Posted on March 20, 2019
After two months in sunnier climes with limited internet access we are now back home. While still an improvement over Ohio, this winter’s trek south to Florida’s Myakka River State Park in an effort to escape the cold found us greeted by windy cool and sometimes wet weather. The wind precluded using the canoe as a means to gain access to photo opportunities away from the main park roads but we were still able to enjoy hiking even though it was often on partially flooded trails.
.
Every year is different. Last year the arrival of a hurricane not long before our arrival resulted in the park being completely flooded. During our stay the water receded leaving pools of stranded fish for wading birds to gorge themselves on. This occurrence offered a unique opportunity to observe and photograph various wading birds and nothing like it was in the offing this year. The consolation was that the Black Necked Stilt, a favorite bird, was more common than last year. In addition to this year’s critter pics more effort was made to capture the landscape so those shots have been made part of the mix.
.
As in the past Black Necked Stilts continue to charm us.
.
.
Other small wading birds were seen but American Avocets eluded us.
.
.
While certainly not uncommon, we always enjoy seeing the Great and Snowy Egrets. Whiter than white, a slightly overcast day seems to work best for photographing these birds.
.
.
Black Crowned Night and Great Blue Herons are seen in Ohio but not the petite Tri-colored Heron.
.
.
Roseate Spoonbills are right up there with Black Necked Stilts when it comes to interesting birds to observe.
Spoonbills.
.
.
An Alligator Limpkin stare down.
The Alligator and Limpkin were so close together it’s hard to believe they weren’t aware of each other.
.
.
We were fortunate to see several Wood Storks.
.
.
Palm Warblers were everywhere as were Black Vultures. The Barred Owl and the small Common Ground Dove were a rarer treat.
.
.
Flowers, fungi, and air plants:
.
.
Other creatures:
Our friend Teresa was surprised by the opportunity to get this quick shot of a Bobcat as it crossed the trail.
.
This years visit to the park was only six days but we managed to see quite a bit for such a short time. Because of the colder than normal weather there weren’t as many alligators in evidence and while birds were seen the higher than normal water levels and more places to forage meant they were disbursed. We’re planning a return visit next year so who knows what the future holds as every year offers different mix of weather and resultant water levels.
.
Thanks for stopping by.
****
Category: Central Ohio Nature, Florida, Myakka River Sp Tagged: Alligator, Barred Owl, Black Vulture, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black-necked Stilt, Bobcat, Common Ground Dove, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Killdeer, Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Limpkins, Little Blue Heron, Live Oak, Palm Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Roseate Spoonbill, Snowy Egret, Tri-color Heron, Wood Stork
Posted on May 7, 2018
Just a few days ago, during a spring migration walk along Griggs Reservoir, it was quiet. Sure there were a noticeable number of Yellow-rumps, one or two Yellow-throated were heard so high in the Sycamores that they threatened to go into earth orbit, and even some Palms were flitting about with tails bobbing, but most of the kinglets had moved on with nothing else within easy binocular reach taking their place. An unwelcome reminder that spring migration can be that way, one day the land of plenty the next not so much.
.
Over the past few years we’ve enjoyed monitoring a few locations close to home. While we do go further afield we’ve noticed that for us by concentrating on a few locations, the place, as will as the creatures that call it home, seemed to be valued more. We acknowledge that by not hopping in the car in response to an E-bird post there are birds that will not see. With that in mind, the next day we found ourselves back at Griggs Reservoir Park to see if things had changed. Amazingly, as if by magic, brightly colored orange birds that were no where to be seen the day before were now streaking through the air to perches high in trees or low in bushes, they seemed to be everywhere. The park was transformed. Did they arrive quietly during the night on the “red eye”? Your guess is as good as ours. Many were undoubtedly just passing through while others, based on observations from years past, will make the park and it’s environs home for the summer decorating the trees with their hanging nests. As you have probably already guessed these brightly colored birds were Baltimore Orioles.
.
xxxx
.
Even with the arrival of the orioles, other birds including some that are migrants continued to compete for our attention.
Cliff Swallows, a species that in this case builds their communal grouping of nests under a bridge crossing the reservoir, were in the process of gathering nest building material (mud) resulting in a frenzy of activity around a small puddle not far from their nest site, (Donna).
