This Week at Nixon Park - May 9-16

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.







Hay-scented ferns blanket the ground in the beech grove, Wood sorrel flower, Burr oak leaf and tree, Tulip poplar flower, Green ash leaf







Spotted sandpiper, nesting Nuthatch, nesting Robin (the same robin nest from last week, I visited today to see how things were coming along and caught a glimpse of the nestlings - no picture though, I was immediately dive-bombed by a couple of perturbed robins.) Nesting Green Heron, Oriole (winning the contest for loudest bird this week), Hunting Green Heron, another look at the Cormorant.





Red Admiral butterfly, Orchard Orbweaver Spider, Slender Ant-mimic Jumping Spider (the name says it all, I think), a pair of mating Orange Bluet damselflies, the first dragonfly I have seen this season - a Baskettail.





Two basking Eastern Musk Turtles, Bluegill, Snapping turtle, and a bit closer to teh snapping turtle.