Central Ohio NatureIt’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 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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Late May At Cedar Bog, a Celebration of Biodiversity
Posted on June 1, 2018
It was not an ideal day for a nature outing with the temperature forecast to reach 90 F with matching humidity. However, after three days of suffering with what appeared to be a case of food poisoning and feeling restless, I convinced my wife I was feeling well enough to take a trip toย Cedar Bog Nature Preserve a pleasant back roads country drive from Columbus just a few miles south of Urbana off route 68.
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It’s one of Ohio’s unique natural areas and given the timing of our trip there was a good possibility of seeing a showy lady’s slipper. It’s a flower that’s much more common in states north but is also seen in a few Ohio locations. By itself the flower might not have been enough to justify the drive but we were also enticed by the preserve’s biodiversity and the fact that it was home to other rare things such as the endangered spotted turtle. The bog (not really a bog), is said to be the largest and best example of a boreal and prairie fen complex in Ohio.ย Walking slowly and looking intently no spotted turtles were seen the day of our visit but other things made up for it.
A small stream flows through the fen. In fact the whole fen is really flowing.
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Upon entering the preserve we were immediately greeted by a indigo bunting singing from what seemed like the highest branch in the tallest tree.
Indigo Bunting
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Amazingly, while others were seen throughout the preserve, we didn’t have to travel far to come across our first showy lady’s slipper.
Capturing the fen’s unique beauty.
Showy Lady’s Slippers
A closer look, (Donna).
Not fully emerged.
Blue Flag Iris were also present. Unlike yellow irises they are native.
Sometimes leaves, in this case those of a young tulip tree, are as fascinating as any flower.
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Not to be outdone by the flowers a little further along a large dragonfly performed it’s aerial display before finally posing for a picture.
Brown Spiketail, (Donna).
Another view.
Others were also seen.
Painted Skimmer
Another view, (Donna).
Female Common Whitetail
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Where there are dragonflies there are usually damselflies.
Mating Eastern Red Damselflies, (Donna).
Female Ebony Jewelwing
Male Ebony Jewelwing
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During our admittedly short visit only one species of butterfly cooperated for the camera.
Silvery Checkerspot
Another view, (Donna).
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Usually we find ourselves drawn to butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies but when looking for them it’s hard not to notice and appreciate other insects.
Golden-backed Snipe Fly
Crane Fly
Flowers were particularly fragrant which wasn’t lost on this hover fly.
Daddy Longlegs
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle, (Donna).
Mating bee-like robber flies.
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The preserve is also known to be home to a population of mississauga rattlesnakes and while none were seen we did see a northern water snake as well as the broad headed skink which we have not seen elsewhere in Ohio.
Northern Water Snake
Broad Headed Skink
Another view.
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Considering the wet environment and amount of fallen trees it was somewhat surprising that only one type of rather plain fungi was spotted.
An unidentified fungi.
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As if it had been inspired by the indigo bunting, a common yellowthroat made it’s presence known just as we were about to leave the preserve reminding us not to wait so long before our next visit.
Common Yellowthroat
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When we visit islands of unique diversity like Cedar Bog it’s hard not get swept up by the thought of what Ohio was like before Europeans settled the area and, with the aid of the industrial revolution, transformed much of the land into a monoculture of corn, soybeans, or wheat.
Now, when diving through rural Ohio on a late spring day the landscape seems permanent, natural, and right, and painted with the new green of crops and freshly leaved trees often beautiful to our 21st century eyes. However, a very short 250 years ago it would have looked very different and been home to many more diverse living things. Just as we, with first hand knowledge of what was there before, may morn the loss of a farmers field to a new strip mall or housing development such things become legitimate, right, unquestioned with the passing of time once the land has been transformed. The march towards less and fragmented islands of biodiversity continues.
It is true that change is inevitable but how much biodiversity do we and other living things need to thrive ten years from now, one hundred, how about in one thousand years when our sun will still be warming the planet much as it does today? Cedar Bog both delights and challenges us with it’s beauty and it’s questions.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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An Almost Perfect Disguise!
