Central Ohio NatureWhat Are They Eating?
Posted on January 12, 2020
We love watching the behavior of the birds at our front yard feeders. Each species seems to have a slightly different style for relieving a feeder of it’s contents. Chickadees fly off to a nearby branch with just one seed, then, while holding it between feet and branch, devour it before returning for another. It would seem that this method expends more energy than is consumed but apparently not. House sparrows are at the other extreme. They make expectant squirrels on the ground below happy as they gorge themselves, scattering seeds everywhere, and bickering with each other the whole time. However, even though we enjoy the feeders, we have found the foraging behavior of birds in their natural habitats to be the most fascinating.
Observers of golden-crowned kinglets know they are constantly in motion. They flutter from branch to branch, sometimes landing sometimes not, grabbing food items that are often too small to see. So on a winter day with temperatures well below freezing what are they finding on the many small nondescript branches, some less than a quarter inch in diameter? If they were probing crevasses in gnarly tree bark it might be easier to guess. Cornell Lab, All About Birds says; “In winter the kinglets also eat small amounts of seeds and may forage in brush piles and under-story trees. . . . Golden-crowned Kinglets forage in similar parts of a tree as Ruby-crowned Kinglets and chickadees.” Since, even when studied with the binoculars, the branches appeared to contain no seeds or dormant insects, the menu items were only obvious to them. A mystery not completely solved.
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Later the same day, we watch a downy woodpecker work over a small branch. In this case it was a little easier to see what was going on but in some ways no less mysterious. An obvious hole had been made in the branch but certainly no insects would be living below it’s very thin bark. Was the bird after tree sap? Again referring to All About Birds; “Downy Woodpeckers eat mainly insects, including beetle larvae that live inside wood or tree bark as well as ants and caterpillars. They eat pest insects including corn earworm, tent caterpillars, bark beetles, and apple borers. About a quarter of their diet consists of plant material, particularly berries, acorns, and grains.” Since tree sap wasn’t mentioned we’ll have to consider it an unsubstantiated best guess.
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A few days later, it was dull and drab but warmer. Perhaps warm enough to wake dormant insects. Along the rain swollen river bluebirds were perched on the low branches of a sycamore looking for any movement on the ground or in the air. They occasionally swooped to the ground and grabbed something (an insect or a seed?) and then returned to their perch. In the mystery, what ever they found was good enough because tomorrow we will see them again.
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Thanks for stopping by.
A Stage Perfectly Set
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.
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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.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Celebrating The Season
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.
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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.
With snow, the forms of water and trees becomes sublime.
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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 . . .
Working on a warm winter home?
A female Downy works away.
. . . as the male goofs off on a nearby branch.
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Quiet early winter morning along the Scioto.
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One advantage to living in an area subject to cold temperatures, but with little snow, is that ice is free to express itself.
Small icicles and patterns in ice.
Interesting shapes form as river levels recede, (Donna).
Near the river, a small frozen pool, and solstice ice.
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In the summer we don’t notice as many Eastern Bluebirds, a gift of the colder months?
Male Eastern Bluebird, (Donna).
Taking flight.
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Not far from their downriver nest, Bald Eagles are seen more often along the reservoir this time of year.
Perched across the reservoir and too far away for a really good shot..
Doing it’s best to avoid a photograph.
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At river’s edge, the roots of a sycamore struggle to maintain their hold.
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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.
Hooded Mergansers on the Scioto River.
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These images were taken before realizing that the White-breasted Nuthatch it was eating lichen. An unexpected revelation.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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While working on a dead branch, this male red-bellied woodpecker really showed off it’s red head.
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Other local residents, as will as migrants from the north, have also entertained us in the last few days.
Tufted-titmouse, (Donna).
Carolina Chickadee, (Donna).
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.
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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.
***, (Donna).
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Winter along the Scioto River.
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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!
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Thanks for stopping by.
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A Rare Bird
Posted on December 8, 2019
From time to time during our walks close to home we see a rare bird. Two days ago we were excited to see an American Kestrel in an undeveloped area south of Duranceaux Park which is located on the west side of Griggs Reservoir. A particular treat as this small falcon has been in decline in recent years. As with many birds this is most likely due to the destruction of suitable habit. In years past, when more time was spent bicycling Ohio’s quiet rural roads, this small robin size bird was seen on a regular basis, sometimes in the middle of a “lunch” consisting of a field mouse, but always taking flight from the roadside power lines before one could get very close. If not perched, they were often seen hovering over an adjacent field waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey.
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Much more common than the American Kestrel, a number of Red-tailed Hawks have been seen recently.
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Some of the more usual suspects have also graced us with their presence, providing an affirmation that much is well with the world. We’re endlessly fascinated by their behavior as they go about the day making a living in the trees and low lying brush of Griggs Reservoir Park.
Female Northern Cardinal
Male Eastern Bluebird, (Donna).
Red-bellied Woodpecker, (Donna).
Song Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing, (Donna).
Downy Woodpecker
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During this stark, seemingly lifeless, time of year it’s not always easy to be optimistic about what will be seen when heading into the woods. But even in December’s landscape we seldom return home with empty hearts.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Neighborhood Migrants
Posted on October 16, 2019
Warm days, now noticeably shorter, are giving way to colder nights with the landscape increasingly graced with the colors of autumn in Ohio.
