First Ice
Posted on November 11, 2018
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Today as we walked along the river,
the hard dry frozen ground
held wilted still green plants.
Out of the north
the wind had a bite
as fast-moving clouds
playing with the sun
and us
giving first
just a hint of warmth
then not.
While ducks swam in frigid air,
small birds hid,
and the river continued its flow
leaving near waters edge
the seasons calling card.
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A Clifton Gorge Fungi Find
Posted on November 10, 2018
We were hoping for a little more autumn color when we decided to schedule a hike in The Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve but two days of wind and rain took care of that. Starting near the mill we were greeted with splashes of muted color from a few scattered young beech trees. The red of invasive burning bushes was also seen but most of the now faded leaves had found their final resting place along the trail.
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“This 268-acre preserve protects one of the most spectacular dolomite and limestone gorges in the state. Registered as a National Natural Landmark in 1968, Clifton Gorge encompasses a 2-mile stretch of the Little Miami State and National Scenic River, just east of John Bryan State Park.
Geologically, it is an outstanding example of interglacial and post-glacial canyon cutting. At one point, the river funnels through a deep, narrow channel, which was apparently formed by the enlarging and connecting of a series of potholes in the resistant Silurian dolomite bedrock. In other sections of the gorge, cliff overhangs have broken off forming massive slump blocks scattered along the valley floor.
The shaded, north-facing slopes provide a cool, moist environment for northern species including hemlock, red baneberry, Canada yew, arbor-vitae and mountain maple. This is one of the most spectacular sites in the state for viewing spring wildflowers including the rare snow trillium”. (Ref: ODNR)
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No hiking distance records were set, and it wasn’t a great day to capture fall color, but my wife did spot some very interesting fungi.
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Beech leaves appear to flow with the river. (This picture would have been much more effective with the camera mounted on a tripod using a slow shutter speed.)
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By far the most fascinating discovery was:
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It was a wonderful time spent enjoying nature with friends. A visit to Clifton Gorge never disappoints.
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Thanks for stopping by.
An Autumn Bouquet
Posted on November 4, 2018
The image of a flower bouquet kept entering my mind as I thought about this post. Something enjoyed only briefly and then gone. Perhaps it’s the realization that today images are everywhere and the best we can hope for is a fleeting appreciation before they pass into time. So no iconic Ansel Adams images here, just glimpses of autumn in Ohio. If the reader soon forgets the images but is left with a positive feeling or inspiration the carries them into the day with a smile, we will smile.
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In no particular order, the photos were taken during the past week and are from a hike on a “new to us” trail along the western shore of Alum Creek Reservoir in Alum Creek State Park (AC), and also hikes in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park (BD), Clear Creek Metro Park (CC) and Griggs Reservoir Park (GR), an easy to over look city park just mile a from our home. The fungi pictures are a reminder that even with most wildflowers gone until next year there is always something to discovery during a walk in the woods.
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Walking a wooded path
with the colors of an autumn day,
the earthen scent of fallen leaves
touched by rain,
and the sound of a solitary woodpecker,
I awoke in the richness
of the moment.
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Thanks for stopping by.
A Walk Along The Scioto
Posted on October 31, 2018
Finding autumn in a composition of color, leaves, and trees that speak to us, can be a challenge. Especially when looking for new or different interpretations. On any given day the message can be very different, sunny bright, and cheerful, or overcast rainy, and solemn. Some days we must content ourselves with views through water streaked windows as a windy rain strips branches and blankets the ground with color.
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Autumn is particularly enchanting when the magic is found close home such as during a recent walk along the Scioto River. We felt particularly blessed as Ruby-crowned Kinglets seemed to be everywhere. Two Dark-eyed Juncos even made a brief appearance but eluded the camera’s lens.
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Dark, cloudy, or rainy days seldom get creative juices flowing and I’m not one to go out in the rain just to see what kinds of “rain pictures” I can come up with. But sometimes, if you are significantly enchanted by a subject, it may be worth looking at it under different kinds of light and climatic conditions. In dong so it may be more fully appreciated and it’s beauty more completely revealed.
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Thanks for stopping by.
A Walk Along The Clear Fork
Posted on October 25, 2018
A cool clear quiet morning greeted us as we started a walk along the Clear Fork of the Mohican River in Mohican State Park . My hope is that the few images that follow will serve as an inspiration to spend a little more time being in nature and in doing so experience that which is larger than ourselves.
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Pause for a moment, breath in the cool air, listen to the wind accompanied by the distant call of a wren, feel the warm rays of the autumn sun, soon passing.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Autumn Reflection
Posted on October 16, 2018
As I write this the temperature has finally arrived at more normal levels for early October. Until just a few days ago it was much warmer and the season betrayed by the calendar was having a hard time getting started with leaves still reluctant to show their autumn color. That wasn’t all bad as we were treated to sightings of butterflies and other insects not usually seen this late in the year. Given the above average rainfall it continues to be a great time to see fungi which seems to be almost everywhere. Below is a celebration of some things seen over the past couple of weeks. Missing is “the picture” of me paddling the Scioto River, fishing for Smallmouth Bass, as two mature Bald Eagles circled overhead. Oh well, some things would be hard to capture in a photograph and must just be experienced.
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The above experience prompted me to consider things that can be photographed, which in this case happens to be landscapes. Specifically, it has to do with the difference between how a scene is seen and how the camera captures it. Or putting it another way, after we have been enchanted enough to take the picture, and after a preliminary look are happy with the results, does the image convey the desired message as shot? This then will have a lot to do with the kind and amount of post processing used and it’s limits for a particular photograph. Such things are often a matter of opinion or taste, there being no right or wrong. With that said, we’ve all seen the over saturated colors in autumn landscapes which risk devaluing the place and experience as if to say it wasn’t beautiful enough. Things worth considering I believe.
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As already mentioned it’s been a great year for fungi. Apparently chicken Fungi and puffballs are edible but I think we will just enjoy looking at them. At their peak the colors of some fungi are no less spectacular than the loveliest wildflower.
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Despite our recent fungi fascination other things have been hard to ignore. A number if years ago it took a really spectacular insect to make an impression but as I’ve spent more time looking at them my appreciation has increased. With greater knowledge and understanding it has become much harder to consider them a lower life form less noble than ourselves. They have become part of the beautiful tapestry of life where boundaries between self and the natural world disappear.

