This is the first of several posts about Odonata; an order of predatory flying insects that includes dragonflies (Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera). This is a generalized life cycle that points out stages you may observe at the park. You can see up to a dozen species of dragonflies along the
A hot week. Enough said about that. I like to walk slowly through the beech grove when the weather is hot (truth be told I walk slowly everywhere when the weather is hot). The canopy of trees shades the trail almost completely, and the undergrowth is lush, cool and green.
Tree Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Barn Swallows frequent the ponds and meadows of the park. Stand quietly and watch as they speed by, often just a few feet away, darting and weaving through the air so effortlessly you'd swear they're doing it just for fun.
Another week of rain and unseasonably cool temperatures topped off by a strong storm with around an inch and a quarter of rain and 50 MPH wind gusts. When they swept through the park those winds felled a few trees and many branches.
A warmer week than last. As the high temperatures reach the eighties for a couple of days in a row dragonfly nymphs are finally beginning to emerge after a cold, wet spring.
This is a chapter in an occasional series about the history of Anson B. Nixon Park. Previous entries At the Foot of the Mountains Landfill To Park Early Kennett Square villagers got their water from wells, cisterns, springs, or the Red Clay Creek. Individual households or groups of households were
Sadly it appears that a predator of some description has snatched the eggs out of the Green heron nest (last week's look at the nest and eggs). I checked on the nest a number of times this week and did not see the Heron sitting, nor the eggs.
After a long bleak winter of waiting, traversing vast migrations, and surviving daunting probabilities, the late May parade of life carries on despite unseasonable cold and wet. This week it's fledglings, nests full of eggs, the quiet work of incubation, feeding the nestlings, tiny turtles, fox kits, and
This is the fifth and final species profile in the turtle series, here's the first entry that discusses things common to all the turtles at the park with links to the other profiles. I've only seen one eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) at Nixon Park,
The Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) basks in the sun less than other turtle species. While occasionally seen with other basking turtles, they are more typically found basking alone. This solitary basking behavior can make them somewhat difficult to spot within the park. Oddly enough they are very good climbers
Some rainy days this week, difficult conditions for getting decent pictures, but a few interesting takes none-the-less.
This is the third species profile in the turtle series, here's the first entry that discusses things common to all the turtles at the park with links to the other profiles. Eastern Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta, picta), and Pond sliders and Red-eared sliders (both of the genus Trachemys)
Nature
This is the second species profile in the turtle series, here's the first entry that discusses things common to all the turtles at the park with links to the other profiles. Pond sliders, Trachemys scripta, and subspecies the Red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans are frequently seen basking on
Nature
This is the first species profile in the turtle series, here's the first entry that discusses things common to all the turtles at the park with links to the other profiles. Most of the Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) I've spotted at the park were floating
Nature
Turtles? Beyond the tale of Yertle and the race with the hare I did not know all that much. Studying the turtles I've observed in the park opened a fascinating world. This introduction covering things common to all the turtles will be followed by individual entries about each
This Week At Nixon Park
As of May 8th all of Chester County remained in a moderate drought, perhaps that will finally change with this week's rains. The rain cut into my time at the park this week a bit, but there's plenty to see this time of year.
Nature
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
Birds
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
Some recent photos. I’ll be at third thursday this week on State Street with my paintings 5:30-7:30 pm.
Nature
A seasonably warm week with plenty of sun, and enough rain to break the back of the drought.
Birds
A quick disclaimer - these photos are from the past couple of years, I've seen the Sanpdpiper this spring several times but have yet to get a good picture. Sandpipers are usually associated with the shore, but the Spotted Sandpiper is a frequent sight around the ponds and
Nature
The purplish pink buds of Eastern Redbud trees have been putting on their annual show this past month or so. I came across what looked like a redbud growing near one of the picnic pavilions at the park, but was confused because it had white flowers. I've learned
This Week At Nixon Park
May has arrived, a little warmer and drier than you'd expect. The NOAA drought information system information for Kennett Square predicts the drought we've been in since last September will be lifted this month. As I noted perviously the Green Herons have returned. This morning I
Nature
The Red Clay Creek has carved a gently rolling landscape out of the remains of ancient mountains.