Central Ohio NatureA Journey Through Early Autumn
Posted on October 3, 2019
Perhaps it’s the flowers or the number of sunny blue sky days that have populated the last few weeks, but so far our journey through early autumn, perhaps a bit warmer than one would expect, has been a wonderful celebration of the time of year.
The low autumn light filters through New England Asters.
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Blue Jays, along with migrants from the north adding to the local population, are commonly heard engaged in their noisy banter as we explore local parks.
Blue Jay, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
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By late morning and early afternoon there are always butterflies and dragonflies keeping us company. It has been a banner year in central Ohio for the Common Buckeye. It’s difficult to remember a year when we’ve seen so many. Several years ago it was late September before we saw our first one. At the other extreme we’re not sure we’ve seen even one Morning Cloak this year. Could the same weather patterns or events be responsible for both of these outcomes? One can only wonder. One interesting bit of information we recently uncovered is that, depending on the severity of the weather, Buckeyes can successfully overwinter in Ohio. This could explain this year’s early sightings.
Common Buckeye, Blues Creek Park.
The underside of the wings, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
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With fields of golden rod in bloom there’s no question about the time of year, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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A few days back, while I was fishing, my wife was excited to find a Dainty Sulfur in Griggs Reservoir Park. To make matters worse not only did I miss the butterfly I didn’t catch any fish.
Dainty Sulfur, (Donna). The last time this butterfly was seen in central Ohio in observable numbers was 2012. Griggs Reservoir Park.
Little Yellow butterflies, while not as uncommon, were seen in another area park. We usually observe this butterfly in Florida during the winter.
Little Yellow Butterfly. Blues Creek Park.
Other butterflies were also present:
Eastern Comma, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
Eastern-tailed Blue laying eggs, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
Monarch. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
This Viceroy seen at Blues Creek Park can be easily mistaken for a Monarch but it is slightly smaller, a faster flyer, and has similar but different markings on it’s wings.
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In recent days, no doubt due to the extended warm weather, we’ve noticed more dragonfly activity. The following images are of some of the more noteworthy ones seen. The Wandering Glider is not uncommon but hardly ever lands so it was a real treat to get a picture. This aptly named carnivorous insect is the widest ranging dragonfly and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Wandering Glider, Griggs Reservoir Park.
A Illinois River Cruiser perches not far from the river in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. We believe this is a first sighting for us.
This beautiful Blue-faced Meadowhawk was also a new dragonfly for us. This one was seen not far from a wetland in Blues Creek Park.
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Prairie Dock is a member of the aster family and can grow up to eight feet tall, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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The small furry creatures all seemed busy, usually with a nut in their mouth, and were hard not to notice.
Fox Squirrel. Griggs Reservoir Park.
Chipmunk with a real mouthful, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
Curious chipmunk, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
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The autumn nights, now longer than the days, usher us too quickly through the season. In keeping with this journey the next post will be about fall warblers as they make their way through central Ohio. Thanks for stopping by.
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A hover fly investigates a thistle flower. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Autumn Reflection
Posted on October 16, 2018
As I write this the temperature has finally arrived at more normal levels for early October. Until just a few days ago it was much warmer and the season betrayed by the calendar was having a hard time getting started with leaves still reluctant to show their autumn color. That wasn’t all bad as we were treated to sightings of butterflies and other insects not usually seen this late in the year. Given the above average rainfall it continues to be a great time to see fungi which seems to be almost everywhere. Below is a celebration of some things seen over the past couple of weeks. Missing is “the picture” of me paddling the Scioto River, fishing for Smallmouth Bass, as two mature Bald Eagles circled overhead. Oh well, some things would be hard to capture in a photograph and must just be experienced.
Leaf.
