Posted on December 25, 2021
Somewhere in the overhead branches of a neighborhood tree a Nuthatch is speaking. They do that often in a voice that leaves little room for reply so we content ourselves just to listen. Try as we might we never did see that particular bird. A voice evoking mystery in a tree’s tangled up-reaching branches. Such mystery is accepted because we know, given enough time, one will undoubtedly descend to an eye-level branch and pursue a more formal introduction.
The Brown Creeper’s presence often only becomes apparent when small subtle movements are detected on a tree trunk or branch. Stopping, they often seem to disappear and in doing so say “pay attention there is more to this place than you are aware!”
Sometimes we just smile as, in the midst of our observing, it becomes obvious that we are also being observed.
Illuminated by the low December sun, the vibrant color of an Eastern Bluebird contrasts with the dull muted landscape and reminds us that beauty is an exception and wouldn’t be if it were otherwise.
In the winter, as if by magic, some birds just appear. We don’t see them arrive and we won’t see them leave. In this brief moment in time, they are with us and become part of our lives should we choose.
Sometimes the realization doesn’t match the expectation. By December most migrating warblers are long gone but the Yellow-rumped enjoys food items other than just insects so many remain in central Ohio through the winter.
Our awareness has its limits as the nearby presence of an immature Red-tailed Hawk remined me. While I was distracted by another bird it remained unnoticed until it moved its head. How much do we miss or are never aware of?
In the winter woods it is often our intention is to see Golden-crowned Kinglets. It’s a bird that is no stranger to us so part of its allure or that of any other charming, but often inconspicuous, creature must be that they draw us into a world that embraces and also transcends us. Unlike spring when the scent of a flower may grab our attention, in December we must rely on the limits of our hearing and sight. With these meager tools we will find our boundaries expanding if we pay close attention. Each visit to the habitat of kinglets allows us to become part of a world that continues on in an unfolding mystery.
***
Wishing everyone a very Happy Holiday!
***
Category: Central Ohio Nature Tagged: Brown Creeper, Eastern Bluebird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Northern Cardinal, Red-tailed Hawk
Posted on January 1, 2021
Yesterday, at a park near our home on a rather nondescript winter day, we ushered out 2020 with a little help from our friends. These friends have been reliable companions through a difficult year, but on the year’s last day, or perhaps because it was the year’s last day, their importance hit home more forcefully. There is no need to reflect on the love that develops between a person and their pet as most of us have known that. However, to experience a similar connection with creatures that make a living in the environment of trees, brush, fields, and waterways that surround us, owing us nothing, is truly special. Some days, as we walk, their numbers may be less, and the cast of characters may vary, but with their often cheerful dispositions and curious antics they are always there. For just a moment in time we celebrate the shared experience of life.
There are always Mallards but in December we’ve also been fortunate to see Hooded Mergansers on a regular basis along the Scioto River.
A few days ago we spotted Sandhill Cranes heading south. On that day there were numerous sightings around the city.
Numerous pairs of Eastern Bluebirds occupy Griggs Reservoir Park in the winter. There almost electric blue never fails to put a smile on our face.
.
Wishing everyone all the best for the coming year. One where time spent with friends and family again becomes the norm.
Posted on December 17, 2020
Opening the door this time of year and venturing out into nature isn’t something most of us feel compelled to do. The landscape certainly doesn’t perk one’s curiosity. The wildlife that may be seen, which includes birds for the most part, have often migrated further south.
.
However, with it’s lack of leaf cover, the landscape offers one good reason to pass through the door and see what’s still in the neighborhood or what may have moved in from further north. With their endearing behavior and colors that are often a cheerful contrast to their surroundings, birds are a welcome part of the December woods.
A resident all year long in Griggs Reservoir Park, the Carolina Wren’s song and chatter are especially welcome this time of year, (Donna).
Typically the only heron to hang around through the winter, the Great Blue is always a welcome sight along the Scioto River, (Donna).
A winter visitor from the north, the Dark-eyed Junco usually moves in small flocks and typically stays close to the ground. A fun bird to watch, (Donna).
A year round resident that’s always up to something, this Red-bellied Woodpecker has apparently found something to it’s liking, (Donna).