Autumn reflection in central Ohio.
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During the past couple of weeks we’ve made a concerted effort to look for birds passing through Griggs Reservoir Park on their southern migration. We’ve avoiding the temptation to travel further afield thinking it would be fun just to see what is or isn’t passing through our “neighborhood”. There have been reports of birds that have eluded us, such as the Blackpoll and Yellow-throated Warbler, but all in all the effort has been rewarding.
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The Black-throated Green Warblers were very cooperative:
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Only one Cape May Warbler was seen:
Female Cape May Warbler
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A fair number of Northern Parula Warblers were spotted:
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This Yellow-throated Vireo is not sure he wants to eat a stink bug:
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We had only one sighting of a Black-throated Blue Warbler:
Good enough to ID the bird but that’s it.
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The fairly common Yellow-rumped Warblers are often seen eating poising ivy berries:
***, (Donna)
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A Nashville Warbler was also part of the mix:
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One Ruby-crowned Kinglet tries it’s best to hide while another jumps right out and poses. To date more kinglets have been heard than seen.
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Contrasting with last year, this has not been a good year for seeing Black-crowned Herons on the reservoir. However, on a resent paddle we were rewarded:
Juvenile, (Donna).
Adult, (Donna).
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While looking for warblers a group of very active Blue Birds was hard to ignore:
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A young male Wood Duck has been hanging around the park for the last couple of weeks. By it’s association with a group of mallards it appears to think it’s one:
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We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge some of the other birds that have fascinated us while we looked for fall migrants.
An immature Red-tailed Hawk seemed curious about what we were up to.
Something has this Juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker’s attention, (Donna).
A Mallard Duck, bathed in autumn light, swims across the reservoir.
A pair of Northern Flickers, (Donna).
A Tufted Titmouse acts cute like titmouse do, (Donna).
A White-breasted Nuthatch goes about it’s day.
One of the many Cedar Waxwings seen in the park in recent weeks.
A female Downy Woodpecker poses for a picture.
A Great Blue Heron strikes a graceful pose along the Scioto River, (Donna).
This Blue Jay has quite a mouthful, (Donna).
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It’s a dark gray rainy morning as I finish writing this so it’s hard to imagine what nature will offer in the coming days and this is the time of year when things tend to wind down. However, if past experience is any indication, it will only take another walk in the woods to again experience the magic. Thanks for stopping by.
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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.
A Sense of Expectation and Wonder
Posted on January 2, 2019
As undoubtedly mentioned before, one of the rewarding aspects of visiting a park on a regular basis is that one can observe nature’s subtle changes as well as the coming and going of various critters that visit the park throughout the year. Many these forays are part of longer urban hikes and are accompanied by fairly low expectations so our gear often consists of an easily packable super-zoom and a small pair of binoculars. With such equipment we are limited in the types of photographs we can obtain but we do have a camera with us.
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Recently we’ve been encouraged with the prospect of seeing the unexpected when Eastern Bluebirds made a Christmas day visit to our front yard suet feeder. We had never seen them in our yard before.
A male Eastern Bluebird gets a drink from a mostly frozen bird bath, (Donna).
One bird with a small piece of suet, “Hey guys go get your own!”, (Donna).
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Yesterday, there were no Bluebirds at the suet feeder so before our new years day tradition of pork, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut we decided to take a walk in Griggs Reservoir Park. It was a cloudy gray-brown day and certainly not one that would beckon a landscape photographer so we walked with the hope of observing a bird or some other small manifestation of nature. I mostly occupied myself with the never-ending task of picking up trash. It’s an activity I always find strangely rewarding especially if the ‘birds’ aren’t cooperating.
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We were almost back to the car after our three-mile saunter when I noticed a small hawk preening itself at the top of a large Sycamore tree. A quick look through the binoculars did not provide an obvious identity so I pulled out my camera and started taking “data acquisition” shots.
Critical tail feather ID shot. The bird was to far away for a good photograph. All shots are heavily cropped, Panasonic FZ300.
Another look for markings.
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It was a Merlin, and even though there had been reports of them at other central Ohio locations it was a bird we had never seen in the park before. How exciting! A dull gray day made magical. The sighting was all the more special because the last time we had seen one was some years ago while hiking the Centennial Ridges Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park. While looking through the binoculars at a dragonfly flying high over head a black streak went through the field of view and the dragonfly disappeared. Looking up a small bird was seen flying towards a tiny island in the center of the lake where it joined others on a perch high over the water.
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As a bit of a postscript, Bald Eagles nest about two miles from our house making it not highly unusual to see them along the reservoir, so as if the reinforce the magic of the place that’s exactly what happened a few days back while on an urban fitness walk.
Bald Eagle over Griggs Reservoir, again the bird was too far away for a good photograph. image heavily cropped, Panasonic FZ150.
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These recent holiday sightings have blessed us with a sense of expectation and wonder for the new year. Our wish is that you to will be blessed in the new year.
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Thanks for stopping by.
