June 21, 2022

Wood Frog

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 68°F, cloudy and calm on June 21, 2022.
• Common milkweed had just started blooming.
• The Little Bluestem Meadow was mowed today.
• This week's trail report covers the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.

The Trails

• It was cloudy, but bright. It seemed cool but was close and long sleeves were off by the end of the Carriage House drive.
• To the right of the kiosk, common milkweed was just beginning to bloom.
• To the left, bird feeder escapee, Canada thistle, had started as well.
• The dead treetop just beyond the kiosk was occupied as usual by a tree swallow.
• Farther up ahead, a larger milkweed patch was just inside the bend in the road.
• And there was a brand new great spangled fritillary.
• The Little Bluestem Meadow was being mowed today. Along the edge was the patch of spreading dogbane - it should come back, if a little shorter.
• Just clearing the trail through the Old Gravel Pit, a maple had come down during the recent wind and rain.
• At the top of the Fern Glen, spikenard was getting ready to bloom.
• Farther along, red baneberry was beginning to turn red.
• The pond was still clear to the bottom.
• Two red-spotted newts were lounging just at the surface.
• From the back of the pond, one could view the turtle log at the front of the pond.
• At least two painted turtles were trying to catch some rays.
• Along the side of the pond, Turk's-cap lily was just getting buds.
• ... and bugs: lightning bugs or "fireflies". Neither bugs nor flies, they are actually beetles.
• Near the front of the pond, elderberry had started blooming.
• The flower cluster takes a good picture.
• Closer to the ground, inconspicuous honewort was rising above others in its neighborhood.
• On the way deeper into the Glen, riper red baneberry was glowing.
• Royal fern was sprawling under the poison sumac.
• One branch was rising straight up out of the chaos.
• Farther along the boardwalk, limber honesuckle was forming fruit.
• Back along the edge of the fen, purple-flowering raspberry was not far behind.
• On the opposite side of the trail, maple-leaved viburnum was keeping up.
• On top of the acid cobble, a little colony of white-flowering Herb Robert was in its usual location.
• A common but pretty little moth, the three-spotted fillip, was lurking among the ferns.
• The week before, panicled hawkweed had started.
• A few different things look like whorled loosestrife ...
• ... until it blooms (note the little spider egg sack on a thread).
• Bowman's root was still doing what it calls blooming.
• Easy to pass by, white avens is common and small, but interesting on closer examination.
• Another royal fern was doing well enough by itself in dryer land.
• Near the Fern Glen kiosk, diervilla, a honeysuckle native to our region, was opening its odd blossoms.
• Back out on the Cary Pines trail something moved under the fern just off the edge of the path.
• It took a moment or two to find the wood frog. If you want a hint........ it's at the left side.
• Next week: the Wappinger Creek Trail the side of the trail system.

Sightings