Posted on August 30, 2017
Caterpillars can be hard to believe. In recent weeks my wife’s “eagle eye” has spotted one that certainly seems to confirm this. Along with interesting caterpillars there have been other August insects and wildflowers to fascinate. Each season offers up it’s own treasures.
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As an aside, my old Canon manual focus glass has found new life mounted on a Sony A7 body so I’ve enjoyed trying to capture a “sense of place” with the old lenses as we explore some of our local haunts.
Griggs Reservoir, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
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During a recent walk we entered the world of caterpillars when my wife noticed this interesting specimen.
The Black Swallowtail caterpillar shows off it’s horns while the picture gets photo bombed by a pair of very small mating moths. The horns are usually not evident but a slight tap on the it’s head brings them out, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
The Black Swallowtail butterfly:
Male Black Swallowtail, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Female Black Swallowtail, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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On another day as we walked along Griggs Reservoir, three almost identical “bird droppings” were spotted. Very suspicious!
Our suspicion was validated as we identified them as Giant Swallowtail caterpillars. (Donna).
A closer look, (Donna).
The Giant Swallowtail butterfly:
Giant Swallowtail, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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The Monarch Butterfly caterpillars had a though act to follow after the “bird droppings”. However, this year it’s been exciting to see so many as well as the resultant butterflies. You know it’s a good year when you often hear, or say to your hiking companion, “There’s another Monarch!” Last year we saw very few.
Monarch Butterfly caterpillar, Griggs Reservoir Park.
The Monarch butterfly:
Monarch Butterfly, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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The Big Darby has been running low but clear. A sign of late summer in Ohio.
The Big Darby, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
For Ohio the water was very clear in the Big Darby but it’s shallow depth and silt covered bottom didn’t show it off, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
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During a lunch break along Alum Creek Reservoir last week, a number of wasps were more than happy to provide free entertainment!
Katydid Wasp, (Sphex nudus) with a stunned katydid nymph, Alum Creek State Park, (Donna).
The Katydid Wasp proceeds to drag it’s pray into a pre dug hole to serve as a food source for it’s larvae when they hatch, (Donna).
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Two days ago, as we made our way along one of our area metro park’s excellent trails, I mentioned to my wife that there appeared to be two humming birds around some thistle half way across the meadow. Before I realized what had happened she disappeared. The only way I could reel her in was with the zoom on my camera!
Going after the humming birds, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Success, (Donna).
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Along with caterpillars and butterflies there have been other interesting late August insects as well.
Mating Thread-waisted Wasps, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Cuckoo Leafcutter Bee with it’s fascinating blue eyes, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
When does a moth not look like a moth? When it’s an Ailanthus Webworm Moth! Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
A grasshopper hugs a coneflower, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Tachinid Fly, (Epalpus signifier), Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
The Common Spreadwing is the largest of the damselflies, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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A quiet fishing spot along Griggs Reservoir.
Griggs Reservoir.
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Fungi hasn’t been that noticeable due to the lack of rain but recently two examples begged to be photographed.
Northern Tooth fungi, Griggs Reservoir Park.
A rather large polypore, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Wildflowers.
Cup Plant, Griggs Reservoir Park, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
Virginia Knot Weed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Gracing the shore of Griggs Reservoir, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
Tall Bellflower, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Wingstem, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Great Blue Lobelia, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Coneflower Prairie, Battelle Darby Greek Metro Park.
Ironweed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
False Dragonhead, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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A fascinating plant,ย Ground Cherry, discovered during a recent walk.
Ground Cherry, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
The flower, (Donna).
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As we look for butterflies, or are engaged in other pursuits, it’s hard not to notice the other things.
In relation to it’s size the very small Cricket Frog probably jumps the furthest of any of it’s species! Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
An immature Indigo Bunting eludes a good photo at the very top of a tree, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
An over exuberant Blue Jay enjoys the water, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Black-crowned Night Heron photographed recently while fishing on Griggs Reservoir. Probably the closest I’ve ever gotten to one.
A “too cute” Red Squirrel along the shore of Griggs Reservoir. Exciting because we rarely see them in this area.
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In late August the sound of insects dominate the woods.
