The natural world observed and explained.
Nature
Trout Lily Growth Stages Year 1 (June-December): Seed stage. Year 2 (April): The seed sprouts, a single embryonic leaf (the cotyledon) grows down into the soil first, then the tip pops up above ground. At the bottom, underground, the very first tiny bulb starts to form. Notice it's
Nature
I had no idea that squirrels ate tree flowers. I don't know why the idea surprised me when Mark Volpe sent me the picture above, but it did - after all squirrels do eat or gnaw on just about everything else. The practice was confirmed for Red Squirrels
Nature
All count as "usual suspects" you are likely to spot any day you visit the park this time of year.
Nature
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
Nature
Two more spring ephemerals started showing up this week. Wild leeks grow thickly in one section of the park. I may be wrong but I suspect they are lasting remnant of an area that the Lenape people harvested. I think this because the abundance of them points to a long
Nature
To be short lived, temporary, or fleeting. The Greek origin is "ephemeros" (meaning "lasting only one day"). Right now the spring ephemerals are making their annual appearance. The ephemerals appear when the weather warms, but before the tree canopy fills with leaves shading out the forest
Nature
March 18, 2025 There's no turning back now. We may have a frosty night or two but the woods are on their way into spring no matter what . About iNaturalist About Anson B. Nixon Park About cagksq
Nature
March 17, 2025 Northern Flickers are big, showy, loud woodpeckers. There are red and yellow-shafted variants. As you can readily see the ones who call the park home have bright yellow feather shafts. Today I spotted this pair engaging in mating displays, fanning tails and raising their red crests. About
Nature
Six species of woodpecker call Anson B. Nixon Park home; Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, Pileated, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and the Northern Flicker. They've begun staking out territories and calling mates by rhythmic drumming heard all through the spring. This drumming functions like the songs of other birds and is different
Nature
February 28, 2025 Feathers and tracks often go unnoticed, but the closer you look the more you'll see. Although American minks have been spotted in our area it's not surprising that I have yet to see one, they are pretty stealthy. Here's a look
Nature
February 25, 2025 I've found it difficult to get a good clear picture of a Chickadee. In the woods they are fast and cautious, but they hold still longer at the bird feeder. Figuring out if I have a picture of a Black-capped or Carolina Chickadee is just
Nature
February 20, 2025 This afternoon at Anson B. Nixon Park the snow was flying, until it wasn't. A day of dramatic skies, bursts of snow and a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. Pileated Woodpeckers will excavate a number of cavities in trees throughout the year. One they will use