Hi my name is James Anderson and I am a park naturalist for the Marion County Park District in Marion, Ohio. I specialize in native plants, birds and herps. I joined here because of the TikTok ban. I heard this is where everyone was heading to so I thought I give it a try. #nature#ohio#newhere
📸 Captured by Araby Sexton in Marion County — this mom is carrying her babies on her back. The spiderlings ride along for 1–2 weeks before climbing down to hunt on their own.
Prairie magic near Greencamp! 🌸🦋 Naturalist James has been finding incredible nature discoveries at the Trella Romine Prairie. #nativeplabts#PrairieLife
🦋 You wouldn’t think butterflies fight… but in nature it’s all about survival! 🌼 Monarchs & Swallowtails will chase & spar over nectar, defending their favorite flowers.
📸 Thanks to Amy Holloway for capturing this Monarch vs. Black Swallowtail showdown!
🌼 Kicking off our Wildflower Wonders of Marion County series with Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)! A pollinator magnet with medicinal history used by Native Americans & settlers. 📸: Naturalist James @ Yoder Prairie, OSU Marion. #WildflowerWonders#NativePlants#OhioPrairie
🌾 Prairie Plant Spotlight: Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum)!
With huge leaves & tall yellow blooms, this native beauty thrives in tough conditions. Native Americans once chewed its resin like gum & used roots medicinally.
📸: Thanks to Naturalist James at Yoder Prairie! #nativeplants
Look at these adorable Red Fox pups—and their watchful parent—captured by Lola Pryor in Marion County! Fox pups stay with their parents for 4–5 months, learning to hunt and survive. For their safety, we won’t share the location.
There’s a lot happening in your Marion County Parks—especially out at the Marion Tallgrass Trail. It’s almost like the Force is strong out there lately. May the 4th be with you! (Because let’s be honest… who doesn’t love Star Wars?) #maythefourthbewuthyou#starwars
Look what Dan Sheridan spotted on the Marion Tallgrass Trail — a Painted Turtle! If you find turtles in parks or the wild, admire them but leave them be. It’s illegal in Ohio to keep them without a permit — and they play a big role in nature! #nature#turtles
Spring has arrived — and so has Bloodroot! This early bloomer gets its name from the bright red sap in its roots. Its flowers only last a day or two, and ants help spread its seeds! Thanks to Lola Pryor for this beautiful photo from Terradise Nature Preserve! #Wildflowers#OhioNature#nativeplants
Virginia Bluebells are blooming along the Marion Tallgrass Trail—from Riley Rd to Clark Rd—and at Terradise Nature Preserve! These beauties start pink, turn blue, and bloom for just a few weeks. Thanks to Naturalist James for the stunning pics from his ride! #wildflower#nativeplants
American White Pelicans spotted at Big Island Wildlife Area! Check out their 9-ft wingspans & that funky knob on their bill—it only appears during breeding season! Awesome shots by Lola Pryor.
Dutchman’s Breeches are blooming along the Marion Tallgrass Trail! These quirky spring ephemerals look like tiny pants on a clothesline. Keep an eye out for their cousin, Squirrel Corn, too!
Bullfrogs are back! American bullfrogs are emerging from hibernation in Marion County—listen for their deep “jug-o-rum” calls in wetlands and ponds. Thanks to Dan Hudnell for this great pic from the Marion Tallgrass Trail!
Spotted at Marion Tallgrass Trail! 🏞️ The Green Darner Dragonfly—a dazzling, long-distance migrant—can fly up to 35 mph and helps control mosquitoes! 🦟 Keep an eye out for these aerial acrobats on your next visit.
Looks like this mallard pair decided to get a YMCA membership—probably for the unlimited pool access! Big thanks to Jonathan Welch Jr. for snapping this quack-tastic moment at the Marion YMCA. Maybe we should start charging them for a day pass?
Back at Terradise Nature Center for another shot at finding Skunk Cabbage! Will I spot it this time, or will nature have other surprises? 🤔🍃 Come explore with me!
During her hike along the Marion Tallgrass Trail, Abbey Cline experienced a breathtaking moment—a majestic Bald Eagle soared right over her! #birds#birdsofprey#nature#wildlife