The Cardinal is a beautiful but very common bird in Ohio. We have to remind ourselves not to take it for granted.
Based on the fact that that is where we often saw them, Red-eyed Vireos seemed to really enjoy the Sycamore trees, (Donna).
From a distance, without the aid of binoculars, we first mistake the movement of a Swainson’s Thrush for that of a robin. Many have been seen in the last few days and most are probably just passing through.
.
With the leaves just emerging the orioles were easy to spot but that’s changing fast. In a few days, as green continues to embrace trees and bushes, they will be heard but even with their brilliant color they will be much harder to see. Many will move on with other species taking their place as the march of spring migration continues through central Ohio. We will wait expectantly for our next “new for the year” sighting and there undoubtedly will even be another post to celebrate it. Will it be an American Redstart, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, or something else?
.
Until then thanks for stopping by.
.
Category: Central Ohio Nature, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir Park, Nature Photography, Ohio Nature Tagged: Baltimore Oriole, Blue Bird, Brown Creeper, Canon 80D Sigma 150-600mm lens, Cape May Warbler, Cardinal, Catbird, Cliff Swallows, House Wren, Palm Warbler, Panasonic FZ200, Panasonic Lumix G7 100-400mm, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Redbud, Spotted Sandpiper, Swainson's Thrush, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch
Posted on April 29, 2018
Even for Ohio it’s been an unusually fitful spring, with a warm sunny day followed by one that is cool cloudy and blustery with maybe a little rain or light snow thrown in for good measure. On a recent sunny day we decided to check out the wildflowers along a “new to us” trail that is accessed off Gardner Rd. in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. We were not disappointed as we walked through a wonderful arboretum of nature’s spring.
.
With an open forest canopy this trout lily celebrates the warm spring sun, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
.
Even with wildflowers to enchant it’s difficult not to notice other things.
In the midst of their nest building activities Blue Jays are hard to ignore, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
This time of year along roadside ditches, rivers, and lakes Red-winged Blackbirds are everywhere, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Less noticeable than their male counterpart the female Red-winged Blackbirds have arrived in central Ohio, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
.
They seemed to be getting along just fine . . .
and then . . .
.
.
For nature lovers in central Ohio that have never visited Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, do so, this quietist of the Columbus metro area metro parks is one of our favorites. In just a few days we’ve seen a noticeable increase in the green of the forest canopy so the days of spring wildflowers are fleeting. In the last few days there have been reports of an increase of warbler migrants moving though the area so in the near term we will not run out of things to enchant.
.
Thanks for stopped by.
.
Category: Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir Park, Nature Photography, Wildflowers Tagged: Blue Jay, Buckeye, Chipping Sparrow, Crabapple, Hispid Buttercup, Jacobs Ladder, King Bird, Large Flowered Bellwort, Large-flowered Trillium, Palm Warbler, Phlox, Purple Cress, Red Winged Blackbird, Spring Azure, Spring Beauty, Starling, Toadshade Trillium, Tree Swallow, Virginia Bluebells, White Trout Lilly, Yellow-rumped Warbler
Posted on December 31, 2017
The last day of 2017, what better time to stop for a moment and reflect back to the wonders of nature seen in central Ohio in the past year.
.
<<<>>>
Looking at the landscape as we walked along the Scioto River yesterday it’s hard to believe it’s the same place. Very cold weather has made the river below the dam one of the few stretches of open water that waterfowl can now call home.
.
As always, thanks for stopping by and have a Happy New Year!
Category: Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Nature Photography, Ohio Nature Tagged: American Robin, Bald Eagle, Baltimore Oriole, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Buckeye, Canon 60D with Sigma 18-300mm, Canon 80D Sigma 150-600mm lens, Cardinal Flower, Caspian Tern, Catbird, Chicory, Cliff Swallow, Common Checkered Skipper, Common Loon, Giant Swallowtail, Golden Crown Kinglet, Gray Squirrel, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Hooded Mergansers, Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, mink, Monarch Butterfly, Northern Water Snake, Palm Warbler, Panasonic FZ200, Panasonic Lumix G7 100-400mm, Prothonotary Warbler, Red Admiral, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-spotted Purple, Ring-necked Ducks, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Scarlet Tanager, Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar, Tufted Titmouse, Turkey, Turtlehead, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-collared Scape Moth, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler
Posted on May 11, 2017
In recent days we’ve made a number of trips to areas along Griggs Reservoir and the Scioto River not far from our home. It’s spring migration and the challenge is to see how many migrating birds we can spot right in our “neighborhood”. At some point we may change our emphasis and increase the number of trips we take to more distant birding locations, but for now we’re having fun concentrating on places close to home.
