There are two more tree species coming into bloom at the marsh now. The hawthorn trees are just beautiful (top photo). Most of the ones at the marsh I believe are English hawthorn (deeply lobed, small leaves). The bottom shot is of the one Autumn Olive tree at the marsh (Elaeagnus umbellata). The blossoms are very fragrant, and the bees were having a heyday in the canopy. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Fruit Lab has given it a new name - Auntumberry, as the tree bears red berries in September which are edible and can be used to make jams & sauces. However, in the States the tree has been placed on the invasive species list. The berries of both of these trees are favored by birds.
Here we go again, but you'll love this one. I had never seen goslings playing like I did this morning. It was the family of five young, although only four were in on the antics. First they were diving under the surface, splashing all over, then they took off in a line, hollering away (top shot). Next they moved into a circle, rising out of the water (center shot), and finally they joined mom and their sibling, still sounding off (bottom). It was quite the performance.
I went looking for wood ducks this morning, and found (top shot) three males roosting in some dead snags, and (bottom shot) a family of chicks (mom was there somewhere) hidden in a stand of grass at the marsh's edge. There certainly is a healthy population of these magnificent birds at the marsh this year.
I saw this bird on Friday the same time as the yellow warbler in the last shot. The trouble is, I can't figure out what it is! It was about the same size as a red-winged blackbird, and it seemed to be by itself. I'm hoping someone out there can help me identify it.
Friday I was fortunate to see this female Yellow Warbler in this stand of cattails. She is not quite as bright as the male, which is more frequently seen.
I know, more shots of the geese. You might think I'm partial to these common inhabitants of the marsh. Well, you'd be right. These are four of the family of five goslings, and the three shots tell a bit of a story. The three families were feeding alongside the trail again this morning. Two of the families moved into the water as I approached, but this family remained on the bank, and the young settled down for a rest (top shot). Then along came a woman with two dogs (on leashes, thankfully), and the goslings sat up prepared to flee (middle photo). After the dogs had passed, and mom had moved closer, they settled back down again (bottom).
I didn't expect to encounter this on the trail this morning, but sure enough, right in the middle of the path was this painted turtle. I stood and watched it for some time to see what it was going to do. It eventually moved down the path a short ways, then off into the grass. I presume it was preparing to dig a hole and lay its eggs. Although it seems a little early for egg laying, perhaps the warm temperatures have effected it just as plants have been early with their blooming.
The three families of geese were feeding alongside the trail when I first met them this morning, then they swam towards the upper end of the marsh where it has become quite mucky. The goose with her five young waded into the muck after I took the top shot. The bottom shot shows the five goslings feasting on young shoots, with their lower bodies coated in muck.
Coming around the corner by the little pool beside the trail this morning I almost missed this little leopard frog (I would have missed it if a friend passing by hadn't noticed it move). You can see how easy it would be to miss it by how well it blends into its surroundings.
I saw the wood duck hen with her brood of 13 again this morning (top shot). Then, way out on the water, I found this new wood duck family - with 10 young (bottom shot).