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The above experience prompted me to consider things that can be photographed, which in this case happens to be landscapes. Specifically, it has to do with the difference between how a scene is seen and how the camera captures it. Or putting it another way, after we have been enchanted enough to take the picture, and after a preliminary look are happy with the results, does the image convey the desired message as shot? This then will have a lot to do with the kind and amount of post processing used and it’s limits for a particular photograph. Such things are often a matter of opinion or taste, there being no right or wrong. With that said, we’ve all seen the over saturated colors in autumn landscapes which risk devaluing the place and experience as if to say it wasn’t beautiful enough. Things worth considering I believe.
O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
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As already mentioned it’s been a great year for fungi. Apparently chicken Fungi and puffballs are edible but I think we will just enjoy looking at them. At their peak the colors of some fungi are no less spectacular than the loveliest wildflower.
Turkey tail.
Rosy Russula, Emily Traphagen Park.
Puffballs, (Donna).
Unidentified fungi family with lot’s of character, (Donna).
Shaggy Mane, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, (Donna).
Dead Man’s Fingers, (Donna).
Wrinkled Peach Mushroom, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Close up.
An emergent shelf fungi competes with puffballs and fallen leaves for our attention.
A polypore shows off it’s gills.
Chicken Fungi
Bearded Tooth fungi, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Dryad’s Saddle, note the different stages of development in this cluster, (Donna).
Orange Mycena, (Donna).
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A hint of autumn color along the Scioto River, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Tree roots and fallen leaves.
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Despite our recent fungi fascination other things have been hard to ignore. A number if years ago it took a really spectacular insect to make an impression but as I’ve spent more time looking at them my appreciation has increased. With greater knowledge and understanding it has become much harder to consider them a lower life form less noble than ourselves. They have become part of the beautiful tapestry of life where boundaries between self and the natural world disappear.
Bee on Calico Asters, (Donna).
We had to wait until fairly late in the year to start seeing Common Checked Skippers, (Donna).
Common Green Darner, (Donna).
Yellow-collared Scape Moth is very similar to the Virginia Ctenucha but is slightly smaller, (Donna).
A bee enjoying the same flower gives an appreciation of the Eastern Tailed-Blue’s size, (Donna).
Chickweed Geometer, (Donna).
A beautiful but tiny Gray Hairstreak, (Donna).
Orange Sulfur
A not often seen Variegated Fritillary, (Donna).
Giant Swallowtail, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Eastern Comma
Meadow Fritillaries were very common at Griggs reservoir Park this year, (Donna).
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A leaf is framed by reflections In a stream side pool.
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Pausing at water’s edge, rippled reflections dance to the rhythm of wind and light gracing us with a new vision and an invitation to a new place.
Tree branches reflect on the water’s surface, Griggs Reservoir.
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Thanks for stopping by.
It’s A Butterfly Time Of Year
Posted on August 16, 2018
Not that they aren’t seen earlier in the spring and summer but August does seem to be the time for butterflies. This year it’s been almost impossible to be out for any length of time without seeing a Monarch. In the late morning or afternoon small but beautiful Pearl Crescents make the shorter grass along the trail their playground. The beauty of some butterflies like the Giant Swallowtail is apparent to even a casual observer but others like the Buckeye reveal their beauty only after a closer look. Others like the hairstreaks are easy to miss altogether unless you know what to look for. The good news is that you don’t have to get up a the crack of dawn to see butterflies.
Sunlight filters through the woods along the Big Derby during a recent butterfly hike.
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So below is a celebration of butterflies that have been seen in the last few weeks. Much of the credit must go to my wife who tirelessly pursues these usually unpredictable creatures until she gets the shot she wants while I often content myself to photographing the more predictable wildflowers.
In late summer Bull Thistle is common in the prairie areas of Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park and seems to attract it’s share of Monarchs.
The Giant Swallowtail is Ohio’s largest butterfly and not one we see every day, Griggs Reservoir Park..
A Giant Swallowtail depositing eggs, (Donna).
Great Blue Lobelia enjoying the more shaded areas of Griggs Reservoir Park.
A very small female Eastern-tailed Blue rewards Donna by opening it’s wings.
Prairie sunflowers, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
The beautiful but very small Gray Hairstreak, (Donna).
