September 26th, Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) high on a dead tree where I seldom see it.

 

An afternoon walk east of Cook Hill Road in Lebanon.

 

All the white specks are flies.

 

Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is poisonous).

 

It's other name is Purple Thorn-apple.

 

Two color variants of a Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis).

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know the ID of this short-winged grasshopper - though the short wings may mean it's not the adult instar.

 

Grass at left; corn at right.

 

The marsh is pretty much grown over.

 

Peral Crescent (Phyciodes tharos). Interesting that it chose to land near fallen leaves of similar colors.

 

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is having a great year.

 

 

 

 

 

A Rove Beetle (Family Staphylinidae). Short elytra (modified front wings) protect origami-folded hind wings under them.

 

Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) at the marsh's exit stream.

 

 

 

 

 

My turn-around spot under the powerlines.

 

Heading back west, approaching the marsh.

 

This looks like a Gray Comma (Polygonia progne), listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut.

 

It could also be an Eastern comma (Polygonia comma).

 

Note the proboscis probing the gravel. It's gathering minerals to pass to a female during mating. She needs the minerals for her eggs.

 

 

 

Next stop Willimantic where the trail passes beside the Railroad Museum.

 

Ornamental flowers nearby as part of a pollinator garden initiative.

 

 

 

See the fly perched just left of the center?

 

Flying, its wings too fast for the camera to catch them.

 

It's a Syrphid Flower Fly (Toxomerus geminatus).

 

 

 

Junction of the Air Line Trail (Left) and the start of the Hop River Trail (Right).

 

 

 

View to the north from the Air Line Trail bridge over the Willimantic River. Hop River trail visible at the right.

 

September 27th. I'm going to need some help identifying this mushroom.

 

Distant Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of large Whirligig Beetles (Family Gyrinidae, Dyneutus sp.) doing their group whilrling on the channel side of the marsh.

 

Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) at Norton's Pond east of River Road.

 

Bright red Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and light green oval leaves of Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) climbing a Red Maple (Acer rubrum) tree.

 

A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Male seems to be molting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rippled reflections of trees covered in vines.