After a dry week there was heavy rain on the evening of May 8, so I walked along the road for over an hour looking for amphibians. Many Spring Peepers, Gray Tree Frogs, Wood Frogs, Green Frogs and American Toads were crossing over.
Wood Frog
Every Spring Peeper I saw seemed extremely thin. This date was still at the height of the deafening chorus of peepers, and I suspect all the healthy individuals were too preoccupied with reproduction to do any travelling.
This Gray Tree Frog was well camouflaged despite the unnatural background.
This is one of the most boldly marked tree frogs I've seen.
The diversity and numbers of butterflies was very low, especially compared to the unbelievable numbers last year. This Eastern Comma was little consolation after missing the Kirtland's Warbler!
When a cold spell made the birding very slow I spent quite some time looking at wildflowers. I have little background in plants so I don't have much to offer besides identification, but the diversity and density of woodland flowers far surpassed anywhere else I've been in spring.
This aberrant Red Trillium with 6 petals was seen by many as it grew next to Spicebush Trail.
Toothwort
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Large-flowered Bellwort
Wild Strawberry
Wood Betony
Starry False Solomon's Seal
Plenty of awesome species, but I wish I'd had more time to really explore the non-avian diversity at Rondeau. It gives me a good reason to go back!
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