Central Ohio NatureKinglet Quest
Posted on April 15, 2018
In central Ohio early April usually brings the seasons first migrating birds but before they really start moving through the area we like to spend time enjoying spring wildflowers. Unlike many of the birds, their world is located on the forest floor and exists before the overhead canopy all to quickly leafs out and cuts off their sunlight. It is a magical time as splashes of color find expression amid the dullness of last years leaf litter.
A Bloodroot flower waits to open, Duranceaux Park.
As pretty as any wildflower Virginia Waterleaf emerges from the leaf litter, Griggs Reservoir Park.
In what almost seems to be an act of defiance, a solitary Bloodroot blooms surrounded by the slowly decaying leaves, Duranceaux Park.
Cold weather has allowed this Snow Trillium to stay around longer than one usually expects, Duranceaux Park.
Just emerging blooms of Dutchmen’s Breeches, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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A few days of warm weather, after a week or two of colder than normal spring temperatures, and things really started to open up.
Spring Beauty, Greenlawn Cemetery.
False Rue Anemone, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Bloodroot in full bloom, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
The very tiny flowers of Common Speedwell, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Cutleaf Toothwart, Highbanks Metro Park, (Donna).
Rue Anemone, Highbanks Metro Park, (Donna).
Toadshade Trillium, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Yellow Trout Lilies “march” across the forest floor, High Banks Metro Park, (Donna).
A closer look, (Donna).
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Often, as we looked for wildflowers, there was activity overhead. A quick glance up indicated that many of the birds were kinglets and they seemed to be everywhere. Armed with that awareness, we dusted off the “bird cameras” and for the next few days made kinglets our primary objective. Often when one decides to look for a specific bird efforts are frustrated, but in this case the kinglets cooperated. “Cooperated” should be qualified by saying that they only do as much as such a hyper active bird can. As many birders know all to well, they’re a challenge to follow with binoculars much less a telephoto equipped camera.
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Duranceaux Park.
Take 2, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Take 3, Duranceaux Park.
Take 4, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Not seen as often, we had less luck with the Ruby-crowned Kinglets. For the most part they stayed in the low thickets and brush and moved constantly, with fleeting views often partially obscured by small branches.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Showing off it’s ruby crown.
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Where there are kinglets there are often . . .
Carolina Chickadee, common but not always easy to photograph, Duranceaux Park.
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While the activity continued below, high overhead a Red-tailed Hawk surveyed it’s realm.
Red-tailed Hawk, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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On one outing a group of Black Vultures was seen perched in a Sycamore along the shore of the reservoir. Not a real common sight in central Ohio. Closer examination of the nearby area revealed the partially devoured carcass of a deer.
Black Vultures, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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We don’t want to forget some of the other birds seen as we looked for kinglets.
No bird’s song speaks to us in the spring like that of the the Song Sparrow, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Yellow-rumped Warblers are often taken for granted as they are one of the most numerous of their kind but the beauty of this male is undeniable, Greenlawn Cemetery,
Momentarily fooling us into thinking it was a Goldfinch, this Pine Warbler was seen at Greenlawn Cemetery.
Later in the year as low lying bushes leaf out the Eastern Towhee, a large colorful sparrow, will be much harder to see, Greenlawn Cemetery.
White-breasted Nuthatch, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Bluebirds never fail to put a smile on our face, Griggs Reservoir Park.
With fast departing remnants of a spring snow an American Goldfinch warms itself in the morning sun, Griggs Reservoir Park. surrounded by
Always a thrill to see, we were entertained by this acrobatic Black and White Warbler, Greenlawn Cemetery, (Donna).
If I were a first time visitor to Ohio from Europe, I would be enchanted by this American Cardinal, Griggs Reservoir Park.
On a cold spring morning we wonder what this Eastern Phoebe finds to eat, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
A very healthy looking male House Finch, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
This Wood Duck pair landed in “the pit” at Greenlawn Cemetery but left just as quickly when they realized they were being watched by a rather large group of birders, (Donna).
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As the ephemeral days of spring pass there will be other wildflowers and winged migrants to enchant, but for a brief moment in time, while on their yearly journey north, kinglets became the seasons exclamation point.
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Thanks for stopping by.
