Posted on December 28, 2018
It was dark, cold, foggy, and not the kind of morning we jump out of bed to go hiking, but our visiting son from San Diego wanted to hike so who were we to argue.
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Even though conditions were right to produce significant frost our initial goal was to see a few interesting birds. However, upon arrival at out hiking destination, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, the frost quickly became the main source of fascination.
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Taking a closer look at nearby weeds revealed very interesting ice formations, which we originally thought was hoar-frost but after a closer examination we now believe to be rime ice.
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It found its way unto leaves,
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berries,
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and other things.
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The ice wasn’t just on plants. During the night’s cold a park pond tried it’s best to freeze over.
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We actually did see a few birds, including Golden-crowned Kinglets that eluded the camera’s lens, but the ice is what really stole the show.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Posted on May 7, 2018
Just a few days ago, during a spring migration walk along Griggs Reservoir, it was quiet. Sure there were a noticeable number of Yellow-rumps, one or two Yellow-throated were heard so high in the Sycamores that they threatened to go into earth orbit, and even some Palms were flitting about with tails bobbing, but most of the kinglets had moved on with nothing else within easy binocular reach taking their place. An unwelcome reminder that spring migration can be that way, one day the land of plenty the next not so much.
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Over the past few years we’ve enjoyed monitoring a few locations close to home. While we do go further afield we’ve noticed that for us by concentrating on a few locations, the place, as will as the creatures that call it home, seemed to be valued more. We acknowledge that by not hopping in the car in response to an E-bird post there are birds that will not see. With that in mind, the next day we found ourselves back at Griggs Reservoir Park to see if things had changed. Amazingly, as if by magic, brightly colored orange birds that were no where to be seen the day before were now streaking through the air to perches high in trees or low in bushes, they seemed to be everywhere. The park was transformed. Did they arrive quietly during the night on the “red eye”? Your guess is as good as ours. Many were undoubtedly just passing through while others, based on observations from years past, will make the park and it’s environs home for the summer decorating the trees with their hanging nests. As you have probably already guessed these brightly colored birds were Baltimore Orioles.
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Even with the arrival of the orioles, other birds including some that are migrants continued to compete for our attention.
Cliff Swallows, a species that in this case builds their communal grouping of nests under a bridge crossing the reservoir, were in the process of gathering nest building material (mud) resulting in a frenzy of activity around a small puddle not far from their nest site, (Donna).
The Cardinal is a beautiful but very common bird in Ohio. We have to remind ourselves not to take it for granted.
Based on the fact that that is where we often saw them, Red-eyed Vireos seemed to really enjoy the Sycamore trees, (Donna).
From a distance, without the aid of binoculars, we first mistake the movement of a Swainson’s Thrush for that of a robin. Many have been seen in the last few days and most are probably just passing through.
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With the leaves just emerging the orioles were easy to spot but that’s changing fast. In a few days, as green continues to embrace trees and bushes, they will be heard but even with their brilliant color they will be much harder to see. Many will move on with other species taking their place as the march of spring migration continues through central Ohio. We will wait expectantly for our next “new for the year” sighting and there undoubtedly will even be another post to celebrate it. Will it be an American Redstart, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, or something else?
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Until then thanks for stopping by.
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Category: Central Ohio Nature, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir Park, Nature Photography, Ohio Nature Tagged: Baltimore Oriole, Blue Bird, Brown Creeper, Canon 80D Sigma 150-600mm lens, Cape May Warbler, Cardinal, Catbird, Cliff Swallows, House Wren, Palm Warbler, Panasonic FZ200, Panasonic Lumix G7 100-400mm, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Redbud, Spotted Sandpiper, Swainson's Thrush, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch
Posted on November 8, 2017
In the back of our mind during outings over the past week has been the thought that we might see the season’s first White-throated Sparrow. For us, along with the arrival of the Dark-eyed Junco, this small bird marks the passing of the season and the certain coming of winter. During breeding, they are found further north in either coniferous or deciduous forests up to tree line in the U.S. and across Canada. During migration and during the winter months central Ohio is just one location they call home.
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Recently, walking along the Scioto River looking for White-throated Sparrows, and perhaps a stray kinglet or two, we stumbled across some slightly larger birds.
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At river’s edge, almost right below the eagles, a young male White-tail deer relaxed. It was apparently not too concerned about the eagles.
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The next day, hoping for additional photos of the eagles that were now nowhere to be found, Golden-crowned Kinglets seemed to be everywhere . . .
