Posted on April 22, 2017
This post is a bit of a ramble covering our adventures in central Ohio nature over the past week. A search for wildflowers and warblers in area metro parks, a visit to a local city park to see if any warblers were passing through and finally the first long kayak paddle of the year. So I hope you enjoy the ride.
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In the spring wildflowers and migrating warblers are usually what comes to mind not turkeys. For me turkeys have always been a fall bird usually associated with a big meal that includes stuffing, gravy, and all the fixins. So a few days ago at Blendon Woods Metro Park it was a bit of a surprise to see a male turkey doing it’s best to convince a female that they should get together.
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The purpose of the trip to Blendon was to look for warblers. We were successful in spotting a few including a Black-throated Green which without to much effort eluded the camera’s lens. While we did see a few, we soon found ourselves seduced by the many wildflowers that were in bloom.
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When not looking at wildflowers or for warblers there were other things . . .
One of a least two mature albino squirrels seen. How they evade the hawks long enough to reach adulthood is a mystery to me.
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The day following our trip to Blendon Woods we headed to Clear Creek Metro Park for what turned out to be a rather long hike. Spring is especially fascinating at Clear Creek with a number of plants not found elsewhere in Ohio. The number of butterflies seen (Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Commas, Morning Cloaks, etc.) but not photographed, was truly amazing.
Squaw Root, a perennial, non-photosynthesizing parasitic plant, native but not endemic to North America, when blooming resembles a pine cone or cob of corn growing from the roots of mostly oak and beech trees, (Wikipedia), Clear Creek Metro Park.
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Closer to home within the city limits of Columbus along the Scioto River and Griggs Reservoir spring was also in full swing.
In week or so ago I spotted this pair of Blue jays starting work on a nest. They must have given up on that location as no nest was found on this particular day, Griggs park.,
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Out on the reservoir there was also lot’s of activity, much of which eluded the camera’s lens, but some subjects cooperated just long enough. Spotted Sandpipers, turtles, Great Blue Herons, and Great Egrets seemed to be everywhere. As I have undoubtedly mentioned in the past, shooting from a canoe or kayak has it’s own set of challenges, camera shake and the fact that everything is moving just to name a few, so when one gets a relatively good picture it’s truly cause for celebration. When paddling the kayak certain limitations are excepted so a relatively small light superzoom is usually what is taken. It’s easy to tuck out of the way and if it happens go swimming it’s not the end of the world.
Very small Red-eared Slider getting ready to attempt a double-backflip with a twist , Griggs Reservoir.
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In the last week not far from our home it seemed that no matter which way we turned there was something wonderful to see. We hope that’s been your experience also. 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.
Category: Birding in Ohio, Blendon Woods Metro Park, butterflies, Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir, Ohio Nature, photography, Wildflowers Tagged: Albino Squirrel, American Goldfinch, Black haw viburnum, Blackberry Flowers, Blue Jay, Blue Phlox, Bluets, Buckeye, Buttercup, Canon 60D with Sigma 150-500mm, Canon SX40, Coltsfoot, Darter, Dogwood, Duskywing, Fire Pink, Foamflower, Fox Squirrel, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Jacobs Ladder, Northern Flicker, Panasonic FZ150, Panasonic FZ200, Pussytoes, Red Winged Blackbird, Redbud, Rue Anemone, Shooting Star, Solomon's Seal, Spicebush Swallowtail, Spotted Sandpiper, Squawroot, Toadshade Trillium, Trout Lilly, Turkey, Violet Wood Sorrel, Violets, Virginia Bluebells, White-throated Sparrow, Wild Geranium, Wild Ginger, Yellow-throated Warbler
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