Nuthatches (around here almost always white-breasted, although you'll see a Red-breasted Nuthatch now and again) are smaller birds that forage for insects in and on tree bark. Their unmistakable nasally "pheent" is frequently heard, but they less often spotted. Nuthatches are always on the hunt for
February 14, 2025 A wonderful cold, yet sunny February Morning between long stretches of gray days. The residents of the park were actively trying to make up for lost time. About iNaturalist About Anson B. Nixon Park About cagksq
Nature
February 14, 2025 Wintering birds could warm up by foraging in direct sunlight. However, research shows that mixed-species flocks of wintering sparrows chose to avoid predators and forage in the shade, even in cold weather when sunlight would offer warmth. Researchers found that foraging in sunlight makes birds easier targets
Seen Around Town
February 12, 2025 A quiet, light snow in my neighborhood this morning. Out of the bosom of the Air, Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken, Over the woodlands brown and bare, Over the harvest-fields forsaken, Silent, and soft, and slow Descends the snow. -Longfellow About iNaturalist About Anson
Nature
February 12, 2025 If you want to understand nature (and have a bit of fun), you need to learn about taxonomy. If you paid attention in high school biology, you might already know what's coming, but stick with the rest of us while I explain—it's
February 10, 2025 A seasonably frosty day, but the first full sun in several mornings. My walk started just after 9 AM and lasted about an hour. About iNaturalist About Anson B. Nixon Park About cagksq
Nature
Many birds can sleep with one half of their brain while the other half remains awake.
Nature
February 8, 2025 In the midst of winter with snow in the forecast one spring flower has already appeared. Skunk cabbage is the first of the 'spring ephemerals' - woodland wildflowers that take advantage of spring sunlight reaching the forest floor before the trees leaf out. In our
Nature
Beeches, oaks and hornbeams hold on to their leaves through most of the winter - a phenomena called marcescence.
Nature
At first, it's hard to believe that such a big, loud, and demanding prescence calls our woods home.