This morning the dog and I took a short walk around Lake Artemesia, 
beginning about 8:15.  The best find was 4 Green Herons, 2 adults 
and 2 juveniles.  The young ones were on the rocks bordering the 
lake on the south side of the peninsula, while the adults were in the 
trees nearby (one adult was chased over the lake and attacked by a 
male Red-winged Blackbird).  I also saw a female Wood Duck with 
6 good-sized youngsters and at least 4 immature Purple Martins 
circling around the martin house as dad looked on.  Also, I had a 
conversation with a very nice lady (Diane, from Laurel) who was 
checking the bluebird boxes.  She told me that two pairs of bluebirds 
had fledged young and that two more boxes had eggs in them.  
Good news!

(As an aside, I have not seen a single Green Heron at Greenbelt 
Lake this year.  I used to see one or two fairly regularly.  I wonder 
if this is an indication of that lake's decline in water quality.)

I heard my first singing annual cicada this morning - quite appropriate 
for the day of the summer solstice.

   
Elaine Hendricks
Greenbelt, MD  (PG County)



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