Less than a week ago, after returning from a trip south to visit relatives in the sunny and warm state of Georgia, it was still in the sixties here in central Ohio and we were on our tandem bicycle enjoying a ride. Two days later it was windy with temps in the thirties dropping into the twenties at night. As a result autumn colors that entranced are now gone, replaced by a more subtle beauty.
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With the departure of most of the warblers to points further south we started looking more intently for other birds that seem to be more noticeable in the winter when on our walks along the Scioto River. These include Brown Creepers and Golden Crowned Kinglets some of which may travel from areas further north. Noteworthy is the Dark Eyed Junco which arrives from further north and seems to do well in in our area most winters.
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Thin layers of ice have greeted us during recent morning walks.
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A couple of days ago we were about to embark on one of our urban hikes and noticed something in our neighbor’s shrub. I ran back into the house a grabbed a camera.
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Where there are Golden-crowned Kinglets there are often Chickadees.
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There was a little more color along the river just a week ago.
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But depending on which way you pointed the camera the light could be pretty harsh.
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It’s probably been two or three weeks since we saw our first Junco.
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A Kingfisher waits patently along the river. While too far away for a good picture of the bird I thought the play of light on the branches and the hints of color in the background made for a pleasing composition.
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The ever present Great Blue Herons along the Scioto below Griggs Dam.
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As we looked for kinglets and creepers we were being watched from across the river.
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Our first Black Duck sighting of the season.
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While I was busy with the ducks my wife got a nice shot of a colorful House Finch that was nearby.
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But jeepers better not forget the creepers.
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Until next time we hope you have an opportunity to notice and enjoy nature in your neighborhood.
Nice shots of the brown creepers, I never catch them in the open like that.
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Terrific photos!
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I’m enjoying learning about the birds in your part of the world. The tree creepers here are so hard to get close to and photograph. I haven’t been able to get even one pic! The juncos are such sweet, pretty little birds. Beautiful images.
You’ve got a tandem bike? I’ve always wondered what it would be like to ride one of those! 🙂
Thanks Jane! From: Central Ohio Nature To: motobobp@yahoo.com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2014 2:46 AM Subject: [Central Ohio Nature] Comment: “Jeepers Brown Creepers” #yiv6608232153 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv6608232153 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv6608232153 a.yiv6608232153primaryactionlink:link, #yiv6608232153 a.yiv6608232153primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv6608232153 a.yiv6608232153primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv6608232153 a.yiv6608232153primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv6608232153 WordPress.com | | |
Nice, comprehensive post. Great photos, M 🙂
You got some great shots of the local bird population. I like the chubby upside down creeper.
I like the alarmed heron.