Central Ohio NatureLife In A Cemetary
It had been about a year since we visited Bigelow Cemetery State Nature Preserve and Big Darby Headwaters Nature Preserve , so we thought a road trip was in order to see what we might find in the way of insects and other wildlife. Last year we had seen a number of hummingbirds at Bigelow so we thought that might be the case again. Unlike Bigelow, which is a very small plot of native prairie, Big Darby Headwaters is a much larger area and one we have only begun to explore. Repeated visits throughout the year would be best to get to know and really appreciate these areas. We usually have to satisfy ourselves with less.
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The first thing one notices upon arriving at Bigelow is how small it is, only about one half acre. The initial thought is that such a small area shouldn’t take long to explore. An hour and a half later we left and could have easily stayed longer if the Big Darby Headwaters had not beckoned. The number of living things in this small area compared to the surrounding farm field monoculture was mind boggling.
Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery Preserve.
Royal Catchfly, Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
The preferred direction.
A male Red-winged Blackbird seemed concerned about our presence. Perhaps a nest was nearby. Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
Painted Lady butterflies were common at Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
Take 2.
Take 3.
The cemetery is old by Ohio standards.
Royal Catchfly, Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
A Monarch Butterfly made up for the fact that no hummingbirds were seen, Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
Donna takes aim on a wildflower, Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
Gray Headed Cone Flowers and Royal Catchfly, Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
White Campion (alien), Bigelow Pioneer Cemetary, (Donna).
Common Checkered Skipper, Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery, (Donna).
Stink Bug nymph, Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery, (Donna).
Familiar Bluet, Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery, (Donna).
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Having spent as much time as we thought we should at Bigelow, it was close to noon when we arrived at the Big Darby Headwaters. Usually not the best time of day to be out in nature.
A fair mount of habitat restoration was required to make the Big Darby Headwaters NP what it is today, (Donna).
The hiking trail in Big Darby Headwaters Nature Preserve, (Donna).
Calico Pennant Dragonfly, Big Darby Headwaters, (Donna).
A Meadow Fritillary is joined by some of it’s closest friends on Butterfly Weed, Big Darby Headwaters.
Snowberry Clearwing Moth, Big Darby Headwaters.
A curious Song Sparrow looks on, Big Darby Headwaters.
Michigan Lily, Big Darby Headwaters.
Halloween Pennant, Big Darby Headwaters, (Donna).
Tall Bellflower, Big Darby Headwaters, (Donna).
Stream, Big Darby Headwaters, (Donna).
Depford Pink, Big Darby Headwaters, (Donna).
Looking for a bird, Big Darby Headwaters.
Big Darby Headwaters, (Donna).
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Over the past few days there’s been no shortage of things to see closer to home.
A male Bluebird watches, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Royal River Cruiser, a new dragonfly for us! O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Take 2.
Yellow Jacket Hover Fly, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, (Donna).
Four-toothed Mason Wasp on Rattlesnake Master Flower, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Coneflowers, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Banded Longhorn Flower Beetles, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Silver Spotted Skipper, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, (Donna).
Female Eastern Pondhawk, Big Darby Headwaters.
Great Spangled Fritillary, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, (Donna).
Jewelweed, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, (Donna).
Eastern Amberwing, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, (Donna).
Common Whitetail (F), Big Darby Headwaters.
Common Whitetail (M), O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
White Tail Deer, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, (Donna).
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Even in our backyard . . .
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
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I continue to think about the diversity and abundance of life at Bigelow. It may be reasonable to expect that if such places were more numerous or extensive such diversity and abundance might not be as noticeable as the creatures observed there would have more options. However, forgetting for a moment the pollution of the air and water due to human activities, it’s still hard not to wonder about the long term sustainability of the planet when so much acreage has been, and continues to be, developed. Once developed it often becomes just another barren monoculture which at best grows crops that feed us or worse becomes another woods or meadow roofed over for industry, commerce, or shelter, or paved over so that we can drive or park our cars. While more far-reaching solutions are undoubtedly necessary, in the short term planting more wildflowers in lieu of maintaining an extensive lawn might be worth our consideration.
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As always thanks for stopping by.
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XXX
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As always, excellent photos and thoughtful commentary. What is a Michigan lily doing in Ohio?
Thanks Lou, I was wondering about the lily myself.
Beautiful!
Thanks Sara!
I love the Darby Headwaters! And I haven’t been to Bigelow in ages, time for another visit 🙂
They are both worth a return visit I’d say. Lot’s of Tics at Big Darby Headwaters right now.
Oh and as regards the sign, Gary Jainshig was my Middle School science teacher many years ago! Nice guy!
Wow, thanks for sharing!
You see beautiful things no matter where you go. I like the tall bellflower and rattlesnake master. I’ve never seen either one.
We are blessed with two sets of eyes on most outings and a reasonable amount of photographic firepower!
You’re lucky!
The amount of subjects that you found in the small cemetery is amazing!