.
To date the most numerous warblers seen are the Palm and Yellow-rumped. While the Yellow-rumped is very common, with more subtle markings than many of it’s peers, I never tire of finding new beauty when I look at one. At Griggs Park the Baltimore Oriole is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Connecting trees with bright sunlit streaks of orange the males seem to be everywhere. Should an oriole or other bird not be close by, it’s easy to find other things to appreciate this time of year.
The boardwalk at Kiwanis Riverway Park. One of our favorite birding spots. The water level was very high when this shot was taken.
.
When we arrive to photograph birds we sometimes find them “still getting ready”,
.
some may be busy doing other things,
A female Baltimore Oriole appears to be trying to build a nest out of monofilament fishing line in Griggs Park. We try to pick up lost or discarded fishing line and tackle whenever we see it.
.
while most are usually ready when we get there,
It appears that this Chickadee has been spending entirely too much time with it’s Tufted Titmouse friends, Griggs Park.
Seeing this White-crowned Sparrow was a real treat, Griggs Park. “White-crowned Sparrows typically breed in the far north in open or shrubby habitats, including tundra, high alpine meadows, and forest edges. Patches of bare ground and grasses are important characteristics. During winter and on migration these birds frequent thickets, . . . “, from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
.
but a few are just trying to get away.
.
Other birds were engaged in finding a find a dry perch, made all the more challenging by recent heavy rains.
.
<<< >>>
.
Many flowers have undoubtedly benefitting from the recent rain.
The flower of the Tulip Tree. Native to eastern North America from southern Ontario and Illinois eastward to Massachusetts and Rhode Island and south to central Florida and Louisiana, Tulip Trees can grow to more than 160 ft in virgin cove forests of the Appalachian Mountains. (Wikipedia)
.
You never know what might be hiding next to a flower.
.
Heading back to the car at the end of one outing, my sharp eyed wife spotted three Northern Water Snakes celebrating the season. The males are quite a bit smaller than the female. These snakes are fairly common along the river and reservoir. However, unlike the various species of turtles which always seem to be around, they aren’t often seen so it was a real treat to see them!
Large female with two smaller male Northern Water Snakes, Griggs Park. They mate from April through June and do not lay eggs like many other snakes. Instead, the mother carries the eggs inside her body and gives birth to free living young and may have as many as thirty at a time, but the average is eight. They are born between August and October. Mothers do not care for their young; as soon as they are born, they are on their own. (Wikipedia)
.
After missing shots of numerous fast moving warblers and the recent challenge when I tried to capture the Black and White, I’ve decided to upgrade my otherwise excellent Canon 60D camera body to a Canon 80D. For the time being the bird camera lens will continue be a Sigma 150-500mm. Future posts will reveal how well it all works out. Thanks for stopping by.
.
PS: As is often the case, Molly Cat sat watching intently as I finished this blog. I’m glad I’m not a mouse!
XXX
.
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.
Category: Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir, Ohio Nature, photography, Wildflowers Tagged: American Robin, Baltimore Oriole, Black and White Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Blue Bird, Butterweed, Canon 50D with 135mm FD lens, Canon 60D with Sigma 150-500mm, Carolina Chickadee, Chipping Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Fishing Spider, Fleabane, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Hobblebush, House Wren, Large Flowered Valerian, Mallard Duck, Northern Water Snake, Palm Warbler, Panasonic ZS50, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Tree Swallow, Tulip Tree, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler
Posted on May 5, 2017
It was mid morning, sunny, the gentle lake breeze was cool, but warmed by the sun we felt energized. That was a good thing because the two and a half hour drive from Columbus had left us feeling just a little lethargic. It was our annual visit to Maggee Marsh in search of migrating warblers and we had just arrived at the parking lot adjacent to the boardwalk. Once in the refuge, located along the south shore of Lake Erie, we had made our way toward the lake on a very straight two lane road bordered by wetlands. On the ground and overhead a welcoming committee of more than the usual number of Great Egrets, a generous smattering of Great Blue Herons, a Snowy Egret, as well some of the other usual suspects, had greeted us. Near the lake, high in a Cottonwood, an active eagle’s nest could be seen. It felt like it was going to be a good day in birders paradise!
