April 4th. Red Maples (Acer rubrum) in flower at Norton's Pond.

 

Fishing lure caught up in a Red Maple.

 

Nice design.

 

 

 

 

 

Last year's Baltimore Oriole nest, still hanging in there.

 

Six Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) in the marsh across the trail from Norton's Pond.

 

Nine more!

 

April 6th. Male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris).

 

 

 

 

 

A female Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis).

 

The common thalloid Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) just east of Grayville Road.

 

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is leafing out.

 

So is the similar looking False Hellebore or Indian Poke (Veratrum viride). The pleated leaves distinguish it at a glance from Skunk Cabbage which has a network of veins (see above).

 

April 7th. A distant Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).

 

 

 

The hawk at the left while Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) gathered at right to harass it.

 

A female Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). First time I've caught it perched. For a week or more I've heard it and seen it flying far across the marsh.

 

Dark clouds passing by to the north. No rain on the trail but wet roads from Hebron center back to Marlborough.

 

Periwinkle or Creeping Myrtle (Vinca minor).

 

Late afternoon at Cranberry Bog, a female Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) on a nest in the usual spot.

 

See the goose, dead center in this photo?

 

This is the view without any telephoto magnification.

 

The male occasionally cruises by but isn't very helpful. He does discourage other birds from getting close.

 

 

 

 

 

More Canada Geese on the far side.

 

Cattle across Smith Street.

 

The pony was curious about me today.

 

Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) at Norton Pond east of River Road.

 

Female.

 

 

 

 

 

April 8th. The Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) hanging out together, taking a break from midge hunting.

 

 

 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) and male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos).

 

 

 

The same Heron a little while later. Note lily pads are unfurling.

 

 

 

A Warbler, but I'll need help with the species name. Hmm, probably a Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum).

 

I stopped by Norton's Pond off River Road for a quick look. Nothing happening so I got back into my truck... and saw this adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) circle low. Got out and was able to spot it perched far across the pond.

 

 

 

 

 

It took flight...

 

 

 

...and flew low over the pond, dipping into the water at one point, and...

 

...catching a fish. (Barely visible in its talons.)

 

It eventually perched even further away where I couldn't get a photo.