Central Ohio NatureA Sense of Expectation and Wonder
Posted on January 2, 2019
As undoubtedly mentioned before, one of the rewarding aspects of visiting a park on a regular basis is that one can observe nature’s subtle changes as well as the coming and going of various critters that visit the park throughout the year. Many these forays are part of longer urban hikes and are accompanied by fairly low expectations so our gear often consists of an easily packable super-zoom and a small pair of binoculars. With such equipment we are limited in the types of photographs we can obtain but we do have a camera with us.
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Recently we’ve been encouraged with the prospect of seeing the unexpected when Eastern Bluebirds made a Christmas day visit to our front yard suet feeder. We had never seen them in our yard before.
A male Eastern Bluebird gets a drink from a mostly frozen bird bath, (Donna).
One bird with a small piece of suet, “Hey guys go get your own!”, (Donna).
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Yesterday, there were no Bluebirds at the suet feeder so before our new years day tradition of pork, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut we decided to take a walk in Griggs Reservoir Park. It was a cloudy gray-brown day and certainly not one that would beckon a landscape photographer so we walked with the hope of observing a bird or some other small manifestation of nature. I mostly occupied myself with the never-ending task of picking up trash. It’s an activity I always find strangely rewarding especially if the ‘birds’ aren’t cooperating.
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We were almost back to the car after our three-mile saunter when I noticed a small hawk preening itself at the top of a large Sycamore tree. A quick look through the binoculars did not provide an obvious identity so I pulled out my camera and started taking “data acquisition” shots.
Critical tail feather ID shot. The bird was to far away for a good photograph. All shots are heavily cropped, Panasonic FZ300.
Another look for markings.
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It was a Merlin, and even though there had been reports of them at other central Ohio locations it was a bird we had never seen in the park before. How exciting! A dull gray day made magical. The sighting was all the more special because the last time we had seen one was some years ago while hiking the Centennial Ridges Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park. While looking through the binoculars at a dragonfly flying high over head a black streak went through the field of view and the dragonfly disappeared. Looking up a small bird was seen flying towards a tiny island in the center of the lake where it joined others on a perch high over the water.
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As a bit of a postscript, Bald Eagles nest about two miles from our house making it not highly unusual to see them along the reservoir, so as if the reinforce the magic of the place that’s exactly what happened a few days back while on an urban fitness walk.
Bald Eagle over Griggs Reservoir, again the bird was too far away for a good photograph. image heavily cropped, Panasonic FZ150.
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These recent holiday sightings have blessed us with a sense of expectation and wonder for the new year. Our wish is that you to will be blessed in the new year.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Enchanted November Woods
Posted on November 22, 2018
A half an hour before, we were standing in a cold wind just below a dam that has created one of central Ohio’s larger reservoirs trying our best to spot, and perhaps photograph, the Black-legged Kittiwake that was reported in the area. A unique opportunity because it’s a gull not usually seen in these parts. We finally did get a very average binocular view of the bird, another one for my “life list”, but in the process managed to journey pretty far down the road to hypothermia. Now we were looking forward to a hike in the woods with the thought that it wouldn’t be windy and the modest exertion might be enough to warm us up.
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Char-Mar Ridge Park, is not far from the dam so it seemed like a good choice. The park is home to numerous species of large trees as well as a pond that usually contains waterfowl. A plus is that next to the pond is a nicely situated observation blind for undetected viewing. This time of the year finds most leaves, a significant portion of which are oak, on the forest floor as the bare branched sentinels, once their home, tower overhead. The lack of leaves on branches promotes a rather barren landscape but made it easy to spot a Pileated woodpecker just minutes into our walk. It insisted on maintaining its position between us and the sun foiling efforts to obtain a really good photo.
Pileated Woodpecker, all photos may be clicked on for a better view.
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Once in the park it was hard not to notice the uniform blanket of leaves. They accentuated the park’s large rocks and fallen trees giving the sense that one was walking through a sculptor garden.
Oak leaves on log.
