Life 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…

November Dragonflies

Yesterday we thought a visit Prairie Oaks Metro Park was in order to see if the park ponds were home to any migrating waterfowl. After checking out the ponds it was hoped that the nearby woods might contain other migrating birds. . The ponds did produce a few Pie-billed Grebes   .   .   .   , . and turtles, . but not much else. . In the woods birds were heard but few would pose for a photograph. . While…

Spring Takes Flight at Prairie Oaks

We hadn’t been to Prairie Oaks for a while so we thought we’d head over to what is one of Columbus’s nicer metro parks and see how spring was progressing.  The day was breezy and cool so we weren’t sure what we’d find. Often the birds stay put on such days making locating them a challenge. But the sun did pop through the clouds periodically, and when it did, the birds, as if…

A Winter Walk

Winter Walk . The wonder of freshly fallen snow proof that somewhere within there is still lives a child after snow had fallen during the night we walk the landscape quietly transforming gracing the ordinary with magic as birds go about their business moving branch to branch sending small cascades of white floating down into the quiet                                                                               rsp . . Thanks for looking in.

A Pileated Woodpecker Teaches Persistence

It was early afternoon and clouds were finally allowing some flirtation by the sun so we decided to do a hike at Battelle Derby Creek Metro Park. It wasn’t long after we started what was to be a six mile hike that the clouds again closed in and grew heavier through the remainder of the day. Not the most inspiring weather and certainly not the best for many…

Fall Caterpillars

Recently we decided to visit Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park hoping for fall color and landscapes and perhaps some inspiration for a poem about autumn. Fall colors in central Ohio’s natural areas are always a challenge, plenty of yellows and browns, but due to the lack of maples not many bright reds and oranges. Interestingly, autumn color within the city is much better because humans like and…

Early Autumn Notebook

The last several days have been beautiful. Clear skies, cool nights and comfortable days with very little wind. Certainly something to remember, especially three months from now. . When the weather is this nice you certainly want to put it to good use. With that in mind we’ve enjoyed paddling with friends on Griggs Reservoir and have also spent some time in Griggs Park as well as Prairie…

Sounds of Insects and Summer Passing

We recently walked the trails at Prairie Oaks Metro Park with the intention of getting a few pictures of whatever insects happened by or more importantly landed on a leaf or flower long enough to photograph. Pausing to listen by a lake, meadow, or woods will quickly bring you to the realization that it’s that insect time of the year. Actual it’s been so for several weeks but now trees have hints of…

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Enchants

We’re in the process of preparing for a hiking trip in Scotland and what better park than Battelle Darby to go for a long walk. Besides, who knows what flowers, birds, or other wildlife might make an appearance, or what follow bloggers we might meet along the way. My wife cautioned that we shouldn’t stop too often to look at “things” or the walk would lose it’s training effect. As…

Celebrating Spring at Prairie Oaks

Recently we spent several hours at Prairie Oaks Metro Park looking for migrating warblers and other signs of spring. We were completely drawn into the moment with butterflies, wildflowers, warblers and other migrating birds surrounding us as we walked along the river. Sunlight filtering through the emerging translucent leaves creating the effect of green stained glass further setting the mood. In addition to the pictures below a number of birds and butterflies…