Central Ohio NatureA Thankful Reflection
Posted on December 31, 2017
The last day of 2017, what better time to stop for a moment and reflect back to the wonders of nature seen in central Ohio in the past year.
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Griggs Reservoir.
Bald Eagle along the Scioto below Griggs Dam.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Golden Crown Kinglet, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Along the Scioto River
Tufted Titmouse, (Donna).
November reflection, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Covered Bridge, Mohican State Park.
The Big Darby, Prairie Oaks Metro Park
Buckeye, (Donna).
Monarch, (Donna).
Griggs Reservoir
Solitary leaf
Chicory
Design, (Donna).
Red-spotted Purple, (Donna).
Alum Creek Reservoir, (Donna).
Autumn color.
Black-crowned Night Heron, Griggs Reservoir.
Giant Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar.
Mink, Au Sable River MI, (Donna).
Au Sable River Smallmouth, MI, (Donna).
Devoe Lake, MI.
Cardinal Flowers, Rifle River Rec, Area, MI.
Turtlehead, Rifle River Rec. Area. MI.
Common Loons, Devoe Lake, MI, (Donna).
Meal time, Devoe lake, MI
Caspian Tern, Loud Pond, Au Sable River, MI.
Catbirds, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Griggs Reservoir waterfall.
Yellow-throated Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Common Checkered Skipper, (Donna).
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Red Admiral, (Donna).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Cliff Swallows, (Donna).
Gray Squirrel.
Baltimore Oriole.
Mohican River, Mohican State Park.
Prothonotary Warbler
Green Heron, Griggs Reservoir
Yellow-collared Scape Moth, (Donna).
Northern Water Snake.
Red-eyed Vireo, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Great Blue Heron, Scioto River, (Donna).
Hayden Run Falls
Mating Northern Water Snakes, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Scarlet Tanager, Griggs Reservoir Park.
White-crowned Sparrow, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Palm Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Turkey, Blendon Woods Metro Park, (Donna).
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Looking at the landscape as we walked along the Scioto River yesterday it’s hard to believe it’s the same place. Very cold weather has made the river below the dam one of the few stretches of open water that waterfowl can now call home.
Hooded Mergansers.
More robins than we could count took turns getting a cool drink at waters edge.
Ring-necked Ducks.
The Scioto River below Griggs Dam
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As always, thanks for stopping by and have a Happy New Year!
Late Spring Celebration; A Warbler and Much More
Posted on June 15, 2017
Nature unfolds and reveals itself like a flower, first reluctantly and then with grace. Armed with just a little curiosity, looking with intention, and allowing yourself to be in the moment and place, rewards one with new wonder. Seeing and appreciating more each time.
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In the past few days, still interested in finding warblers, we visited Prairie Oaks Metro Park and closer to home Griggs Reservoir Park in the hopes of seeing a few stragglers. With the exception of the Prothonotary, the warblers didn’t cooperate but fortunately other things did. Whether it’s warblers or “other things” we’re always amazed by the celebration of life this time of year and the beauty that’s often found in the ordinary. The pictures below were taken over just a few outings, typically involving walks of at least two or three miles, sometimes longer, as we search for birds, bugs, and plants. It is a source of continuous fascination that so much can be found so close to home in central Ohio.
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A shaft of light finds grass along a stream, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
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It’s always nice when “the reptiles” decide to join the cast.
Next to the path a turtle acts none to happy about our presence, Prairie Oak Metro Park.
A Bullfrog shows a nice profile, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
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Still in “warbler mode” on a recent outing, we weren’t prepared for all the insects we would see.
Familiar Bluet, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Inch Worm, (Donna).
Daddy Longlegs, (Donna)
Spicebush Swallowtail
Silver Spotted Skipper, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
A very common Cabbage White, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Painted Lady, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Virginia Ctenucha, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Viceroy, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Eight-spotted Forester Moth, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Large Lace-boarder Moth, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Milkweed Beetle, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Silvery Checkerspot, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Green Bee on Coneflower, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Hackberry Emperor, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Where there are bees and butterflies there will be wildflowers or maybe it’s the other way around.