Large glacial erratic.
Recent rains darkened fallen trees, further contrasting them with the leaves.
Fallen leaves and branches.
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While I was amusing myself with stumps and fallen trees my wife was doing her best to locate fascinating fungi.
A study of leaves, tree bark, and fungi.
Resinous Polypore, (Donna).
A type of spreading fungi, (Donna).
Lichen and jelly fungi, (Donna).
Common Split Gill just starting out, (Donna).
Colorful Turkeytail.
Perhaps young Cinnabar-red Polypore.
Another look, (Donna).
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It was just a short distance to the blind overlooking the pond and despite the fact that the resident Red Headed Woodpecker was not seen the time spent there did not disappoint. A neighborhood of usual suspects was more than happy to entertain us.
White Breasted Nuthatch, (Donna).
Another look.
Male Cardinal.
White-throated sparrow, (Donna).
Another look.
Tufted Titmouse, (Donna).
What are you looking at?
Downy Woodpecker
Take 2.
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There was also activity on the pond.
Male Hooded Merganser.
Male and female Gadwalls
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It is hard not to be enchanted when one finds color suspended in an otherwise drab gray landscape. Most leaves were down but those on the smaller beech trees hang on and even though their color is no match for the brilliant reds of a maple they did their best to supply color.
Color suspended among slender trees.
A closer look.
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Recent rains meant that some areas still contained “ponds” of standing water on and along the path creating a challenge for dry feet but also provided a unique “looking-glass” into the late autumn woods.
November reflection.
November reflection, black and white.
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November reflection 2.
November reflection 2, black and white .
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In the cold November woods there always is more going on than we know. We move too fast and miss much, wishing for warmer days.
Char-Mar Ridge Park.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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.
Maine Musings
Posted on September 17, 2018
Every couple of years we travel to the coast of Maine. It always seems like our stay is too short. The below images around Stonington as well as Mt Dessert Island are in celebration of our recent visit. For photographers enchanted by rugged natural beauty the coast of Maine offers endless photographic opportunities. As if the natural beauty wasn’t enough, exploring the trails of Acadia National Park often treats one’s senses to the fragrance of salt air and balsam. Not something we get to enjoy in Ohio. Our too brief stop in Stonington left us feeling that our next visit will have to encompass more than just a few hours and there are always more places to see and explore on Mt Dessert Island. Plenty of reasons to return.
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Landscapes:
Along Ship Harbor Trail, Mt Desert Island, (Donna).
Friendship Sloop, Southwest Harbor.
Granite along Ship Harbor Trail.
Harbor Scene, Rockport.
The narrows, Ship Harbor Trail.
Dingy, Southwest Harbor.
Ocean walk, Bar Harbor.
Ship Harbor Trail.
Stonington chair.
Balanced rock. This very large glacial erratic left behind by the receding glaciers 10,000 years ago has fascinated Bar Harbor visitors for years.
Undated picture of balanced rock perhaps from the early 1900’s.
Waiting for the boat, Bar Harbor.
Northeast Harbor.
Lobster boats, Stonington.
Lobster pound, Southwest Harbor.
Stonington waterfront.
Stonington cat.
Along the Ocean Path, Acadia National Park. This is one of the best trails for seascapes but getting a people free picture can be a challenge.
Gulls and boats, Southwest Harbor.
A view of Northeast Harbor from Thuya Gardens.
Margaret Todd off Bar Harbor.
Rainy afternoon, Bar Harbor.
Ocean Path.
Harbor scene, Bar Harbor.
Incoming wave, Ocean Path.
Peapod, Stonington.
Ocean Path.
Lobster boats, Bar Harbor.
Dories, Stonington.
Harbor scene, Southwest Harbor.
Ebbing tide, Stonington.
Unloading the catch, Stonington.
Salt air and balsam along the Ocean Path.
Kim’s Pride, Stonington.
Window, Southwest Harbor.
Friends, Northeast Harbor.
Boat lift, Stonington.
Reflection, Northeast Harbor.
