There was no "ring" present on the upper stem.

Figuratively, knocking at the front door.

Unintentionally,
this sequence demonstrates how the background color and brightness
affects the appearance of the subject in the foreground.

For many weeks I have been monitoring this plant, as I did not know its identity. It is now far enough along in bud that I am able (I think) to identify it.

In a woodland stream.

This is the crayfish that helped me by disturbing a salamander from its hiding place beneath a rock.

Link to egg-masses seen on Rocky River, and which had me foxed, until now: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/176475778

On Asclepias syriaca.