Butterfly Weed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
In grassy areas and meadows English Plantain is everywhere, Griggs Reservoir Park is no exception.
Very small bees visit the very small flowers of the English Plantain.
Hairy Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis), Griggs Reservoir Park.
Black-eyed Susans, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Thimbleweed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Early Meadow Rue, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Day Lily, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Goatsbeard, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Moth Mullein, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Chicory, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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While we were excited to see Prothonotary Warblers nesting so close to home there was no storage of other birds to fascinate.
We’d been seeing this nesting Prothonotary Warbler for a few weeks in Griggs Reservoir Park. We finally were able to get some pictures.
It must be nesting nearby because at one point it was observed taking food to it’s young.
Preening.
No spot is missed!
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is not common this time of year in Griggs reservoir Park.
A Downy Woodpecker making effective use of it’s tail, Griggs Reservoir Park.
An adult Killdeer tries to get our attention, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
It tries a little harder, something must be going on.
Sure enough!
A male Baltimore Oriole makes it’s presence known in Griggs Reservoir Park. It’s been a great year for these birds in the park.
This Northern Flicker, often seen in a fairly localized area, must have a nest nearby, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Numerous Catbirds continue to entertain in Griggs Reservoir Park.
A Mallard keeps an eye on us as we walk along the water in Griggs Reservoir Park.
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A stream benefits from recent rain in Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
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Nature unfolds and reveals itself like a flower, first reluctantly and then with grace. May you be rewarded with new wonder, seeing and appreciating more each time.
Chipmunk, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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XXX
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Summer Wildflowers, Butterflies, and a Few Birds
Posted on July 28, 2016
We’ve been busy documenting nature’s summer in central Ohio. If you are fascinated by insects this is your time of year but be prepared to look closely. The summer heat has done little to discourage the wildflowers which in a shout of color announce their presence. The below shots were taken along Griggs Reservoir and Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. I hope they put you in a summer kind of mood.
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Milk Weed Beetle, Griggs Park, Donna
Wild Lettuce, Griggs Park, Donna
Halberd-leaved Rose-mallow, Griggs Park, Donna
Wild Potato Vine, Griggs Park, Donna
Barely seen, dragonflies hover over a reflection, Griggs Reservoir
Fallen branch and wildflowers, Griggs Park
Gray Headed Cone Flowers, Griggs Park
Cup Plant, Griggs Park
Wild Chicory, Griggs Park
Path to the water, Griggs Park
Thistle, Griggs Park
Pearl Crescent, Griggs Park
Wasp, Griggs Park, Donna
Eastern Pondhawk,(F), Griggs Park, Donna
Wing Stem, Griggs Park, Donna
Goldfinch, Griggs Park, Donna
Hackberry Emperor, Griggs Park, Donna
Fireworks in green, Griggs park, Donna
Biennial Gaura, Griggs Park, Donna
Widow Skimmer (F), Griggs Park, Donna
Least Skipper, Griggs Park, Donna
Rose Pink, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Donna
Leopard Frog, Battelle Darby Greek Metro Park, Donna
Hummingbird Moth, Battelle Derby Creek Metro Park, Donna
Phlox, Griggs Park, Donna
Catbird, Griggs Park, Donna
Ducklings, Griggs Park, Donna
Fishing, Griggs Reservoir, Donna
Black Swallowtail, Griggs Park, Donna
Hairy Wood Mint, Griggs Park, Donna
Coneflowers, Griggs Park
Peck’s Skipper, Griggs Park
Eastern Wood Pewee, Griggs Park
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Royal Catchfly, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Sunflower, Griggs Park
Royal Catchfly, a closer look.
Looking for Bison, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Bison, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Bluebird, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Kingbird, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Barn Swallow, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Luna Moth on our house.
Quiet morning, Griggs Reservoir
Great Blue Heron, Griggs Reservoir
Black Crowned Night Heron, Griggs Reservoir
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Hope you enjoyed this summer celebration of nature in central Ohio. Thanks for stopping by.
