Bona Dea Update

Bona Dea was really warm on Thursday. The insects were all about more than any time this spring. They are progressing on the work on the new road into the pumping station. There was a single Cormorant on the old snag in Lake Dardanelle. Also a Pied-billed Grebe duck was along side. At the spillway I took photos of Bamboo Cane and a freshwater plant that is shown here. Parrot Feather. This stuff is in all the ponds at the park. On the way to the old swing bridge I took photos of the Lavender and Purple Violet wildflowers seen in recent posts. Also of the Redbud tree. A single Turkey Vulture flew over along with the usual American Crows. There were Fox Sparrows in this area. Tried to photo one but they are hid in the underbrush pretty good. Not much bird activity today. The female Goose is still on her nest in Waldon Pond. Basking turtles were all over and some swimming today. A pair of Blue-winged Teal ducks flew over Waldon Pond. No snakes today but yesterday made up for it. At the spillway I also saw a type of Sweat Bee and a type of Dragonfly. I will try to ID later. Photos here. The bee photo was not good as it was in flight and would not stay still long enough to focus. One pleasant surprise is that a pair of Northern Cardinals are at my home feeder and it appears they are going to nest in a holly bush in the back yard right up next to the house. The Fox Squirrels will not let the birds eat. They have to grab and run.