Hackberry Emperors are fairly common in Griggs reservoir Park and on a warm day enjoy hitching a ride on your arm to take advantage of your perspiration, (Donna).
Cardinal Flower
A small Summer Azure almost seems to blend in, (Donna).
Wingstem, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park prairie.
The not often seen Meadow Fritillary
The fairly common but lovely Orange Sulfur, (Donna).
New England Aster
Usually not seen in central Ohio until late summer or fall the medium size Buckeye is striking, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Fringed Loosestrife also enjoys the more shaded areas along the Scioto River.
A small Zabulon Skipper, (Donna).
A small but lovely Common Checkered Skipper, (Donna).
Lazard’s Tail along the Scioto River, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Silver Spotted Skipper, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Tall Blue Lettuce, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Red-spotted Purple, (Donna).
Another look, (Donna).
Gray-headed Coneflowers seem to take flight.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Another look.
A somewhat faded black form of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, (Donna)
Black Swallowtail, (Donna).
Black Swallowtail laying eggs, (Donna).
Ironweed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
The Peck’s Skipper is a very small moth like butterfly, (Donna).
Cup Plant
Monarch, (Donna).
Monarch
Trumpet Flowers, (Donna).
Mating Pearl Crescents
Pearl Cresent
Tall Bellflower
Eastern Comma
The tiny flowers of Virginia Knotweed.
Certainly not the most aesthetic setting, a Zebra Swallowtail lands in our canoe just as we finish a paddle on Paint Creek, (Donna).
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Where there are butterflies and moths there are caterpillars and no one is better at spotting them than my wife.
Brown-hooded Owlet, (Donna).
Monarch caterpillar, (Donna).
Orange Dog (Giant Swallowtail caterpillar), (Donna).
Another look.
Black Swallowtail caterpillar showing horns. Horns extend when head is touched lightly. Donna).
Without horns protruding, (Donna).
Sycamore Tussock Moth caterpillar, (Donna).
Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars, (Donna).
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We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge some of the birds that continue to charm us as we walk through the woods of central Ohio.
Male Goldfinch, (Donna).
This time of year False Dragonhead can be seen along the shore of Griggs Reservoir.
A Ruby throated Hummingbird checks out the Bull Thistle at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Woodland Sunflowers offer a splash of color in the woods along the Scioto River.
A Tufted Titmouse checks Donna out as she attempts to take it’s picture.
Indigo Bunting, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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So what was I doing while my wife was taking so many excellent photographs in central Ohio? Fishing in Michigan of course.
This nice Largemouth Bas went swimming right after posing for this picture.
Fishing at sunset on Devoe Lake, Rifle River Recreation Area.
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If time spent in nature speaks to the essence of your being, your soul, you have riches greater than any material procession can offer. A wealth that grows in health, spirit, and the awareness of being part of the greater mystery. Thanks for stopping by.
A Special Place In Michigan
Posted on July 24, 2018
At least once a year for the last number of years we’ve traveled seven hours from central Ohio to the expansive 4500 acre Rifle River Recreation Area in Michigan. With it’s fairly extensive system of hiking and mountain bicycling trails, plus lakes that don’t allow motors, it’s a beautiful quiet nature lovers paradise. The park’s woods contain conifers, including some fairly large White Pine, as well as deciduous trees like oak and maple making it home to a great diversity of insects, plants, birds, and animals. The park has two campgrounds, one with electrical hookups, and one that is rustic. We prefer “tent” camping in the Devoe Lake rustic campground with it’s pit toilets and handpumps, whether in our small trailer or in a tent, because the sites are bigger, more secluded, and a variety of birds often come right to your campsite. In addition the rustic campground communicates with park’s best hiking trails without the need to get in your car.
Park Map.
A south loop hiking trail cuts through meadows interspersed with stands of trees that attract numerous species of butterflies and dragonflies not mention birds such as Indigo Buntings that love that type of habitat.
