Periodic cicadas have diminished in their conspicuousness (conspicuity?). I'm beginning to see dead individuals massed under trees; presumably they've accomplished what they set out to do. Along one section of the boardwalk in the park, there is a litter of cicada wings, residue from some predator's feast.

We cleaned out two boxes that had fledged Hooded Mergansers. I've noticed that the merg's shell is thicker, chalkier, more brittle than the Wood Duck's eggshell.

Paul spotted a couple of plovers on the way back. I said, "I'm looking at Kildeer[Charadrius vociferus], what are you looking at?" and he said, "Single-banded... Semipalmated Plover [C. semipalmatus]. They're late; they should be breeding in the Arctic by now." And of course he was right.

posted: 6:02:26 PM