April 20th. Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) at the pond east of River Road.

 

 

 

 

 

Wind-driven waves and Bullhead-lily (Nuphar variegatum) pads. Elsewhere, I saw a few buds.

 

 

 

 

 

April 21st. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) at the Wood Duck box. Two more were hovering nearby.

 

Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera).

 

 

 

 

 

Just west of Route 207, Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) in bud.

 

East of Route 207, the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) on the nest.

 

 

 

Across the pond, an Osprey (Pandion halaetus) flew in and perched.

 

 

 

 

 

April 22nd. Earth Day. Best guess is Wood Violet (Viola palmata).

 

 

 

 

 

Pink Lady's-slipper Orchids (Cypripedium acaule) are up.

 

The Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) again.

 

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

 

 

 

First open Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) blossom.

 

 

 

At the rock cut east of Depot Hill Road in Cobalt, Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) in flower, with seedheads, and leaves.

 

I still don't have an ID for this small fern.

 

Looks like Wood Violet (Viola palmata) again.

 

Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

 

Green Frog (Rana clamitans).

 

Another Green Frog.

 

Another Green Frog, with particularly strong markings.

 

 

 

 

 

Tadpoles.

 

Water Strider (Family Gerridae).

 

 

 

Sheep at the barnyard east of Cranberry Bog.

 

Momma Canada Goose (Branta canadensis); overheated but standing above at least 3 eggs.

 

Dad checking to see if I'm a threat.

 

Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) at the pond east of River Road.

 

Th distant Osprey (Pandion halaetus).

 

It did several laps around the pond...

 

 

 

...before diving into the pond.

 

It struggled a bit before...

 

...managing to get airborne.