South Trail
The northern loop takes the hiker on much more rolling terrain interspersed with swamps and culminating along a ridge that provides a panoramic view of four of the parks lakes.
Grousehaven Lake from the park loop road.
The lakes offer a variety of fish species to attract the angler including Brook and Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Large Mouth Bass and panfish.
Typical catch and release LM Bass on Devoe Lake.
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Many of the lakes just outside the park boundary offering public access are heavily developed with boat and dock filled shorelines and large year round homes which in recent years have replaced many smaller cabins set back in the trees. Some of the larger multistory dwellings seem almost ready to topple into the lake giving these small bodies of water more the feel of a large recreational swimming pool. Even so, the lakes do offer good fishing even if with somewhat diminished natural aesthetic. However, if communing with nature is your goal, it is worth it to travel away from the park to the nearby Au Sable River and it’s chain of lakes which offer a rewarding undeveloped destination for the photographer, fisherman, and nature lover.
Loud Pond, Au Sable River chain of lakes.
Loud Pond Au Sable River chain of lakes.
Loud Pond Au Sable River chain of lakes.
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Within the park, even without a very special species of bird, there is ample reason to return year after year to enjoy the park’s beauty. But the very special bird that makes the park so irresistible is the Common Loon. Numbers seen vary year to year but they’re always there with their haunting cry breaking the silence of the night. To our knowledge it’s the closest location from central Ohio where nesting loons can be found.
Common Loon
With young, (Donna).
Another view, (Donna).
Meal time, (Donna).
The young are growing fast.
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Lodge Lake.
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An equally enchanting bird usually seen on Grebe Lake is the Trumpeter Swan. During one paddle the call of the adults across the lake gave ample evidence as to how they got their name.
Trumpeter Swam Family, (Donna).
Another look.
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Being old enough to remember when they suffered the ravages of DDT and were very rare Bald Eagles always have a high wow factor. We had a number of sightings in the park and at least five the day we paddled Loud Pond along the Au Sable River.
I control the canoe and my wife often takes the pictures.
Where there is a nest there is usually an eagle.
Donna get’s a picture of one of the Bald Eagles seen on Loud Pond.
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Equally fascinating were the other birds seen during our hikes and paddles.
A Great Crested Flycatcher over looks a meadow on the south trail.
An immature Great Crested Flycatcher asks to be fed, (Donna).
A Catbird puts everything into it’s song, (Donna).
A good day for the Cedar Waxwing, not so much for the dragonfly, (Donna).
Along the south trail in the very top of a tree a Chestnut-sided Warbler sings it’s heart out, (Donna).
A Green Heron makes a living along the shore of Devoe Lake.
Too far away for a good pic, perhaps an immature Rose Breasted Grosbeak?
Ever on the lookout for flying insects, like sentry’s Kingbirds lined the shore of Devoe Lake.
Another look, (Donna).
Near water’s edge a Kingbird sits on it’s nest, (Donna).
Donna catches this female Kingfisher along the shore of Devoe Lake.
A Tree Swallow party along the shore of Devoe Lake,(Donna).
Numerous Rose Breasted Grosbeaks were seen but they proved a challenge to photograph, (Donna).
Spotted sandpiper along the shore of Loud Pond, (Donna).
Immature Spotted Sandpiper along Loud Pond, (Donna).
Immature Baltimore Orioles hang out in a distant tree.
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The Rifle River just downstream of Grousehaven Lake.
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If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time you know we love dragonflies. While butterflies may initially catch your eye very few creatures fascinate in the air like the dragonfly. But the relationship fraught with conflict because we also love birds and the dragonflies maneuverability is often not enough to avoid becoming a tasty high protein snack.
Calico Pennant, (Donna).
Female Ruby Meadowhawk
Blue Dasher, (Donna).
Chalk-fronted Corporal.
This Damsel fly on flower illustrates the capability 0f the micro 4/3rds Panasonic (Leica) 100-400mm lens, (Donna).
Dot-tailed Whiteface, (Donna).
Mating Ebony Jewelwings, (Donna).