Yellow-collared Scape Moth is very similar to the Virginia Ctenucha but is slightly smaller, (Donna).
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Pausing at water’s edge, rippled reflections dance to the rhythm of wind and light gracing us with a new vision and an invitation to a new place.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Maine Musings
Posted on September 17, 2018
Every couple of years we travel to the coast of Maine. It always seems like our stay is too short. The below images around Stonington as well as Mt Dessert Island are in celebration of our recent visit. For photographers enchanted by rugged natural beauty the coast of Maine offers endless photographic opportunities. As if the natural beauty wasn’t enough, exploring the trails of Acadia National Park often treats one’s senses to the fragrance of salt air and balsam. Not something we get to enjoy in Ohio. Our too brief stop in Stonington left us feeling that our next visit will have to encompass more than just a few hours and there are always more places to see and explore on Mt Dessert Island. Plenty of reasons to return.
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Landscapes:

Ship Harbor Trail.

Balanced rock. This very large glacial erratic left behind by the receding glaciers 10,000 years ago has fascinated Bar Harbor visitors for years.

Along the Ocean Path, Acadia National Park. This is one of the best trails for seascapes but getting a people free picture can be a challenge.
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Nature:

As the tide goes out there’s the enchanting world of tide pools to explore, Wonderland Trail, Acadia National Park.
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We hope you enjoyed this brief interlude from our usual central Ohio posts. For a moment this morning as we walking along Griggs Reservoir in the misty rain, except for the lack of salt air, it was hard not to imagine we were back in Maine. Thanks for stopping by.
So Close To Home
Posted on September 3, 2018
Usually when one thinks about life in Columbus, shopping malls, the local college football team, and rapid urban development come to mind. Columbus, with its multifaceted economy has escaped the malaise of many midwestern cities that relied on manufacturing and heavy industry for their prosperity so outlying farm fields continue to give way the strip malls and housing developments.
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Still, embedded right in the center of the metropolitan area, there is nature. During outings along the Scioto River or on Griggs Reservoir I can’t help but feel blessed. Recently while fishing (catch, photograph, release) the surprisingly productive waters for Small Mouth Bass and otherwise being on or near the river and reservoir I’ve been treated the sights and sounds of Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Black Crowned Night Herons, Great Egrets, Osprey, Spotted Sandpipers and even an occasional Bald Eagle. After time spent in these places I can only hope that the treasure I get to enjoy endures and is here for those that come after me.
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The river:
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The reservoir:
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Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron? If I’m right it’s our first sighting ever along Griggs Reservoir, exciting to say the least!
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Thanks for stopping by and sharing in my enthusiasm. I hope that where ever you live you are blessed to have a special place so close to home.
It’s A Butterfly Time Of Year
Posted on August 16, 2018
Not that they aren’t seen earlier in the spring and summer but August does seem to be the time for butterflies. This year it’s been almost impossible to be out for any length of time without seeing a Monarch. In the late morning or afternoon small but beautiful Pearl Crescents make the shorter grass along the trail their playground. The beauty of some butterflies like the Giant Swallowtail is apparent to even a casual observer but others like the Buckeye reveal their beauty only after a closer look. Others like the hairstreaks are easy to miss altogether unless you know what to look for. The good news is that you don’t have to get up a the crack of dawn to see butterflies.
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So below is a celebration of butterflies that have been seen in the last few weeks. Much of the credit must go to my wife who tirelessly pursues these usually unpredictable creatures until she gets the shot she wants while I often content myself to photographing the more predictable wildflowers.

In late summer Bull Thistle is common in the prairie areas of Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park and seems to attract it’s share of Monarchs.

The Giant Swallowtail is Ohio’s largest butterfly and not one we see every day, Griggs Reservoir Park..

Hackberry Emperors are fairly common in Griggs reservoir Park and on a warm day enjoy hitching a ride on your arm to take advantage of your perspiration, (Donna).

Usually not seen in central Ohio until late summer or fall the medium size Buckeye is striking, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

Certainly not the most aesthetic setting, a Zebra Swallowtail lands in our canoe just as we finish a paddle on Paint Creek, (Donna).
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Where there are butterflies and moths there are caterpillars and no one is better at spotting them than my wife.
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We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge some of the birds that continue to charm us as we walk through the woods of central Ohio.

A Ruby throated Hummingbird checks out the Bull Thistle at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
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So what was I doing while my wife was taking so many excellent photographs in central Ohio? Fishing in Michigan of course.
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If time spent in nature speaks to the essence of your being, your soul, you have riches greater than any material procession can offer. A wealth that grows in health, spirit, and the awareness of being part of the greater mystery. Thanks for stopping by.