Little Things and The Whole
Posted on June 18, 2016
Sometimes when in nature it’s not about a new discovery to photograph, it’s about being in the moment, awake, content with the “usual” flowers, insects, or birds, their motion, colors, sounds, feeling the cool early morning air, drawing it into our lungs, aware as treetop leave rustle and small ripples appear along the reservoir shore.
Reflection of a small branch breaking the water’s surface.
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But even during those times, in that experience, we do see things that draw us out, that asked to be photographed, and in doing so embrace us in a feeling of oneness with something that is part but also beyond ourselves. In that moment time, as if also captured by the photograph, stands still.
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Recent dry weather has resulted in low water levels.
Scioto River below Griggs Dam.
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Flower’s continue to be a part of the wonder.
Moth mullein, an invasive species native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has naturalized in North America..
White Mulberry, Griggs Park.
Scarlet Pimpernel, probably an escapee, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Backyard Day Lily.
Thimbleweed, Griggs Park.
Butterfly Weed, Griggs Park.
Motherwort, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Chicory, Griggs Park.
Pokeweed, Griggs Park.
Wild Lettuce, (Donna), Griggs Park.
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When looking at flowers other things are seen.
Female Powdered Dancer, (Donna) Griggs Park.
Female Blue Fronted Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Stream Bluets, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Blue Fronted Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Powdered Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Dusky Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Widow Skimmer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Question Mark, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Question Mark, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Bronze Copper, Griggs Park.
Hackberry Emperor, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Hackberry Emperor, Griggs Park.
Crane Fly along the Scioto River below Griggs Dam.
Black and Yellow Wasp, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Canadian Petrophila Moths, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Black Swallowtail caterpillar, (Donna) Griggs Park.
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On a recent walk an Osprey was spotted in what appeared to be an agitated state.
Osprey being dive bombed by a Baltimore Oriole. Along the Scioto below Griggs Dam
The oriole kept at it.
The Osprey finally flew away.
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We’ve also been fortunate to enjoy a few other birds.
Eastern Phoebe, (immature), Griggs Park.
Baltimore Oriole, Griggs Park.
With an insect.
Prothonotary warbler, (immature) Griggs Park. We have at least two nesting pairs along the reservoir and river just below the dam.
Griggs Reservoir nature.
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There seem to be lots of chipmunks right now.
Chipmunk, (Donna), Griggs Park.
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Being a mom isn’t easy.
All right kids could you swim the other way I’m getting dizzy.
That’s better!
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Sometimes being in nature just means relaxing.
Not a lunker but a nice Smallmouth Bass that went swimming right after this picture, Griggs Reservoir.
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Sometimes the opportunity to reflect on what’s been experienced is as good as reliving it a second time.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Treasures and Trash
Posted on November 4, 2012
Often we decide to do an urban hike which takes us along the eastern shoreline of Griggs. The urban hike, about a six-mile loop in our case, reflects our desire to get some exercise without getting in the car. Being close to Griggs provides a chance to observe wildlife as well as the various plants growing along the reservoir. A small pair of binoculars as well as a superzoom camera are usually part of our equipment.
The first of November is not the time of year one expects to see a lot, but we hoped for some interesting waterfowl and maybe of few woodpeckers. Given the recent cold weather, we were surprised to still see Sunflowers, Black-eyed Susans, and Chicory. All of which looked a little tired but we marveled at their resiliency. Along the reservoir, taking closer looks at flowers invariably results in seeing discarded bottles and cans. A decent amount of time is spent picking up these items, but we seem to always be rewarded with a new flower or bird during our efforts. Some times it’s as though the birds know what we’re doing and come around as an act of appreciation.
We observed how plants, such as Common Mullien, look very different in autumn without their flowering stalks but very much standing out against the fallen leaves. Along with more wildflowers than expected, we did see a few birds; Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Cedar Wax Wings, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Downy and Red Belly Woodpeckers, Tufted Tittmouse and Chickadees.
It was a good walk!
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Thanks for stopping by.
