Time to turn back, but not soon enough. I got soaked.