Windows, Stonington.
Cliff along Ocean Path, Acadia National Park.
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Nature:
We saw several non-breeding Black Guillemots as we explored the coves and harbors.
Calico Asters, (Donna).
Female Common Eider with small crab, (Donna).
Colorful fungi, (Donna).
Greater Yellowlegs, (Donna).
Red Squirrel cuteness, Bar Harbor.
Gull with crab at low tide, (Donna).
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Thuya Gardens, (Donna).
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, (Donna).
As we hiked a trail in Thuya Gardens, this salamander just avoided my foot.
American Lady, Thuya Gardens, (Donna).
Another view.
Wild Rose, found along many of the ocean side trails.
Asters
As the tide goes out there’s the enchanting world of tide pools to explore, Wonderland Trail, Acadia National Park.
Tide pool detail, (Donna).
Tide pool.
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We hope you enjoyed this brief interlude from our usual central Ohio posts. For a moment this morning as we walking along Griggs Reservoir in the misty rain, except for the lack of salt air, it was hard not to imagine we were back in Maine. 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.
Exploring The Coves Of Alum Creek Reservoir By Canoe
Posted on July 4, 2018
It promised to be another hot day, but with the sun just rising when we launched it was still pleasant, giving only a hint of the heat to come.
Alum Creek Reservoir at Cheshire Rd.
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Considering the forecast our goal was to be off the water by noon. The wind hardly rippled the water’s surface as quiet paddle strokes moved the canoe toward an area of Alum Creek Reservoir that we hadn’t explored in a while. Two days earlier during an early morning fishing trip I had surprised a Bald Eagle in a tall tree at waters edge. Now with my wife along to handle photography from the bow, I was hoping we would see, and perhaps photograph, some equally interesting things as we explored the coves along our route. For those new to this blog, we love to paddle and to eliminate the need to shuttle cars we usually paddle reservoirs, the more convoluted the better, to maximize time in the canoe.
No matter how one feels about damming up rivers to create reservoirs, in the case of Alum Creek Reservoir it did result a wonderful place to explore containing a rich variety of wildlife. Unlike the often cottage lined predictable shorelines of spring fed glacial lakes in northern states like Michigan, the many small ravines that followed slopes down to the creek resulting in an almost endless number of coves to explore with the coming of the reservoir. In addition, because the reservoir is surrounded by parkland there are virtually no buildings or homes along it’s shore.
Alum Creek Reservoir Paddling Route
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With rainfall this year about six inches above normal giving rise to higher water levels, the lush shoreline vegetation reached right down to waters edge and at times gave the feeling of paddling through a jungle.
Beautiful reflections as the reservoir narrows into a creek, (Donna).
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As nature photographers know, what one sees and what one has a chance to photograph are seldom the same. Particularly when in a canoe which has it’s own stability, speed, and mobility constraints. It turns out that at the very north end of our route we saw a Yellow-crowned Night Heron. The first one we’ve ever seen in Ohio. A little later a pair of very wary Great Horned Owls were seen. The surprised heron spotted us just as we rounded a tight bend in what had become a narrow snag infested creek. It flew before we could react. The outcome was similar for the owls. They were perched high in a tree canopy partially obscured by low lying brush and saw us coming despite our best efforts, moving a little further away each time we tried to get closer.
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But there are always other things to marvel at.
A male Eastern Amberwing perches right near the canoe as we wait quietly in a secluded cove, (Donna).
A Slaty Skimmer enjoys the morning sun, (Donna).
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As we paddled along the shore we were often overwhelmed by the aroma of wild roses.
Donna looks for the best composition.
Bingo!
I try my hand.
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Water loving Lazard’s Tail at waters edge, (Donna).
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Entering some coves small, noisy, and mostly invisible birds were everywhere.
Donna points to what turns out to be a White-breasted Nuthatch.
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Along one stretch of open rocky shore a group of sandpipers, always just a little ahead of us, hurried as we approached.
Spotted Sandpiper, (Donna).
