April 24th. Improvements underway at the Old Colchester Road crossing.

 

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) polynoses are developing.

 

Shadbush or Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) has just sterted to bloom.

 

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) flower now fully open.

 

Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) flowers waiting for more sun before opening.

 

 

 

East of Route 207, about where the pond starts, a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) right by the trail.

 

Too bad so many twigs in the way.

 

 

 

As I got close, it flew to the far side of the pond.

 

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) seemed not to be bothered by the Eagle's presence.

 

 

 

No sign of young yet.

 

April 26th. At Cranberry Bog, ramps and pedestrian warning flashers being installed at Smith Street.

 

 

 

Now if only they would fix the potholes in the parking area.

 

Momma Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) flattened out over her eggs in intermittent showers.

 

Dad a couple of hundred feet away.

 

First Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) of the year - at the pond east of River Road.

 

The dog calmly interested.

 

Simply awful pictures of an Osprey (Pandion halaetus) circling overhead. Low light and fast shutter made for digital noise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 27th. Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta).

 

 

 

A male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). The female was ahead of it and out of sight before I could focus.

 

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus). First I've seen this year.

 

Perched on remains of a Cattail from last year.

 

The female Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) on the nest east of Route 207. As the tree leafs out, it will be harder to see the nest.

 

 

 

 

 

Another heron, presumably a male, at the right.

 

Looks like the female is incubating eggs.

 

The male to her right flew off towards the other end of the pond.

 

Only then did I notice a third heron on the old beaver lodge below.

 

 

 

April 28th. Spring tree colors mimic Fall.

 

 

 

 

 

This male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) was the only duck I saw.

 

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) starting to bloom.

 

Wood Anemone (Anemone quinqurfolia) with the flower open for a change.

 

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

 

 

 

Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) fiddleheads.

 

Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) at the pond east of River Road.

 

Ripples on the surface.