Central Ohio NatureAn Early Spring Paddle
In recent days bird activity betrays the fact that from a distance the landscape is still more reminiscent of a snowless winter day than spring. Hearing but not seeing any first of the season migrating warblers we’ve nonetheless been entertained by other birds engaged in spring preparations or just passing through.
Eastern Phoebe
White-throated Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
It’s a male!
Female Cardinal.
An illusive Brown Creeper
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It’s not just the sight and sound of birds, but the call of spring peepers in low lying flooded areas, that bring music to the day. Much easier to see but not nearly as vocal, bullfrogs are also present. Under budding bare branches in wooded areas a closer look around our feet reveals spring wildflowers sparkling in last year’s leaf litter.
Spring Beauty
Bloodroot, (Donna)
Twinleaf, (Donna)
Bullfrog
The very small flowers of Harbinger of Spring, (Donna)
Dutchman’s Breeches, (Donna).
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Recently, after arriving at a local park, a magic moment occurred when a large group of White Pelicans were spotted overhead on their way north. Something we don’t recall ever seeing in central Ohio before. By the time cameras left their bags, etc., there was time for just one shot before the birds were obscured by nearby trees.
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The chocolate milk color of water in most central Ohio reservoirs says spring and offers proof of recent heavy rains and runoff from yet to be planted farm fields. However, yesterday we ignored the water’s uninviting color, given that it was an otherwise a perfect day, and launched the canoe to go exploring. As we headed out, numerous Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and Bonaparte’s Gulls continued to feed on small dead or dying shad (as they have for the last couple of weeks), while turtles took advantage of the warm sun.
Almost ready to launch on Griggs Reservoir in our fast 18ft Sawyer Cruiser.
Red Eared Sliders enjoy the sun, (Donna).
Many trees are starting to leaf out. There were very few boats on the reservoir for a Saturday.
Great Egrets in breeding plumage, (Donna).
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This large beaver lodge has been at the north end of Griggs Reservoir for years.
A lighter Red Eared Slider and a Map Turtle.
My wife had numerous opportunities to photograph Wood Ducks during our paddle. This was one of her best shots.
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So hopefully warbler spring migrant pictures will grace the pages of a blog in the near future but in the mean time we’ll continue to celebrate all of the other things seen.
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Stay safe and as always, thanks for stopping by
Central Ohio Nature 
In spite of the lack of warblers, there was plenty for you to see and it was all beautifully recorded as usual. Thank you.
You certainly have more flowers blooming than we do, many that I’ve never seen.
The wood ducks are beautiful birds and that’s a great shot of them!