June 15th. Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) nest high in a tree.

 

First of two Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) laying eggs.

 

The other one, not far away.

 

Pasture or Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina) at Norton's Pond.

 

Suddenly, Fragrant Water-lilies (Nymphaea odorata) are all in bloom.

 

 

 

Note the small purplish flowers amid the Water-lilies.

 

They're the flowers of Watershield which with their smallish lily pads are Brasenia schreberi.

 

 

 

 

 

A Clubtail Dragonfly (Family Gomphidae).

 

Monday, mid-afternoon and the drill is boring footing holes on the far side of the brook. Finished one...

 

...and manuvered into position...

 

 

 

 

 

...to start the next one.

 

June 16th.Stake out at the Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) nest. Mostly the female coming and going behind a screen of foliage.

 

 

 

 

 

Wings spread as she prepares to leave.

 

Back again.

 

The male checking in. (Note: the young birds had fledged by the next morning but I couldn't get pictures of them.)

 

June 17th. The Barred Owl (Strix varia) was back near the junction with the Colchester Spur.

 

Picture makes me smile.

 

Twenty minutes later and a bit of sun was reaching it.

 

 

 

Well, this is a first. In 24 years, I've never shared pictures of a vehicle. But this is a very special one seen at the Route 85 parking area in Amston.

 

A 2004 Chevrolet SSR pick-up complete with a power retractable roof, among other luxury features.

 

Interested? See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_SSR (Okay back to the nature photography.)

 

Afternoon at Cranberry Bog. Multiple families of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) out for a paddle.

 

Based on plumage, several stages of maturity.

 

 

 

One of the Knapweeds (Centaurea sp.).

 

Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus).

 

 

 

 

 

The resident Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius), legs covered with Duckweed (Lemna minor).

 

On the hunt.

 

Every move in slow motion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missed the attack, a second or less, but somehow if found the fish below the Duckweed.

 

Throat stretched around the fish.

 

(Note the damaged tongue that lets me identify this bird. It's been here for 6 or seven summers at least.)

 

Back on the hunt.

 

Geese feeding right beside the trail. They're mostly okay with trail users but best to give them a wide berth.