Twelve-spotted Skimmer.
Female Lancet Clubtail, (Donna).
Female Calico Pennant.
Male Halloween Pennant.
Mating Halloween Pennants, (Donna).
Slaty Blue Skimmer, Tamron 18-400mm zoom.
Most of the time when we take a picture we have a pretty good idea what the subject is. When we don’t part of the fun is during the research to figure out what it is. So far the ID of this rather nondescript dragonfly remains a mystery.
The Vesper Bluet is a late afternoon and evening damselfly, (Donna).
Mating Vesper Bluets, (Donna).
River Jewelwing seen along the Au Sable River, (Donna).
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The Rifle River near the park’s southern boundary.
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Butterflies live a rough life. Subject to the effects of rain, wind, sun and sometimes attempted predation they often become rather tattered with age. Like wildflowers much of their magic come from the fact that they are only here for a short time. During this most recent visit it was interesting because we didn’t see as many as expected and often the ones seen were rather tattered. However, the few that were in nice enough shape to merit a photograph took up the slack.
Common Wood-Nymph, (Donna).
Northern Pearly-eye
Northern Pearly-eye another view.
American Copper, (Donna)
Another view, (Donna).
Great Spangled Fritillary, Tamron 18-400mm zoom.
Peck’s Skipper with a partially shaded wing explores an iris.
Northern Cloudywing Skipper
Eastern Comma.
Monarch, (Donna).
The very small and seldom seen Banded Hairstreak, (Donna).
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No matter when one visits the park in spring and summer there are some flowers that are seen and some that are not. Turtleheads and Cardinal flowers usually appear in August so we missed them this year but others were present.
Certainly not a flower but one of a number of very large White Pines in the park. How do you capture it’s impressive size in a photograph?
St. John’s Wort, (Donna).
Yellow Water Lily
Black-eyed Susan’s appear to take flight, (Donna).
This American Wintergreen was growing in a very moist area, (Donna).
Spotted Knapweed along the Lake Huron shore.
Pickerel Weed on Grebe Lake.
Water Lily.
Water Lily times two, (Donna).
A hover fly checks out a water lily.
Clustered-leaved Tick-trefoil.
Small and very common in the meadow areas along the south trail this one has eluded identification.
Bladderwort seen along the north trail, (Donna).
New Jersey Tea or Wild Snowball, interestingly it has been used for treated such things as gonorrhea, syphilis, colds, cough, fever, chills, spasms, bleeding, . . . “.
Monkey Flower, (Donna).
Swamp Milkweed, (Donna).
Indian Pipe, (Donna).
Jack-in-the-Pulpit.
Fern.
At their peak these Picture Plant flowers will turn a deep burgundy. See below for the leaves.
The leaves resemble a picture, imagine that!
Daisy Fleabane, very small, very common, very beautiful.
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Early morning on Grebe Lake.
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When out on a day’s hike looking for birds, flowers, or butterflies it’s hard not to notice other things and sometimes they become the most memorable.
Painted Turtle, Devoe Lake.
Pixie Cups, north trail.
We saw quite a bit of this colorful fungi the day we hiked the south trail.
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle along the trail, (Donna).
American Toad, (Donna).
Garter Snake in an unusual location, Devoe Lake.
A beaver lodge on Grebe Lake.
British Soldier Lichen seems to love old fence posts.
Early July is apparently not the best time for fungi. This was one of the few not very colorful examples seen.
Crown-tipped Coral Fungi near our campsite.
A Map Turtle catches a few rays, (Donna).
A large Porcupine is spotted along the south trail, (Donna).
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So much natural diversity in one Michigan state park! This year we left the park wishing for a few more days to explore, to look more closely with intention, to breath in the fragrance of balsam, or just to gaze up into the splendor of the green canopy of trees surrounding our campsite. Perhaps that’s the best way to leave.
Devoe Lake.
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Thanks for stopping by.
