May 22nd - 31st Field and Flowers

 Definitely green across the field this week

Lots of different flowers and blossom this week 

White Campion 

Balsam Ragwort

Periwinkle 

Dame's Rocket

Not sure about the one above (hoping to add name)

Not sure

Not sure

Above is Red Columbine

Both above and below are Dame's Rocket, I think

Blackberry

There was also the remains of the Apple Rust that could be seen, not quite as interesting as it was the other week. It has faded. I read that this runs in cycles of two years so it will be interesting to see if it's around next year as it was there last year. 

And also some fungus - maybe Oyster Mushroom

It is wonderful to see all the plants and flowers growing. 

It's the end of another week, and another month at Asylum Lake. Spring will soon turn into summer. It will be interesting to see what June brings. 

May 22nd - 31st Birds

It's another week of lots of birds at Asylum lake. There are many different species in fields and woods. Some eating, some building nests, others still looking for mates. A visitor I don't usually see too often is the Indigo Bunting. It's a lovely bird in the cardinal family. 

What a beautiful bird! I can see similarities in the size and shape of the Indigo Bunting compared to the Northern Cardinal 

Another bright, colourful summer visitor is the Baltimore Oriole. I began seeing them again - this season - just before I left, but I never tire of seeing them. They are so easy to spot!

These are both males. The females are more lighter yellow in colour. 

On my last bird post I made note of all the woodpeckers I had seen in the woods and how there are a lot of them. This week I saw one of the Pileated Woodpeckers that live in the woods. These have to be my favourite woodpecker. I love listening to their loud calls - so loud when you are close by. They are on the larger size. 

Pileated Woodpeckers live in the woods all year round. 

Some Robins live in Michigan all year round, some migrate. This one is busy picking up thin sticks to build a nest. 

I did manage to see a robin sitting on a nest too. How exciting that babies should be coming shortly!

Interesting fact about the next bird. Brown-headed Cowbirds. 

They are brood parasites. They lay their eggs in nests of other birds, destroying the original eggs. 

Some more woodland birds I saw this week

Eastern Wood-peewee

Goldfinch

Kingbird

Swainson's Thrush

Song Sparrow

Tree Swallow

Grey Catbird

Field Sparrow

Brown Thrasher

And my not-so-favourite - a male turkey strutting around the field

May 22nd - 31st Woodlands, Deer and Yes, Chipmunks

The woodlands are getting a lot denser, trees are filling out and the woodland floor is finally getting a coating of greenery. There is lots of shade beneath the trees now and the animals are making the most of it. 

Down by the creek 

Beware the poison ivy

There are lots of chipmunk out in the woods. There are plenty of places to hide and lots of food to forage. 

And so many squirrels!

And an adorable baby squirrel. 

There is something so magical about the woods at this time of year. Everything seems to be coming alive. In the upcoming months the woods will become a haven from the heat, a place to eat and forage, a place to rest. The deer really like this part of the lake. There are trails through the woodland, but they aren't walked as much as some of the open areas. 

Resting in the woods.

Walking the trails 

Their antlers are really starting to grow! 

As I walk back to my car I spot a couple of rabbits on different trails. They are coming out in numbers now. 

They can really be quite jumpy. Not surprising with all the predators around. I enjoy seeing them though. Usually there are lots about when I first get to the lake in the morning. Hopefully, I'll be seeing a lot more of them in the coming months. They are lovely to photograph especially when the light hits their ears and you can almost see through them. 

It's another wrap for the woodland this week. I can't believe how much things have changed in just the week I've been away.