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. . . along with a few of their close associates with the exception of “the sparrow”.
Yellow-rumped warblers continue to stick around enjoying the Poison Ivy Berries, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
“Must you take the picture when my mouths full and besides, I’m not a bird!” Red Squirrel, Griggs reservoir Park.
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Wanting to check out a location not previously explored, we decided on Shale Hollow Park, one of Delaware County’s preservation parks. Blustery cold conditions made birding less than optimal, so while birds eluded us we did find something quiet different and no less interesting, concretions. Probably some of the best examples we’ve seen in central Ohio. For us it was proof once again that one should always be open to the wonder of the day.
For those that are curious, “A concretion is a hard, compact mass of matter formed by the precipitation of mineral cement within the spaces between particles, and is found in sedimentary rock or soil. Concretions are often ovoid or spherical in shape. Concretions form within layers of sedimentary strata that have already been deposited. They usually form early in the burial history of the sediment, before the rest of the sediment is hardened into rock. This concretionary cement often makes the concretion harder and more resistant to weathering than the surrounding strata. Concretions have long been regarded as geological curiosities. Because of the variety of unusual shapes, sizes and compositions, concretions have in the past been interpreted to be dinosaur eggs, animal and plant fossils, extraterrestrial debris or human artifacts.” (Wikipedia)
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In addition to concretions, with the coming of wetter weather, there have been other things to appreciate.
Disclaimer: Fungi identifications represent our best effort.
On a fallen branch a, almost too small to see, mushroom pops up through some lichen, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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It’s often when least expected, near the end of a long hike, almost back to the car and too tired to care, that what we seek appears. Such was the case with the White-throated Sparrow.
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Some may wonder what the big deal is. Why is seeing a sparrow so meaningful? For many who spend time in nature the answer is simple; seeing a white-throated Sparrow brings expression to a sense of connectedness to a world much bigger than ourselves. We usually first hear and then see the sparrow and for the time it sees fit we are in its presence. It in turn acknowledges us in its own unique way. This small, seemingly fragile, creature has travelled perhaps a thousand miles and during this brief fleeting moment we are part of each other’s world. Next summer if we look, we will not find it. It will again be further north engaged in its own dance to the cycle of life. This wonder graces our lives with the appearance of the first spring wildflowers, the larger than life sound of spring peepers, the spring migration of the many too beautiful to imagine warblers, the sight and sound of a distant summer thunderstorm, the call of the loon on a northern lake, the color of leaves as a low autumn sun filters the branches, and the slow quiet descent of winter’s first snowflakes.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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XXX
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Should you wish prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. If you don’t find it on the link drop us a line.
Category: Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir Park, Nature Photography, Ohio Nature, Shale Hollow Park Tagged: Amanita muscaria var. guessowii, Blue Bird, Canon 80D Sigma 150-600mm lens, Downy Woodpecker, Dryad's Saddle, Eastern Phoebe, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Panasonic FZ200, Panasonic Lumix G7 100-400mm, Pink Polypore, Radiating Phlebia, Red Squirrel, Rusty Polypore, Shaggy Mane, Sony A7 28mm Canon FD, Split-pore Polypore, Turkey Tail, White Tail Deer, White-throated Sparrow, Witches' Butter, Wood Ear, Yellow-rumped Warbler
Posted on July 12, 2017
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.
A male Red-winged Blackbird seemed concerned about our presence. Perhaps a nest was nearby. Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery.
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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).
A Meadow Fritillary is joined by some of it’s closest friends on Butterfly Weed, Big Darby Headwaters.
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Over the past few days there’s been no shortage of things to see closer to home.
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Even in our backyard . . .
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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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Should you wish prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. If you don’t find it on the link drop us a line.
Category: Big Darby River, Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Nature Photography, O'Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, Wildflowers Tagged: Banded Longhorn Flower Beetle, Blue Bird, Calico Pennant, Canon 60D with Sigma 18-300mm, Canon 80D Sigma 150-600mm lens, Coneflower, Depford Pink, Eastern Amberwing, Four-toothed Mason Wasp, Gray Headed Cone flowers, Great Spangled Fritillary, Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, Jewelweed, Meadow Fritillary, Michigan Lily, Monarch Butterfly, Painted Lady, Panasonic FZ200, Panasonic Lumix G7 100-400mm, Red Winged Blackbird, Royal Catchfly, Royal River Cruiser, Silver Spotted Skipper, Snowberry Clearwing Moth, Song Sparrow, Stink Bug, White Campion, White Tail Deer, Yellow Jacket Hover Fly
Posted on May 11, 2017
In recent days we’ve made a number of trips to areas along Griggs Reservoir and the Scioto River not far from our home. It’s spring migration and the challenge is to see how many migrating birds we can spot right in our “neighborhood”. At some point we may change our emphasis and increase the number of trips we take to more distant birding locations, but for now we’re having fun concentrating on places close to home.
