Central Ohio NatureFall Warbler Migration
Posted on October 1, 2022
With a tradition of spending time hiking in the late summer and early autumn woods it’s not like we haven’t noticed fall migrating warblers in past years, but this is the first year we’ve made a concerted effort to see just how many we can spot as they move through our area making central Ohio home for just a few days as they head south to distant places in the Caribbean or south America. As always a few eluded the camera lens.
It may have been the Redstarts and Black and White Warblers at our Michigan campsite in late August that got us thinking that maybe it would be worth it to pay closer attention to fall migration this year.
There are several challenges to observing fall warblers; the trees still have most of their leaves providing many hiding places, the birds don’t call, and the male’s colorful breeding plumage is muted, or in some cases doesn’t even resemble that of spring, so identifying birds can be very difficult.
Even though the late summer wildflowers and the hint of red, yellow and gold in the leaves high overhead are beautiful, it’s still a time of year that it feels like nature is closing up shop. As they filter through the trees on their way south the warblers say, “not yet” and wake us to yet more of nature’s wonder.
The Show
Posted on July 9, 2019
Recently we were flattered with an invitation to exhibit some of our photographs at the church we attend. The invitation was undoubtedly the result of this blog as well as various Facebook posts that friends and acquaintances have seen over the years. A friend commented that they might not be able to get over to the exhibit so the thought occurred that perhaps a post showing the pictures was in order. We hope you enjoy them.
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Lilly Pads, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, FL.
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Blackburnian Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, (Donna).
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Wild Geranium, Glenn Echo Park, OH.
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Hummingbird Moth, Griggs Reservoir Park, OH, (Donna).
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Leaf, Griggs Reservoir, OH.
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Wood Duck, Griggs Reservoir, OH, (Donna).
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Squiggle, Griggs Reservoir, OH
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Prothonotary Warbler, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
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Branches, Griggs Reservoir, OH.
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Red Winged Blackbird, Griggs Reservoir Park, OH, (Donna).
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Misty Morning, Devoe Lake, Rifle River Recreation Area, MI.
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Spring Azure on Phlox, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, OH, (Donna).
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Tree, Salt Fork State Park, OH.
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Cedar Waxwings, Griggs Reservoir Park, OH, (Donna).
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Tree and Rock, Big Bend Natl Park.
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Purple Gallinule, Lake Kissimmee SP, FL, (Donna).
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New Art Exhibit at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus 93 W. Weisheimer Rd. Columbus, OH 43214-2544, “The Eye of the Beholder,” July 2- August 25. Join the artists for a reception: Sunday, July 14, 11:30-1pm. Food, conversation and photos.
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Approach photography playfully, you’ll have more fun, and your photographs will speak with a new voice. Thanks for stopping by.
A Journey Through Spring
Posted on May 26, 2019
It feels like we’ve been dodging raindrops at lot lately. However, the wetter than average spring, perhaps the new normal, has been great for the area wildflowers. We’ve continued to explore Griggs Reservoir Park near our home but have also made several trips to Glen Echo Park, Kiwanis Riverway Park, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, and have traveled west to Cedar Bog as well as north to Magee Marsh, to name some of the other places explored. With a partial record in pictures of things seen, this is a celebration of all that this fleeting season has given us. Of particular note are the Yellow-billed Cuckoos that decided to make Griggs Reservoir Park their home for a few days recently. We also saw Scarlet Tanagers in the park after seeing few to none last year. What a treat!
(Should you desire, click on the image for a better view.)
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Birds:
Yellow-billed Cuckoos are one of the more entertaining birds to watch as they forage for food, Griggs Reservoir Park. They’re not a bird we see that often much less have an opportunity to photograph, (Donna).
A shot showing the distinctive markings of the underside of the tail.
This Tree Swallow was perched not far from it’s nesting cavity, Griggs Reservoir Park.
There are always a few Bluebirds to see at Griggs Reservoir Park undoubtedly due to numerous trees that provide nesting cavities.
Catching this female Wood Duck out of the very corner of my spectacled eye as it flew into a nearby tree I at first thought it was a Morning Dove.
On a sunny cool spring morning this male Mallard Duck just wanted to catch some rays.
Every year we look forward to the arrival of the Baltimore Orioles at Griggs Reservoir Park. This year was no exception.
They are another very entertaining bird to watch.
As if all the migrating warblers at Magee Marsh weren’t enough we see this guy, Great Horned Owl owlet.
A male Red-winged Blackbird in all it’s splendor. A common resident at Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Cedar Waxwings in love, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Being an acrobat.
Great Crested Flycatchers are heard more often than seen, Griggs Reservoir Park.
A Kingbird ready to take flight, Griggs Reservoir Park.
An curious young male Cardinal, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Just finishing up a snack of “warbler”, this Red-tailed Hawk stares us down, Griggs Reservoir Park.
An Eastern Wood-Pewee is caught in a cute pose at Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery, (Donna).
Oblivious to our presence, a Prothonotary warbler collects nesting material, Magee Marsh.
Scarlet Tanager, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Scarlet Tanager at Magee Marsh.
A Warbling Vireo seems to stare us down, Magee Marsh.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magee Marsh.
Blackburnian Warbler, Glen Echo Park. This small park centered around a stream and ravine is a hotspot for observing spring migrants.
Wood Thrush. Glen Echo Park.
Red-eyed Vireo, Glen Echo Park.
A male American Redstart plays hide and seek, Glenn Echo Park.
Magnolia Warbler, Magee Marsh.
“I’m eating a bug, do you mind!” Carolina Wren, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
Red-headed Woodpecker, the first ever sighting at O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Nest building, Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve
Summer Tanager, Glen Echo Park.
Eastern Phoebe, Greenlawn Cemetery.
A busy Song Sparrow, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
A Yellow-throated Warbler looks down from above, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Yellow-throated Vireo, Glen Echo Park, (Donna).
Couldn’t resist another view of this lovely bird.
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Other things:
How many turtles are on this log? Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Wildflowers:
Purple Rocket turns white with age, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Cabbage White on Dame’s Rocket, Griggs Reservoir Park.
These Toadshade Trilliums from a few weeks ago were some of the last seen, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Pawpaw blossoms, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Hoverfly on Spring beauty from a few weeks back.
Solomon’s Seal, Glenn Echo Park.
May Apple blossom from a few weeks ago, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Jacobs Ladder, Amberleigh Park.
Fleabane, Cedar Bog.
We were surprised to see this Morrel mushroom emerging through the mowed grass at Griggs Reservoir Park.
Wild Rose, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Blue Flag Iris, Cedar Bog.
Wild Geranium, Glenn Echo Park.
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We hope you enjoyed this journey through spring into what now feels like early summer. We sadly leave the spring migrants behind for this year but experience tells us that there is always something new to see when exploring nature.
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Future seasons become easier to count and the present one more precious with the passing of time, but in that scarceness we become richer with the sense of their magic.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Eastern Wood-Pewee, Cedar Bog.
Central Ohio Nature 