Nature

On the Lookout

Clarke Green

04 Apr 2025 — 1 min read

Red Squirrels see you before you see them, and they will keep an eye on you.

Over the past several weeks the red squirrels have been in their breeding season. Females are in estrus for one day, and they cause a lot of chattering and chasing about. Besides being the fastest thing in the forest they are a watchful and cautious creatures; so much so I get about one picture for ten tries.

For the past several weeks I have caught a glimpse here and there and heard them them galavanting around; but never in camera range. The other day, though, I managed to find a more cooperative subject.

I was far enough away that this squirrel was willing to pose.

Black Willow

Before long the soft filaments of back willow (Salix nigra) seeds will be drifting through the park. Black willows are so common we are likely to pass them by, but they are a vital part of the park ecosystem. They grow in floodplains, stream banks, swamps, marshes, sloughs, and ponds

Tyrants!

Tyrant flycatchers are so called because they are, well, tyrannical, jealously guarding their territory from interlopers. Possessing keen eyesight for spotting insects and judging distances, flat, wide bills perfect for catching prey, and whisker-like bristles around their mouths likely aiding rapid course corrections, flycatchers are formidable hunters. Flycatchers have their

Seen Around Town

Some recent photos. I’ll be at third thursday this week on State Street with my paintings 5:30-7:30 pm.

This Week at Nixon Park - May 3-9

A seasonably warm week with plenty of sun, and enough rain to break the back of the drought.

Read more

Black Willow

Tyrants!

Seen Around Town

This Week at Nixon Park - May 3-9