A First Sighting
Posted on June 27, 2018
Each year it’s a happy time when we again realize that while increased leaf cover and more secretive nesting behavior may make birds harder to observe other beautiful and fascinating things have taken their place. The other things that enchant, as we explore area parks, are the butterflies and dragonflies.
These creatures are a lot like small birds in the sense that you must get close up and personal in order to really appreciate them. At a distance they look like just another LBFI. For starters an essential tool is a pair of close focus binoculars, minimum focus distance of 6 – 7 ft. If you are like me that may soon give way to the desire to photograph them either as an aid to identification or for the record. That’s when you really start to notice how fascinating and beautiful they are. The next thing you may notice is their behavior like the pond surface tapping of a female dragonfly depositing eggs or the unique flight patterns of various butterflies. The more you observe and learn the more enchanting it all becomes.
Dragonfly heaven, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
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That’s not to say that we’ve given up on the birds. During recent insect outing I was hoping for a good shot of an Indigo Bunting but the one seen was just a little too far away.
Again too far away for a good picture but it is an Indigo Bunting.
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A few other birds were a little closer.
A Brown Thrasher plays hide and seek in the leaf cover.
Certainly not trying to hide, this singing Protonotary Warbler was amazing hard to find but once spotted hard to ignore. It’s cavity nest wasn’t far from this perch.
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Gradually as we work our way through June the bulk of nature’s activity increasingly revolves around the insects. A major menu item for many of the now stealthier birds, it’s impossible to ignore them while exploring areas such as Darby Bend Lakes in Prairie Oaks Metro Park. On a recent outing dragonflies and damselflies seemed to be everywhere and was made all the more exciting when a dragonfly that my wife spotted turned out to be the first recorded sighting in central Ohio!
Double-striped Bluet, (Donna).
Smaller than a Halloween Pennant a beautiful Calico Pennant poses for the camera.
Damselflies often are seen flying among the leaves of low lying bushes making them easy prey for the orb weaver spider.
Female Blue-ringed Dancer
Damselflies can be friendly.
Powdered Dancer
Blue-fronted Dancer.
Male Ebony Jewelwing, (Donna).
Halloween Pennant
Mating Halloween Pennants.
Female Widow Skimmer
A male Widow Skimmer dining on what appears to be a damselfly.
Male Eastern Pondhawk
One of the larger but very common dragonflies this female Eastern Pondhawk dines on a small insect, (Donna).
Fawn Darner
The Swift Setwing is one of the larger dragonflies and this sighting was the first recorded in central Ohio. Over the past few years it has slowly been working it’s way north perhaps due to such factors as global warming, (Donna)
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Butterfly Weed
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And as if the dragonflies weren’t enough during the past few weeks we’ve been treated to sightings of an amazing variety of other insects. So much so, that at times it was a bit overwhelming!
The medium size Eastern Comma Butterfly.
Eastern Comma another view, (Donna).
The medium size Great Spangled Fritillary, (Donna).
Another view of the Great Spangled Fritillary.
Virginia Ctenucha Moth
Red Admiral.
On a warm day the medium size Hackberry Emperor often lands on exposed skin to take advantage of the goodies in ones perspiration.
The beautiful marking on the underside of the Hackberry Emperor’s wings.
Monarch Butterfly.
A Monarch Butterfly shows the underside of it’s wings.
As far as we can remember this is the first time we’ve seen a Delaware Skipper, (Donna).
A very rare view of the top side of the very small female Eastern-tailed Blue Butterflies wings, (Donna).
A very common medium sized Orange Sulfur Butterfly.
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Sometimes it’s hard to believe your eyes, such was the case a number of years ago when we saw our first hummingbird moth. We continue to be amazed.
Snowberry Clearwing Moth, Donna
Another view, (Donna).
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Pearl Crescent, a common, beautiful but smaller butterfly, (Donna).
Duskywing, a fast flying smaller butterfly.
The Silver Spotted Skipper butterfly is one of the larger skippers that at times we’ve observed to have an rather fearless attitude toward other flying insects. (Donna).
