Central Ohio NatureWhisper Of Spring
Posted on March 27, 2022
On some days in early spring the whisper of life is not heard above the howl of wind through still bare branches of waking trees. A warm embrace under sunny blue skies one day turns into a gray freezing flurried rebuff the next.
With it’s fits and starts spring makes doubters of us all.
The woods do not yet invite. A stark barren seemingly lifeless landscape is now revealed by the absent blanket of snow.
Against what feels like our better judgment we dress for the unexpected and journey into the woods. If we walk slowly and pause, look closely and listen we can discover in the season of expectation and disappointment small signs and voices of our larger being.
Nature seldom gives graciously to plant, animal, or us. It offers just enough. In early spring that just enough often leaves us with mistaken discontent wishing for more.
Thanks for stopping by.
An Early Spring Paddle
Posted on April 5, 2020
In recent days bird activity betrays the fact that from a distance the landscape is still more reminiscent of a snowless winter day than spring. Hearing but not seeing any first of the season migrating warblers we’ve nonetheless been entertained by other birds engaged in spring preparations or just passing through.
Eastern Phoebe
White-throated Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
It’s a male!
Female Cardinal.
An illusive Brown Creeper
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It’s not just the sight and sound of birds, but the call of spring peepers in low lying flooded areas, that bring music to the day. Much easier to see but not nearly as vocal, bullfrogs are also present. Under budding bare branches in wooded areas a closer look around our feet reveals spring wildflowers sparkling in last year’s leaf litter.
Spring Beauty
Bloodroot, (Donna)
Twinleaf, (Donna)
Bullfrog
The very small flowers of Harbinger of Spring, (Donna)
Dutchman’s Breeches, (Donna).
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Recently, after arriving at a local park, a magic moment occurred when a large group of White Pelicans were spotted overhead on their way north. Something we don’t recall ever seeing in central Ohio before. By the time cameras left their bags, etc., there was time for just one shot before the birds were obscured by nearby trees.
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The chocolate milk color of water in most central Ohio reservoirs says spring and offers proof of recent heavy rains and runoff from yet to be planted farm fields. However, yesterday we ignored the water’s uninviting color, given that it was an otherwise a perfect day, and launched the canoe to go exploring. As we headed out, numerous Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and Bonaparte’s Gulls continued to feed on small dead or dying shad (as they have for the last couple of weeks), while turtles took advantage of the warm sun.
Almost ready to launch on Griggs Reservoir in our fast 18ft Sawyer Cruiser.
Red Eared Sliders enjoy the sun, (Donna).
Many trees are starting to leaf out. There were very few boats on the reservoir for a Saturday.
Great Egrets in breeding plumage, (Donna).
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This large beaver lodge has been at the north end of Griggs Reservoir for years.
A lighter Red Eared Slider and a Map Turtle.
My wife had numerous opportunities to photograph Wood Ducks during our paddle. This was one of her best shots.
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So hopefully warbler spring migrant pictures will grace the pages of a blog in the near future but in the mean time we’ll continue to celebrate all of the other things seen.
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Stay safe and as always, thanks for stopping by
Harbingers Of Spring
Posted on March 30, 2019
After our extended stay in Florida to escape the north’s cold cloudy winter weather I realize we’re not going to get much sympathy when we say that waiting for spring in Ohio can try one’s patience. Walking through the woods we remind ourselves to value each day for the gift that it is, but with autumns now bleached and faded leaves covering a seemingly lifeless forest floor it’s hard not to want for more.
Many of Ohio’s woods lack the conifers that bring color to the early spring woods further north, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
The water was running clear but the landscape was no more colorful along the river, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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However, taking a closer look at last years leaf litter one just might find the tiny Harbinger of Spring one of the seasons first wildflowers.
Harbinger of Spring, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Another look.
Profile, (Donna).
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The Snow Trillium is an uncommon wildflower that occurs only in very select undisturbed locations.
A nice group of three.
A group of two, (Donna)
Head on.
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Perhaps one of the prettiest plants to pop up through leaf litter in early spring is Virginia Waterleaf.
Virginia Waterleaf, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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As is often the case while making one’s way back to the trailhead, happy with the wildflowers and the day’s hike, other unexpected and wonderful things are seen.
An Eastern Towhee hides in a thicket, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
A number of Golden-crowned Kinglets showed themselves along the Scioto River below the Griggs Reservoir Dam, (Donna).
Walking along Griggs Reservoir we heard a faint tapping and just saw a tail protruding from a newly formed nesting cavity. The tapping stopped and this Downy Woodpecker turned and peered out at us.
We spotted this Blue-winged Teal in a pond adjacent to the parking lot as we were finishing a hike at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Present in smaller numbers all winter in areas where there is open water, the population of Great Blue Herons has increased as the days get longer and the weather warms.
A Great Blue Heron waits for something edible to appear.
We’ve never seen them over-winter so when Great Egrets appear along the Scioto River below the Griggs Reservoir Dam each spring in breeding plumage it’s a real treat.
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The Great Egrets are the grand finale to this post and our recent time outdoors and they left us with a true sense of spring’s wonder and magic.
Stump in the early spring woods.
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For those who expectedly seek it along a stream or wooded trail, nature speaks in a language beyond words.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Central Ohio Nature 