April 25th. First Bullhead-Lily (Nuphar variegatum) flower of the year.

 

First Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) of the year too.

 

Doesn't look like anything was accomplished yesterday, and now it's a no work weekend again.

 

Really curious to know what this machine and tubing are for.

 

 

 

Wonder how long before "Loon" graffiti is gone.

 

Apparently this "tag" can be found quite frequently in nearby towns.

 

April 26th. A male Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia).

 

The usual far distant Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).

 

 

 

Lots of Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two distant male Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa).

 

 

 

April 27th. Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) on the channel side of the marsh.

 

Male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)...

 

...and his mate by the Wood Duck house near the Colchester Spur. Just before taking this picture, one of the pair was on the house.

 

A brief walk at Norton's Pond in the afternoon. Nifty colors on many of the Water Lily pads.

 

 

 

Typical color of new pads.

 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) resting amid Bullhead-Lilies (Nuphar variegatum).

 

 

 

Three Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta); the one at the left teetering with legs retracted.

 

Next stop, the trail west of the River Road brownstone bridge. Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) had a particularly hard winter. Note all the papery dead leaves; some green leaves still managed to overwinter.

 

Best guess is young leaves of Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides).

 

Particularly oily new Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) leaves.

 

Nify little ferns growing in cracks in a rock cut.

 

April 28th. Curve-toothed Geometer (Eutrapela clemataria). As I stood looking at this, I was sure it was a dead leaf...

 

Finally went back and picked it up!

 

 

 

Firefly (or Lightning Bug). This species is odd in that it has no light. It's Ellychnia corrusca.

 

 

 

The pair of Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) seem to be using the Wood Duck house near the Colchester Spur junction.

 

Meanwhile at the marsh, Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) seem commited to this house.

 

A noisy Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) at the pond east of Route 207.

 

 

 

Later, 33 Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) at the western end of Norton's Pond...

 

 

 

...and 13 more at the eastern end.

 

One Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) there too - presumaby a male while the female incubated eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) "polynoses" are maturing.

 

At Old Colchester Road, loading (or unloading?) another giant digger.