The high noonday sun and longer days are combining to accelerate the advances of flora and fauna this late spring.  Many phenomena that usually occur over a week or so are happening much more rapidly this year — often over a period of a few days.  So it is an exciting time to be out and about.

The placement of dockage, and a few boats at St Amants Marina is a sure sign that summer is on its way:

This ruffed grouse is scurrying, perhaps to develop a nest in a  more private place…

Marsh Marigolds are emerging from the reeds and cattail marshes to display their golden blossoms.

This American Red Squirrel is starting to scamper away from the nosy photographer…

First Painted Turtle of the season basking in afternoon sun …

This year’s crop of Beaked Hazelnuts appears to be light.

This Common Grackle is enjoying the sunshine, generating some iridescence with its feathers.

This Mallard drake is using the same phenomenon to generate that iridescent green on its neck.

Some White Trilliums have unfurled almost at the same time as T. erectum.

A (nice?) abstraction ….

More Marsh Marigolds:

First Pale Corydalis of the year …

This illustrates that the microclimate in the region of the leaves influences the rate of advance…

I was lucky to hear, then to see and quickly photograph this Common Yellowthroat Warbler at Big Lake.

Early Saxifrage are in full  bloom now …. but the normal buzzing of pollinators seems to be missing this spring …. something to pay attention to as spring progresses.

Stinking Benjamin alright!

Carolina Spring Beauty is abundant this year (beautiful and tasty?)

Trout lily bulbs are also said to be edible —- in small quantities.

In a few days the floors of our deciduous woods will be dotted with Ontario’s flower, T. grandiflorum.