A Hoverfly pollenates on a Black-eyed Susan.
A very small long legged fly taxes the closeup capability of a Tamron 18-400 mm zoom.
Recently not far from our house we were thrilled to see Michigan Lilies in bloom
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It’s always hard to know when to stop as there are always more pictures that could be part of the post based on their merit. However, realizing that the photographer is usually more excited about pictures taken than those looking at them I’ve decided to show some compassion and stop here. At the very least I hope this post inspire nature lovers to get out and take a closer look and find that which enchants.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Hey wait, what about me!
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Cause and Effect
Posted on October 16, 2017
Recently, after several weeks of very dry weather, the rain came. One day it amounted to almost three inches. Once clear and lazy, area rivers are now swollen and turbid and flow with more purpose as though their water has somewhere to go. The precipitation came too late to have a major effect on the season’s color but the orange, yellow, and brown of oaks and hickories is now more saturated. The moist earth returns it’s recent gift to the humid early morning air, as suspended leaves, some no longer green, appear to almost come back to life.
Griggs Reservoir
The crotch of a tree provides a resting place, Emily Traphagen Park.
Stump, Emily Traphagen Park.
Fallen tree, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Two days ago during a walk in an area park a bench provided a place to eat lunch. In the stillness we watched an occasional leaf from some unknown high branch in a nearby tree, like a large early winter snowflake, silently float down and land quietly at our feet. A few descended without a flourish, but most either spiraled, spun, or sashayed side to side on the last and only journey of their lives. They joined those already fallen to complete the cycle of life. One here, another there, slowly, as we sat watching, they never stopped. Today, as I write this, with wind howling past a partially open window, the scene would be much different.
Moss covered roots grace a hillside, Battelle Darby creek Metro Park.
Fall color, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Rotting log, Emily Traphagen Park.
Leaves of the Shagbark Hickory, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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It’s hard not to think of them as friends, the group of birds; robins, nuthatches, blue jays, etc., that are such an important part of our walks in nature near home.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Pigeons, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Male Downy Woodpecker, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
White-breasted Nuthatch, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Carolina Wren, Emily Traphagen Park, (Donna).
Belted Kingfisher, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Eastern Phoebe, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Blue Jay, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Mallard reflection, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Autumn color, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
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Others birds, such as the Bald Eagle, are only seen on occasion but that occasion is a miracle. When I was young, in the days of DDT, a trip to Alaska may have been necessary to see one. Now they can be seen just a mile and a half from our house. Ospreys are seen more frequently, but soon they will embark on their journey south following the already departed community of Black-crowned Night Herons that through early fall call Griggs Reservoir home. With each osprey sighting we wonder if it will be the last until next year.
A Bald Eagle is framed by fall color on the west side of Griggs Reservoir.
Osprey along the Scioto River, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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A pond forms the backdrop for shoreline grass, Emily Traphagen Park
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The true magic of the rain, after such a long period of dry weather, is the fungi. Many just seem to appear out of nowhere while others, having endured the dryness, regain their color. Identifying what is seen can be a challenge.
Puffballs, Emily Traphagen Park.
Non-inky Coprinus, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Turkey Tail, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Some type of polypore, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Artist’s Bracket, Emily Traphagen Park, (Donna).
Crust fungi, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park,, (Donna).
Common Spilt Gill, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
A jelly fungus on the left and Witches’ Butter, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Wood Ear, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
An emergent polypore, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Angel’s Wings, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Wolf’s Milk Slime, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Emerging Dryad’s Saddle, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
A very rare sight near our home, Crown-tipped Coral, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Moss on what appears to be False Turkey-tail causes one to wonder just how long it’s been there. Emily Traphagen Park, (Donna).
Luminescent Panellus, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
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Early morning fog, also the result of the recent rain, greeted us during a walk at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park creating splendor in a spider’s web.
Banded Garden Spider, Battelle Darby Metro Park.