As if in protest, a Carolina Wrens does it’s best to break the silence of it’s kind.
In the now often cooler mornings, heavy with dew, spider webs are everywhere.
Walking, those suspended across the trail brush against one’s face.
By noon, as ifย to deny that summer is slowly coming to an end, butterflies and dragonflies take flight.
Bees, seemingly busier than ever, are everywhere on late summer wildflowers.
Leaves on some trees have already starting to change.
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Looking for birds, Griggs Reservoir Park, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
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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.
Open To Nature’s Possibilities
Posted on May 28, 2016
Now that the spring migration is tapering offย expectations need to be adjusted when visitingย a local park or takingย a walk in the woods. For birders it’s all about avoiding the big letdown after several weeks where each outing meantย wondering whatย new warbler theย day would bring. On a recent hike at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park,ย even if one was lucky enough toย catch a glimpse, many birdsย soon disappeared into the leaf cover.ย Perhaps it’s time to diversify and look for other things, fungi, flowers, and non-warbler type birds.
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With this in mind we headed forย the aforementionedย park remembering that it’s a goodย place to seeย Indigo Buntings.
Indigo Bunting, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Take 2.
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A few other Battelle Darby birds were also cooperative, if only just.
Common Yellowthroat, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Female Yellow Warbler? Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Eastern Spotted Towhee, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
White-eyed Vireo, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
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It was hard not to notice the early summer wild flowers alongย park trails whether at Battelle Darby or closer to home..
Appendaged Waterleaf, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Spiderwort, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Miami Mist, look but don’t touch! Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Hawkweed, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna)
Blackberry blooms, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Common Cinquefoil, , Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Sweet Cicely, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Angelica, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
Purple Rocket, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Forgetย Me Not, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
Blue Flag Iris, Griggs Park.
Philadelphia Fleabane, Griggs Park.
Multiflora Rose, Griggs Park.
Yellow Flag Iris, Griggs Park.
English Plantain, very common but with it’s ownย unique beauty,ย Griggs Park, (Donna).
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Onceย thought ofย as an alternativeย when we weren’t seeing birds insects have nowย becomeย fascinating in their own right.
Mating Golden-backed Snipe Flies, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna)
Six-spotted Green Tiger beetle, , Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna)
Silver-spotted Skipper, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Battelle Darby Metro Park, (Donna).
Eastern-tailed Blue, Griggs Park, (Donna).
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Not a flower, insect, or bird my wife nonetheless noticed this very small but beautiful fungi.
Scarlet Cup, Griggs Park, (Donna).
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Closer to home there were also things to see, the firstย humming bird of the year at O’Shaugnessy Nature Preserve and a hawk with prey at Griggs Park.
Certainly not aย National Geographic quality pic but it was a FOYย Ruby-throated Hummingbird, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, Twin Lakes Area.
Kingbird, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Take 2.
Nesting Prothonotary Warbler along the Scioto below Griggs dam, (Donna).
Cowbirds, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Great Crested Flycatcher, Griggs Park.
Female Hairy Woodpecker, Griggs Park.
Northern Flicker, Griggs Park.
Baltimore Oriole seen while kayaking on Griggs Reservoir.
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk with squirrel, Griggs Park
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And a few other creatures also caught our attention.
Eastern Spiny Softshell seen while kayaking on Griggs Reservoir.
Leopard Frogs, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
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That’s about it for this post. We always wonder if we’re going to run out of thingsย that fascinate and enchant. Fortunately in nature the more you look the more you see.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Quiet afternoon, Griggs Reservoir.
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A Tree Swallow and Some Friends
Posted on May 5, 2016
In the last few days the number of migrating and non-migrating birds seen by us and other birders in central Ohio has been incredible. We are trying to remember back to last year but nothing approachingย the last few days comesย to mind. Were weย just not paying attention? We’ve visitedย our usual areasย along Griggs Reservoir, butย also got over to Hoover Nature Preserve and adjacent areas at the north end of Hoover Reservoir as well as Glenn Echo Ravine in Clintonville. Wherever we went there were birds. Only a few of those seen are documented below either because they were a little too far away,ย moving around too much, or the light just wasn’t favorable for a picture. For more info on birds in central Ohio along with someย wonderful pictures visit Central Ohio Birders Facebook page.