The White-breasted Nuthatch arguably adds more cheer to the winter woods than any other bird, (Donna).
Seen more often than the White-crowned, the the White-throated Sparrow is another sparrow we look for this time of the year, (Donna).
In recent years, with the increase in the Catbird population, Mocking Birds have become a rare sight in central Ohio. Seeing this one was a real treat.
Sometimes solitary and sometimes in a group of titmouse and chickadees the Downy Woodpecker is hard to ignore.
As if out of nowhere a Brown Creeper suddenly appears. These birds may be present in the summer months but leaf cover makes them much harder to find.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are not seen as often a some of the other central Ohio woodpeckers. This view would have been obscured by leaves in the summer.
Year-round residents in Griggs Reservoir Park, Eastern Bluebirds also bring joy to the December landscape.
With a beautiful song, Song Sparrows are a year-round resident but are pretty quiet this time of year.
The Red-breasted Nuthatch is another migrant from the north. I had to content myself with a feeder picture of this one at a Greenlawn Cemetery.
Ice covered waterways further north have brought waterfowl south. In a local flooded quarry these Buffleheads were no exception.
***
In recent days some really special birds have graced us with their presence.
Not far from our home an American Kestrel makes it’s it’s home in a nondescript area of tall grass, brush, and trees adjacent to a quarry.
Perhaps the most noteworthy was a immature Snowy Owl that had travelled from the north country to hang out in central Ohio. They typically eat voles, lemmings, and other small rodents as well as birds so a shortage of such goodies further north is undoubtedly the reason for the visit. Seeing one this close to Columbus is rare.
.
Time spent in nature seldom disappoints. The observant eye will always find something that inspires and rewards. One only needs to open the door.
.
Thanks for stopping by.
Category: Central Ohio Nature, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir, Griggs Reservoir Park Tagged: American Cardinal, American Kestrel, Brown Creeper, Bufflehead, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, Great Blue Heron, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl, Song Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied sapsucker
Posted on November 16, 2020
While walking a few days ago we witnessed a unique display of natures beauty. Unlike many times in November when wind tears at trees and sends autumn color spiraling high overhead and then down to a final resting place, on this particular day the almost bare branches stood completely motionless, in the absence of even the lightest zephyr, while the late afternoon sun seem to transform their remaining leaves into glass sculptors of translucent amber and gold. An experience easily missed had we been absorbed in thoughts of the world or our country’s woes, past, present, or future.
.
In spring and summer we enjoy the warm embrace of life in the form of trees, flowers, insects, birds, and other living things. Now we must quietly look much closer. Sometimes in doing so we may be rewarded with with a fleeting glimpse of a wren.
.
.
Often when surveying the dull landscape of late fall, it’s hard to believe anything else will appear that will be as charming as the wrens, but surprisingly:
Fortified by poison ivy berries and similar delicacies Yellow-rumped Warblers often hang around well into the fall.
While hiking at Battelle Darby Creek MP in early November, after already having a period of cold weather, we were surprised by the emergence of Eastern Comma butterflies. There were so many that we lost count.
A male House Finch enjoys an invasive honeysuckle berry. Probably the main way this plant has spread, (Donna).
Winter can’t be far away when Dark Eyed Juncos are seen foraging for fallen seeds below your feeders.
.
.
Looking ahead to days wrapped in winter’s brittle chill I’m remined that no matter whether one spends time with a friend or among the trees there are always opportunities for discovery if one doesn’t live by rote and is truly present in the moment.
.
Thanks for stopping by.
Category: Big Darby River, Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir Park Tagged: Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Comma, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Gray Squirrel, House Finch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, Winter Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler
Posted on January 6, 2020
On a long urban hike to work off the transgressions of the holidays, the morning was dark, cold, and wet, with light rain trying to turn to snow, and wind periodically gusting to remind one that it was colder than originally thought. Heading for the park through quiet residential streets, I wondered if any of the small friends that often inhabit the trees and brush along the river, would be there to greet me.
Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Easter Bluebird, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing.
.
Perhaps it was the chill and dreariness of the day, kept at bay by the pace of my stride, until, pausing for a time, I was warmed by the sight of such seemingly delicate creatures “cheerfully” going about their business. I do not know for sure. But in the contrast of the moment I was captured by their magic. A play of pure joy and color acted out against the seasons dull colors of gray and brown on a stage perfectly set.