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To date the most numerous warblers seen are the Palm and Yellow-rumped. While the Yellow-rumped is very common, with more subtle markings than many of it’s peers, I never tire of finding new beauty when I look at one. At Griggs Park the Baltimore Oriole is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Connecting trees with bright sunlit streaks of orange the males seem to be everywhere. Should an oriole or other bird not be close by, it’s easy to find other things to appreciate this time of year.
The boardwalk at Kiwanis Riverway Park. One of our favorite birding spots. The water level was very high when this shot was taken.
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When we arrive to photograph birds we sometimes find them “still getting ready”,
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some may be busy doing other things,
A female Baltimore Oriole appears to be trying to build a nest out of monofilament fishing line in Griggs Park. We try to pick up lost or discarded fishing line and tackle whenever we see it.
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while most are usually ready when we get there,
It appears that this Chickadee has been spending entirely too much time with it’s Tufted Titmouse friends, Griggs Park.
Seeing this White-crowned Sparrow was a real treat, Griggs Park. “White-crowned Sparrows typically breed in the far north in open or shrubby habitats, including tundra, high alpine meadows, and forest edges. Patches of bare ground and grasses are important characteristics. During winter and on migration these birds frequent thickets, . . . “, from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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but a few are just trying to get away.
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Other birds were engaged in finding a find a dry perch, made all the more challenging by recent heavy rains.
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Many flowers have undoubtedly benefitting from the recent rain.
The flower of the Tulip Tree. Native to eastern North America from southern Ontario and Illinois eastward to Massachusetts and Rhode Island and south to central Florida and Louisiana, Tulip Trees can grow to more than 160 ft in virgin cove forests of the Appalachian Mountains. (Wikipedia)
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You never know what might be hiding next to a flower.
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Heading back to the car at the end of one outing, my sharp eyed wife spotted three Northern Water Snakes celebrating the season. The males are quite a bit smaller than the female. These snakes are fairly common along the river and reservoir. However, unlike the various species of turtles which always seem to be around, they aren’t often seen so it was a real treat to see them!
Large female with two smaller male Northern Water Snakes, Griggs Park. They mate from April through June and do not lay eggs like many other snakes. Instead, the mother carries the eggs inside her body and gives birth to free living young and may have as many as thirty at a time, but the average is eight. They are born between August and October. Mothers do not care for their young; as soon as they are born, they are on their own. (Wikipedia)
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After missing shots of numerous fast moving warblers and the recent challenge when I tried to capture the Black and White, I’ve decided to upgrade my otherwise excellent Canon 60D camera body to a Canon 80D. For the time being the bird camera lens will continue be a Sigma 150-500mm. Future posts will reveal how well it all works out. Thanks for stopping by.
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PS: As is often the case, Molly Cat sat watching intently as I finished this blog. I’m glad I’m not a mouse!
XXX
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Should you wish, prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. If you don’t find it on the link drop us a line.
Category: Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir, Ohio Nature, photography, Wildflowers Tagged: American Robin, Baltimore Oriole, Black and White Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Blue Bird, Butterweed, Canon 50D with 135mm FD lens, Canon 60D with Sigma 150-500mm, Carolina Chickadee, Chipping Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Fishing Spider, Fleabane, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Hobblebush, House Wren, Large Flowered Valerian, Mallard Duck, Northern Water Snake, Palm Warbler, Panasonic ZS50, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Tree Swallow, Tulip Tree, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler
Posted on September 26, 2016
The last few days found us paddling Griggs Reservoir. This time of year we always hope that staying close to the shoreline will result in warbler sightings and perhaps a few pictures. With warblers and other migrants moving through it’s a good time of year. In recent days on the reservoir we’ve even seen Mink along the banks and while walking just south of the dam my wife caught the tail end of a Bald Eagle as it flew overhead.
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A number of immature Black-crowned Night Herons have also been seen, encouraging because of our recent discovery of one that had met it’s demise at the business end of a abandoned fishing line.