Immature Spotted Sandpiper, (Donna).
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On this particular day the turtles were a little more cooperative than the birds.
Map Turtle, (Donna).
Eastern Spiny Softshell, (Donna).
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If you travel north to Michigan with it’s colder clearer lakes and streams you typically don’t see as many egrets and herons but in Ohio they are very common. I could be wrong but I’ve often thought it’s because the rough fish (catfish, suckers, carp, shad, etc.) that call Ohio’s often turbid waters home are just easier to catch.
A Great Egret gets ready to strike . . . .
and very quickly does!
To no avail.
It heads back to it’s perch . . .
to regain it’s composure and try again.
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Along the shore a Great Egret and a Great Blue Heron seem to be getting along just fine, (Donna).
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Sometimes it’s luck, sometimes persistence, and yes it’s true knowledge and skill do come into play, but if you hike a trail or paddle a lake often enough you will see new and fascinating things.
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In the woods or by a meadow, stream, or lake on any given day, even if nothing new is seen, you will at least return having allowed yourself to be there for a time, in the still freshness of the early morning with the call of the Wood Thrush, or later to the sound of wind as it dances with leaves, breathing air with a hint of wild rose.
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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 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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A Quiet Walk In The Park
Posted on June 16, 2018
It was a quiet morning at Griggs Reservoir Park with little wind and an overcast sky that threatened rain making it almost too dark for pictures. The kind of day one pretty much has the whole park to themself. My pessimism about what would be seen, much less photographed, was reflected in my selection of cameras. I contented myself just with a Panasonic FZ200 superzoom accompanied by a pair of binos, while my wife expressed her optimism by taking a “bird camera”.
Rain and the resultant higher water levels meant that in many areas Water Willow graced the reservoir shoreline.
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With the absence of traffic both in the park and on the reservoir, normally wary and prone to flight Great Blue Herons were content to stay on shoreline perches as we walked by. Other birds also seemed less prone to flight as we got close.
An immature Male Hooded Merganser is spotted with a group of Mallard Ducks, (Donna).
By a rain puddle a Barn Swallow strikes a contemplative pose, (Donna).
A Robin with a mouthful of earthworm and mulberry, (Donna).
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Even with the dullness of the morning the unmistakable fire orange of a noisy Baltimore Oriole caught our eye as it streaked by on it way to a nearby tree. Taking a closer look through dense leaf cover revealed an almost completely hidden nest. Suspended by next winter’s bare branches, what remained would be easy to spot.
Male Baltimore Oriole
Take 2.
Take 3.
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My wife looked ever closer in an effort to see a “new to her” insect or spider. Life that most of us walk right by.
White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillar, (Donna).
Katydid, (Donna).
Female Amber Wing Dragonfly
Through the leaves a lone Painted Turtle is spotted. Not a good day to sun oneself on a log.
A very small and young Gray Tree Frog tries to remain unnoticed, (Donna).
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Seemingly unabated, wildflowers continue their march through the year. Those that greeted us just a few weeks ago are gone but new ones have taken their place. On a sunny day they speak in a bright and joyful voice so it seems counterintuitive that the best time to photograph them is usually on overcast days. No blown out highlights, deep shadow values, and more saturated colors.
Horse Nettle is a good plant just to look at but not to touch.
Canada Thistle is a pesky weed for Ohio farmers.
As if playing “King of The Mountain” the vine and flower of the Morning Glory take advantage of an accommodating Moth Mullein.
Not the most common of our native wildflower standing forlorn at waters edge is what remained of a fairly large display of Butterfly Weed, someone had picked the rest.
Daisy Fleabane.
Thimbleweed.
Tall Meadow-rue.
White Moth Mullein.
Canada Anemone.
Reservoir landscape.
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It never did rain and as our longer than expected time in the park came to a close so did the time for taking a “closer look” and for reflection. As is often the case when in nature we left much richer than when we came.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Perhaps I should stick with photography!
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 to 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. 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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Central Ohio Nature 