.
Thanks for stopping by.
Posted on December 22, 2019
When I was a kid growing up in Michigan, I wished for a white Christmas and hoped the snow, with periodic additions of fresh whiteness, would stick around until spring. While my wish was never completely realized, being 150 miles north of where I live now, winter was a more satisfying if not tiring experience.
(Images may be clicked on for a better view)
The low December light pierces the open canopy revealing patterns in leaves and the geometry of trees and river.
.
A few days ago, we woke up to a light covering of white. We rushed down to our local city park before too many foot steps marred it’s beauty. Now, despite colder temperatures, the snow is mostly gone, the victim of wind and sublimation. Winters are like that in central Ohio. Cold temperatures, when they come, often leave the dry, naked, and shivering landscape wishing for a warm white blanket. But while not a paradise for lovers of snow, for those willing to venture out and look carefully, this time of year provides an opportunity to enjoy a subtle beauty and be entertained by creatures making this place their winter home.
.
It was very faint but unmistakable. You know how woodpeckers can be. Looking up into branches in the adjacent woods, it seemed hopeless. How about just looking for dead branches . . .
***
.
One advantage to living in an area subject to cold temperatures, but with little snow, is that ice is free to express itself.
.
In the summer we don’t notice as many Eastern Bluebirds, a gift of the colder months?
.
Not far from their downriver nest, Bald Eagles are seen more often along the reservoir this time of year.
***
.
With the reservoir frozen, a pair of Hooded Mergansers were spotted in the open water of the river just below the dam. Eventually, if the reservoir stays ice covered, they will be joined by Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, and other waterfowl not commonly seen in the area.
.
These images were taken before realizing that the White-breasted Nuthatch it was eating lichen. An unexpected revelation.
.
A quick look through the binoculars revealed it to be a Mockingbird which was a real treat as we couldn’t remember the last time one was seen in the park . . . then, one very average photo, and it was gone.
.
There are a countless number of American Robins in the park this time of year. They are everywhere, and with their antics provide endless entertainment.
.
Brown Creepers are not easy to spot. Sometimes their faint call is heard before they are seen. Their erratic movement make them a difficult subject to photograph.
.
While working on a dead branch, this male red-bellied woodpecker really showed off it’s red head.
Other local residents, as will as migrants from the north, have also entertained us in the last few days.
White-throated Sparrows can be found in Ohio in the winter but call the forests across Canada, the northeastern U.S., and the northern Midwest their summer home.
.
A fox squirrel ran up the tree and hid just as I walked up causing my wife to miss a “good” picture. She had to make due with the image below.
***
***
This morning while standing in front of our church greeting incoming worshipers, a ruby-crowned kinglet flew into a nearby evergreen, paused for a moment as if to look my way, then flew off. Enchanted by what was an unusual occurrence, I had an extra big smile for the next group of parishioners. In nature the usual can also become enchanting, and in that enchantment, we may lose ourselves and in doing so find that we have become part of something much greater. We wish everyone the happiest of holidays and a wonderful new year!
.
Thanks for stopping by.
.
Category: Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir, Griggs Reservoir Park, Nature Photography, nature writing, Ohio Nature, Scioto River Tagged: American Robin, Bald Eagle, Brown Creeper, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Fox Squirrel, Hooded Merganser, Mockingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, White-throated Sparrow
Building meaningful and joyful connections to nature
An arts & literary journal
We only live once. Hence, let's not stop dreaming
Getaways to the authentic Florida
An exploration of walks, hikes and other experiences
Learning to embrace nature and appreciate the beauty around us every day
You can find a rich experience close to home.
By Sandra Js Photography - Make the rest of your life the best of your life.
Chesapeake Bay's Nature & Wildlife Beauty Through My Lens
The life of an elderly Londoner and her travels.
A look at life in the borders
Insight, information, and inspiration for the inquisitive nature photographer
The Wildlife in Nature
Home of Lukas Kondraciuk Photography
Ellen Grace Olinger
Only the Sense of the Sacred can Save us
Nature photography
My journey through photography