Wednesday Walk - Summer Days by the River

This week, I took a few walks along the Grand River is Western Michigan, USA to see what wildlife I could was out on and near the water. I wake of the recent heat wave that has passed over this portion of the country, the cool waters of the river and adjacent lakes are a regional oases for animals and plants alike.

While on my walk, I came across a wide variety of plants and birds as well as a few color insects and spiders as well. Below are a collection of images taken of the species I encountered while on my walks. Please feel free to offer your suggestions if you believe that I am incorrect in any of my identifications!

ANIMALS:

Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis):

Northern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera ssp. spinifera):

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica):

American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus):

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis):

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura):

Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus):

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens):

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater):

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus):

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos):

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor):

PLANTS:

Great Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea):

Northern Purple Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea ssp. purpurea):

Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara):

Lance-leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata):

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense):

Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa):

Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis):

Tamarack (Larix laricina):

Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa):

INSECTS & ARACHNIDS:

Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta):

Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa):

Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia):

Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata):

Complex Laphria sericea:

Gypsy Moth [caterpillar] (Lymantria dispar):

OTHER SHOTS FROM THE TRAIL:
A few small campsites I found along the river.

Thank you for walking with me.