It was a perfect New England summer day — breezy, about 85 degrees, gentle blue sky — so Carol and I decided to take a walk at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon.

Above: Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord, Mass., looking north over the lower impoundment

Above: Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)

Above: Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), with unidentified pollinator