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Other things were also seen as we made our way along the shore.
Two Wood Ducks seemingly amused by a Painted Turtle or is it the other way around, Griggs reservoir.
Painted Turtles enjoy posing for the camera much more than some of the other species we encounter, (Donna)
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Walking Griggs Park has been more productive for seeing as well as photographing warblers and other small birds mostly because of the difficulty in controlling and positioning the canoe in the pursuit of small active birds.
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If the warblers aren’t cooperating there may be a butterfly, not always rare, but one we’ve not noticed before.
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Fishing is also getting better as the weather cools with time taken off between casts to do a little house keeping along the shore. What can I say, it’s always there, but as those who read this blog already know, it makes me feel better to pick it up.
Unlike fish that are always returned to the water, the trash covering the bottom of the canoe is not “Catch and Release”!
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But recently real magic was discovered within the world of the very small when we spotted countless damselflies mating on fallen autumn leaves floating on the reservoir’s calm surface as we paddled back to our launch site during the warmth of the day. We’d never seen anything like that before.
The bigger the leaf the more damselflies. Sometimes, as we got close, they would swarm over the canoe.
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That’s about it for this post. For us living in northern regions autumn is a great time to be out in nature. A feeling borne from the knowledge that this fleeting time will not last. Thanks for stopping by.
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Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.
Category: Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, fishing in central ohio, Griggs Reservoir, Ohio Nature, Scioto River Tagged: Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue Bird, Canon 60D with Sigma 150-500mm, Cardinal, Carolina Wren, Checked Skipper, Chipping Sparrow, Dusky Dancer, Eastern Phoebe, Great Blue Heron, Painted Turtle, Panasonic ZS50, Red-tailed Hawk, Smallmouth Bass, Wood Duck
Posted on June 11, 2016
Whether paddling or walking our explorations in the last week or so have been very close to home in Griggs Park and the reservoir. We hardly feel deprived. As the pictures below will attest, especially in the case of my wife, the closer you look the more you see.
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Some of the flowers we are now seeing will continue to bloom for most of the summer. Others will not. Part of the ever changing scene.
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Some things seen have been unusual. Many thanks to New Hampshire Garden Solutions for help in identifying what was going on in the following pic, Elm Pouch Galls.
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While we are still hearing them, many birds choose to peer at us from behind the leaf cover so my wife has directed more of her attention to more cooperative subjects.
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Look even closer and you’ll see tiny insects with jewel like qualities.
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Thankfully not all of our feathered friends were in hiding.
We haven’t had much luck getting a close pic so far this year but we did catch the male Baltimore Oriole along the Scioto below Griggs Dam, ZS50.
With so many beautiful Great Blue Herons along the reservoir so it hard to resist taking a picture, Canon 60D sigma 150-500.
We watched this Great Blue Heron for some time as he struggled and went through all kinds of contortions but never did see him swallow the poor fish which by heron standards wasn’t all that large, ZS50.
As we walk along park path, just overhead a Turkey Vulture sizes us up, “Still Moving, @?%#!!!”, ZS50
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And a few other creatures too.
Sunfish, sometimes what a fish lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. This little fella went swimming right after the pic, Griggs Reservoir, Canon SD850.
Looking like somewhere in northern Michigan a deer crosses the Scioto north of Griggs Reservoir, (Donna), FZ200.
Not seen as often as Map Turtles and Red-eared Sliders, we were excited to see two Painted Turtles enjoying the sun along the Griggs Reservoir shore, (Donna), FZ200.
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Sometimes it’s good to just step back and admire it all from a distance.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Category: butterflies, canoeing, Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Fungi, Griggs Reservoir, Ohio Nature, photography, Scioto River, Wildflowers Tagged: Baltimore Oriole, Black Swallowtail, Blue Bird, Blue Flag Iris, Bronze Copper Butterfly, Canon 3ti 18-135mm lens, Canon 60D with Sigma 150-500mm, Canon SD850, Clouded Sulfur, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Pondhawk, Elm Pouch Galls, Great Blue Heron, Hairy Ruellia, Mallard Duck, Northern Catalpa, Osprey, Ox-eye Daisies, Painted Turtle, Panasonic FZ200, Panasonic ZS50, Peck's Skipper, Powdered Dancer, Robin, Rough-fruted Cinquefoil, Stream Bluet, Sunfish, Turkey Vulture, White Tail Deer, White-breasted Nuthatch, Widow Skimmer, Zebulon Skipper
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