.
On this particular morning, as I hoisted my heavy camera over my shoulder, I couldn’t help thinking it would be nice to enlist all my senses and just be there with only binoculars in hand. But you never know what might be seen so better take the camera. After all, it’s a tool that does allow one to better tell stories and that’s good. However, when it’s pressed against my face I’m removed from the experience I seek to capture, caught up in the details (see PS: below) of taking a reasonable photograph of an object that refuses to sit still among what seems like an infinite number of twigs, leaves, and branches. Sometime it might really be nice just to hang out with these little guys. Besides, it’s not like there’s a shortage of excellent photos on the web of almost any bird you could imagine. However, I’m not quite there yet, so with the camera in hand the internal debate goes on.
.
In the spring the area acts as a stop off point for migrating warblers as they pause to rest and wait for a favorable wind to carry them north across the lake to summer breeding grounds. The boardwalk, right along the lake with wetlands to the south, winds it’s way through a wet low lying area with numerous tall trees, including many Cotton Woods, and plenty of bushes and other ground cover that warblers as well as other birds seem to enjoy. This makes them especially easy to see.
.
In past years we’ve gotten a fairly early start and have seen birds in the morning but our experience has been that things don’t really get cranked up until the afternoon. Such was the case on this trip. After lunch a lot more birds were seen. It may have something to do with temperature as it did warm up considerably as the day progressed.
.
Ruby Crowned Kinglets were everywhere. That was the case throughout the day.
.
The Yellow Warblers were also hard to miss.
.
As the day went on we saw other birds. We were especially excited to see Black-throated Blue Warblers.
.
Palm Warblers were numerous.
.
A Cape May Warbler proved a challenge to photograph.
.
One of Ohio’s most commonly seen warblers made it’s presence known.
.
Looking more like a thrush than a warbler, it was great to see a, not often seen, Ovenbird.
.
We did also see a thrush.
.
Catbirds made a good showing along the boardwalk.
.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were also trying to get our attention.
.
A Tree Swallow was seen at it’s nesting cavity.
.
White-throated Sparrows were hard to ignore in the low underbrush.
.
Not far from the boardwalk Solitary Sandpipers were busy foraging for food.
.
Along one of the canals, and partially hidden by low lying foliage, several Green Herons were spotted.
.
At the opposite end of the spectrum from the kinglets, Bald Eagles were getting on with their life.
.
Despite the grand reception as we entered the refuge, we didn’t see as many warbler species as in past years. However, there were still plenty of birds. While photographs were obviously taken, enough time was an spent listening and looking, as the fragrance of flowering bushes occasionally wafting past on the cool lake breeze, that I was there and not just behind the camera lens.
.
PS: On a technical note, many of the photos taken on this trip were blurry or overexposed to the point of not being usable. A few could be salvaged through post processing. After arriving home exposure compensation was found to be set at +1.3 EV and aperture had somehow been bumped to f13 for at least part of the time. It’s not like this is the first time I’ve taken a picture but I got lazy. Always check your settings and double check them throughout the day.
.
Thanks for stopping by.
.
XXX
.
Should you wish, prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo.
