Central Ohio NatureAn Early Spring Paddle
Posted on April 5, 2020
In recent days bird activity betrays the fact that from a distance the landscape is still more reminiscent of a snowless winter day than spring. Hearing but not seeing any first of the season migrating warblers we’ve nonetheless been entertained by other birds engaged in spring preparations or just passing through.
Eastern Phoebe
White-throated Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
It’s a male!
Female Cardinal.
An illusive Brown Creeper
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It’s not just the sight and sound of birds, but the call of spring peepers in low lying flooded areas, that bring music to the day. Much easier to see but not nearly as vocal, bullfrogs are also present. Under budding bare branches in wooded areas a closer look around our feet reveals spring wildflowers sparkling in last year’s leaf litter.
Spring Beauty
Bloodroot, (Donna)
Twinleaf, (Donna)
Bullfrog
The very small flowers of Harbinger of Spring, (Donna)
Dutchman’s Breeches, (Donna).
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Recently, after arriving at a local park, a magic moment occurred when a large group of White Pelicans were spotted overhead on their way north. Something we don’t recall ever seeing in central Ohio before. By the time cameras left their bags, etc., there was time for just one shot before the birds were obscured by nearby trees.
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The chocolate milk color of water in most central Ohio reservoirs says spring and offers proof of recent heavy rains and runoff from yet to be planted farm fields. However, yesterday we ignored the water’s uninviting color, given that it was an otherwise a perfect day, and launched the canoe to go exploring. As we headed out, numerous Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and Bonaparte’s Gulls continued to feed on small dead or dying shad (as they have for the last couple of weeks), while turtles took advantage of the warm sun.
Almost ready to launch on Griggs Reservoir in our fast 18ft Sawyer Cruiser.
Red Eared Sliders enjoy the sun, (Donna).
Many trees are starting to leaf out. There were very few boats on the reservoir for a Saturday.
Great Egrets in breeding plumage, (Donna).
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This large beaver lodge has been at the north end of Griggs Reservoir for years.
A lighter Red Eared Slider and a Map Turtle.
My wife had numerous opportunities to photograph Wood Ducks during our paddle. This was one of her best shots.
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So hopefully warbler spring migrant pictures will grace the pages of a blog in the near future but in the mean time we’ll continue to celebrate all of the other things seen.
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Stay safe and as always, thanks for stopping by
An Early June Paddle On Griggs Reservoir
Posted on June 12, 2018
A few days ago while fishing I was fortunate to see two Black-crowned Night Herons. Such a sighting is always a treat in Ohio as, unlike Great Blue Herons, they are only found in a few isolated locations with Griggs Reservoir being one. As you might expect most of their activity is a night so during the day they are usually found perched quietly in trees at waters edge.
Fishing rig for the reservoir.
Black-crowned Night Heron
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Given my good fortune the day before, my wife expressed the desire to do a paddle, bird camera in hand, with the express goal of seeing and perhaps photographing the herons. Of course as most birders know there is an element of uncertainty to these endeavors. After eight miles of paddling no Black-crowned Night Herons were seen much less photographed but as is often the case other things made up for it.
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As I moved the canoe closer a very young White Tail fawn at waters edge tries to remain unnoticed, (Donna).
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An also very young Map Turtle, about the size of a fifty cent piece, enjoys the morning sun, (Donna).
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We catch a rare glimpse of a female wood slinking along the shore with young ones. Usually by the time we get this close they’ve scattered. An outcome we try to avoid, (Donna).
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Typical evasive “wounded” maneuver by a female with young when you get too close, (Donna).
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In a second he was gone but that was all the time my wife needed to catch this Mink. Pretty exciting as it had been a while since we’d seen one, (Donna).
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A Red-eared Slider poses for a picture. It may now be more common in the reservoir than the Map Turtle, (Donna).
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Usually several groups of mallard duckling are seen during early June paddles, (Donna).
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Like all youngsters this immature Red-tailed Hawk was making a lot of noise, demanding to be noticed.
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Given the number of nesting boxes Prothonotary Warblers are certainly not rare in central Ohio. However, whenever we find one “setting up housekeeping” in a natural tree cavity it’s particularly exciting. Such was the case with the below female at the north end of Griggs.
Prothonotary Warbler, (Donna).
Another view, (Donna).
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We were almost to the 161 bridge and Kiwanis Riverway Park when we saw the prothonotary and usually go just a little further before turning for the journey home. However, on this particular day it was hard to imagine what would be discovered that would top that already seen so with a fair breeze off our stern we somewhat reluctantly pointed the bow south and headed home. A wonderful way to finish the day.
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Thanks for stopping by
Central Ohio Nature 