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Some other notable birds seen but not photographed;ย ย Hoover Nature Preserve north end of the lake: a number of Red-headed Woodpeckers, Wood Ducks, Yellow Warblers, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, Hoover Nature Preserve Meadows Area: American Redstarts, Nashville Warbler, Glen Echo Ravine: Great Crested Flycatcher, Black Headed Blue Warbler, Northern Parula Warbler, Black and White Warblers, Baltimore Oriole, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers.
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So here are some of the birds seen.
Tree Swallow, boardwalk north end of Hoover Reservoir
Black-throated Green Warbler, Glen Echo Ravine, (Donna)
Black-throated Green Warbler, Glen Echo Ravine
Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Hoover Nature Preserve, north end of Hoover Reservoir
Yellow Warbler, Hoover Nature Preserve north end of Hoover Reservoir, (Donna).
Great Egrets, meadows area, Hoover Nature Preserve
Indigo Bunting, Glen Echo Ravine
In the same tree, Glen Echo Ravine
Scarlet Tanager, Glen Echo Ravine
Northern Water thrush, Glenn Echo Ravine, (Donna)
Baltimore Oriole, Scioto River below Griggs Dam.
Catbird, Scioto River below Griggs Dam.
Downy Woodpecker, Kiwanis River Way Park.
Pileated Woodpecker, Kiwanis River Way Park
Prothonotary Warbler, Scioto River below Griggs Dam.
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If there wasn’t a bird to look at there were other things.
Jack-in-the-pulpit, Glenn Echo Ravine, (Donna).
Fungi, Hoover Nature Preserve, Meadows Area, (Donna)
Wild Geranium, Glenn Echo Ravine, (Donna).
Pearl Crescent, Hoover Nature Preserve meadows area, (Donna).
Mayapple, Glenn Echo Ravine.
Marsh Marigold, Glen Echo Ravine, (Donna).
New leaves, Hoover Nature Preserve, Meadows Area.
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In the back of our minds we know that one day not too far in the future the spring celebration will be over. It’s a good time to be in the moment.
Wetland landscape, Hoover Nature Preserve, Meadows Area.
Wetland landscape, Hoover Nature Preserve, Meadows Area.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Bird Mural, Glen Echo Ravine
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XXX
What We Saw After We Didn’t See The Kirtlands Warbler
Posted on May 22, 2015
The report was that a Kirtlands Warbler had beenย seen at Highbanks Metro Park. There were even pictures on the Central Ohio Birders Facebook page.ย We don’t usually chase birds but this one wasn’t far from home. Besides,ย if we weren’t successful in finding it, High Banks, with it’s many nice trails, would be a great place for a hike.
Stream, High Banks Metro Park
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Well, as the title of this post indicates, we didn’t see the Kirtlands Warbler, but not wanting to waste a good day, we set off to see what else we could find.
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It was a great day to be in the woods. New green wasย everywhere. It wasย quiet except for birds calling, now harder to see withย leavesย almost fully out. Theย earth dampened by a recent rain, as well as theย flowering plants, released the scentย of spring.
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Not far down the trail:
Berries will soon be on their way.
Daisy Fleabane
Sassafras Leaves
Jelly Ear Fungus
Common Split Gill that has aged a bit. (Based on input from a mushroom expert.)
Witches’ Butter
Sensitive Fern
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As the airย started to warm more insects were about:
Tiger Beetle and female Common Whitetail
A closer look at the Tiger Beetle
Golden-backed Snipe Fly
Duskywing
Male Zabulon Skipper
Female Zabulon Skipper
Silver Spotted Skipper
Pearl Crescent
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While not the Kirtlands Warbler, we did see a few birds.
Summer Tanager in a treetop. Too far away for a good pic.
A Cape May Warbler (F) checks us out.
Female Bluebird.
Indigo Bunting
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By hikes end, the day had given so much we’d pretty much forgotten about the warbler.
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Thanks for stopping by.
