Muskrat , Beaver shake, Monarch & another Mallard family

This muskrat shows a definite preference for Yellow Waterlilies

 

Note the bare stems after its finished dining

Monarch on Lilacs

And here is a beaver in mid shake. Just came out of the water at the dam.Fur on end and water spray everywhere.
  click on  picture to enlarge. 
Goofy look on its face wot?

Lastly, this is another mallard family of 10 ducklings. Several days younger than the previously posted group. These are too young  yet  to venture forth in search of bugs and stay very close to mother. But 2 are lagging behind.

Barn Swallow, Eastern Pheobe, Dragon Flies, Frog on a log and more.

Here are Barn Swallows harvesting nest materials from around the beaver dam, Mud and straw. Prior to this I had never seen Barn Swallows in the area of Sheriff Creek.

An Eastern Pheobe.

 

Frog on a log

 

Dragon Flies

A Song Sparrow aria.

 

Next set of photos are of the 10 Mallard ducklings insect hunting.

First up: the family sallying forth.

then beginning to disperse, The are old enough to be allow to roam.

 

Now, the chase is on.

                                     and lastly,                reaching for the fly.

Beaver wrestling match

Or is it a case of extreme friendliness?
Apologies for photo quality but it was very late in the day and light was poor.

And as the sun came out briefly,                          The winner?

Another Mallard mother, Wood Duck, and an assortment of stuff

This Mallard has 4 adolescents. I'm guessing they were hatched a week earlier than the last posted, 9 

And here is the Wood Duck.

Another painted turtle laying eggs. This time right smack in the middle of the walkway. Living dangerously.

 

As best I can identify this, it is a Red-eyed Vireo

This, as Googling got me is:   
moth is also known as the Forsaken Underwing and the Relict.

 unusual in that the article says  "flight period July - October". Global warming again?




Next up: A loon doing a half roll to access its belly.

 Bullfrogs.

and to finish,      Butterfly,     then Bee

Mallard Ducklings (9) .Egg-laying turtle, Bullfrog

Out for a tour of the marsh. And teaching moments.

BullFrog

 

Egg-laying Painted Turtle

 

sample fish in the marsh. About 17-18 cm long.