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Still standing, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Later, as we continued our walk, we noticed a few moths that apparently had gathered on the light gray wood siding of a park building during the night.
Large Maple Span Worm Moth, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Dot-lined White Moth, Battelle Darby Metro Park.
White-marked Tussock Moth, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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As we continued on a number of Eastern Commas where seen, usually right on the trail.
Eastern Comma, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Along the trail, Battelle Darby creek Metro Park.
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When the rain came, after such a long period of dryness, I stepped out onto our porch, took a deep breath, watched, and listened. The rain fell softly at first, with the sound of a mouse playing as it touched the dry places. After a while, standing there, the rain leaving fleeting patterns in driveway puddles, it’s fragrance in the wet grass, soil, and filling the air, I was taken to a different place and embraced by a feeling of newness and rebirth.
Glacial Erratic, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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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.
A Journey Into Autumn
Posted on October 2, 2017
I have to admit that autumn sometimes leaves me feeling a little beside myself. It’s truer this year because the weather has been beautiful, it’s been great to be outdoors as the landscape transforms, but the very dry conditions have made it a real challenge to capture beautiful images. Past experience tells me that trying too hard usually leads to failure. The picture needs to come to you. So looking for autumn landscapes I must often resign myself to photographing details to capture the color. Even so the dryness has resulted in colors that often seem muted which goes along with the dry crunch of leaves under foot as one explores a favorite path. So the day after day low autumn sun and the resulting bluer than blue skies continue to delight while causing one to wonder where the rivers are finding the water to keep flowing. Every autumn is comes and goes in it’s own way.
Leaves along the Big Darby, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Thankfully, as I look for that “autumn landscape”, my wife’s passion for butterflies and other things closer to the lens continues unabated as she contributes by capturing whimsical patterns in leaves . . .
America Basswood seeds, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Wingstem Seeds, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Milkweed goes to seed, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Leaves, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Patterns, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Reflections, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
Virginia Creeper, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Grass, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Prairie Grass, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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. . . and the flurry of autumn insect activity.
Eastern Comma, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Pearl Crescent, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Buckeye, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Eastern-tailed Blue, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Familiar Bluet, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Yellow Jacket, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Red-spotted Purple, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Virginia Ctenucha, backyard garden, (Donna).
We rescued this Wooly Bear Caterpillar (Isabella Tiger Moth) from the bike path and then spent some time observing its behavior. It’s deliberate movement would seem to indicate it was heading for a safe place to spend the winter. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Monarch, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Meadow Fritillary, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Painted Lady, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Another view, (Donna).
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Over two weeks without appreciable rain, a blue sky, rocky shore, and clear water, Griggs Reservoir.
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An interesting inhabitant in the Scioto River below Griggs Dam this summer has been a solitary Hooded Merganser. It appears to have become part of an extended mallard family. While undoubtedly not that uncommon, it’s the first time we recall witnessing such behavior.
Hooded Merganser, Scioto River below Griggs Dam, (Donna).
Another view.
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We continue to see the other usual suspects, some with autumn color to give a sense of place.
White Breasted Nuthatch, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Immature Double-crested Cormorant, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
Male Downy Woodpecker, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Immature Cardinal, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Great Blue Heron, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
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Asters along the Big Darby, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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While the autumn leaves may not be living up to expectation, fall wildflowers are doing their best to pick up the slack.
Asters, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Lit from behind, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Purple Asters
Phlox, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Asters look toward the sun, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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The dryness has made hunting for fungi more hunting than finding but we did come upon one extraordinary specimen that was more than 12 inches across.
A very large unidentified fungi, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Another look.
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Sunny weather is forecast for the next few days. With cool mornings and warm afternoons it continues to be a great time to be outdoors. If that perfect autumn landscape continues to elude it may be time to pick up the fly rod and head out in pursuit of a Small Mouth Bass. Though decisions!
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Big Darby Creek at sunrise, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Hopefully the area where you live has been blessed with late summer and early autumn rains that will result in beautiful fall colors and an autumn to remember. 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.