Category: Central Ohio Nature, Magee Marsh, Ohio Nature, photography Tagged: Bald Eagle, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Canon 60D with Sigma 150-500mm, Cape May Warbler, Catbird, Green Heron, Ovenbird, Palm Warbler, Panasonic Lumix G 100-400mm, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Solitary Sandpiper, Swainson's Thrush, Tree Swallow, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler
Posted on May 1, 2017
When younger one of my greatest joys was running trails in the various area parks and experiencing the exhilaration as my body rose to the challenge of each new hill or greater distance. Blame it on the aches and pains of age, overuse, or maybe just wanting something more out of the experience, but at some point trail running wasn’t as enjoyable so I started to walk when in the woods. Sometimes I walked fast, but often a little slower not worrying as much about getting a “workout”. It wasn’t long before I started seeing things I hadn’t noticed before and often found myself stopping for a better look. At first, armed with only a little curiosity, I did so impatiently, wanting to keep moving. But gradually, the more I looked the more was noticed; relationships and interconnections, certain butterflies liked certain plants, some birds were usually found in the treetops, others on the ground, and some somewhere in between. Some birds passed through very briefly in spring and fall while others appeared to hang around all year. There were unique spring, summer, and fall wildflowers. Nothing was forever, flowers faded, plants died, hawks ate squirrels, storms downed once admired stately trees, but through it all there was always new life.
.
Aware of their interconnectedness, the plants, animals, and insects seen became more interesting, and then they, as well as the experience of being in nature, became almost magical. There was apparently a lot more going on than I ever realized when running. Slowly, rather than being “inner-directed” and worrying about “breathing and pulse rate”, I became “outer-directed”. A feeling of being part of something much bigger than myself, or even humankind, started to develop. Before long a feeling of oneness with “that bigger something” would embrace me while walking through the woods or paddling a lake or river. But also a heightened awareness arose that, like the “stately tree”, I was not here forever. I had been given a gift that allowed me, for a very brief moment of seemingly insignificant time, to look, listen, smell, and touch the wonder of it all.
.
So on that note, the following pictures of things seen in nature over the last few days are offered as a merger celebration of this brief moment in time.
.
The Baltimore Orioles have arrived to nest along the Scioto River and Griggs Reservoir.
.
Paddling on Griggs Reservoir it’s hard not to notice that the Wild Columbine is in bloom along the low but rocky cliffs of reservoir’s east shore.
.
Walking park paths other late spring wildflowers have also been seen.
.
Very common Yellow-rumped Warblers pass through Griggs Park heading north to Michigan or Canada to nest.
.
High in a Sycamore the first Great Crested Flycatcher of the year is seen. It will probably nest along Griggs Reservoir.
.
A whimsical year round resident, this Carolina Wren shows off it’s prize.
.
Numerous Palm Warblers are seen passing through Griggs Park as they also head further north.
.
Also on it’s way further north a Nashville Warbler forages at the edge of the Scioto River. Not a bird we often see.
.
As it searches for higher ground a Northern Water Snake is seen along the rain swollen Scioto River.
.
A “turtle family” doesn’t seem to mind the high water.
.
Trying to locate a warbler we sometimes have a sense we’re being watched.
.
Sure enough!
.
We hope that in the past few days your adventures in nature have been as rewarding as ours. Thanks for stopping by.
.
XXX
.
Should you wish, prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo.
Category: Birding in Ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir, Ohio Nature, photography, Scioto River, Wildflowers Tagged: Appendaged Waterleaf, Baltimore Oriole, Canon 60D with Sigma 150-500mm, Carolina Wren, Gray Squirrel, Great Crested Flycatcher, Nashville Warbler, Northern Water Snake, Palm Warbler, Panasonic FZ200, Red-eared Slider, Wild Columbine, Yellow-rumped Warbler
Tales of the journeys of a piecemeal adventurer as a discontinuous narrative
Sharing My Passion of Birds and Wildlife
naturephotography
The life of an elderly Londoner and her travels.
A look at life in the borders
Insight, information, and inspiration for the inquisitive nature photographer
The Wildlife in Nature
Home of Lukas Kondraciuk Photography
Ellen Grace Olinger
The sun is the great luminary of all life - Frank Lloyd Wright
Nature photography
My journey through photography
Essays, photos, and discussion about prairie ecology, restoration, and management
Kerry Mark Leibowitz's musings on the wonderful world of nature photography
Ellen Grace Olinger
A weblog dedicated to the world outside the cities.
Mike and Lori adrift
Exploring Nature in New Hampshire
https://natureinfocus.blog