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 Thankful Reflection
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.
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Griggs Reservoir.
Bald Eagle along the Scioto below Griggs Dam.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Golden Crown Kinglet, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Along the Scioto River
Tufted Titmouse, (Donna).
November reflection, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Covered Bridge, Mohican State Park.
The Big Darby, Prairie Oaks Metro Park
Buckeye, (Donna).
Monarch, (Donna).
Griggs Reservoir
Solitary leaf
Chicory
Design, (Donna).
Red-spotted Purple, (Donna).
Alum Creek Reservoir, (Donna).
Autumn color.
Black-crowned Night Heron, Griggs Reservoir.
Giant Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar.
Mink, Au Sable River MI, (Donna).
Au Sable River Smallmouth, MI, (Donna).
Devoe Lake, MI.
Cardinal Flowers, Rifle River Rec, Area, MI.
Turtlehead, Rifle River Rec. Area. MI.
Common Loons, Devoe Lake, MI, (Donna).
Meal time, Devoe lake, MI
Caspian Tern, Loud Pond, Au Sable River, MI.
Catbirds, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Griggs Reservoir waterfall.
Yellow-throated Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Common Checkered Skipper, (Donna).
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Red Admiral, (Donna).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Cliff Swallows, (Donna).
Gray Squirrel.
Baltimore Oriole.
Mohican River, Mohican State Park.
Prothonotary Warbler
Green Heron, Griggs Reservoir
Yellow-collared Scape Moth, (Donna).
Northern Water Snake.
Red-eyed Vireo, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Great Blue Heron, Scioto River, (Donna).
Hayden Run Falls
Mating Northern Water Snakes, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Scarlet Tanager, Griggs Reservoir Park.
White-crowned Sparrow, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Palm Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Turkey, Blendon Woods Metro Park, (Donna).
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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.
Hooded Mergansers.
More robins than we could count took turns getting a cool drink at waters edge.
Ring-necked Ducks.
The Scioto River below Griggs Dam
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As always, thanks for stopping by and have a Happy New Year!
A Journey Into Autumn
Posted on October 2, 2017
I have to admit that autumn sometimes leaves me feeling a little beside myself. It’s truer this year because the weather has been beautiful, it’s been great to be outdoors as the landscape transforms, but the very dry conditions have made it a real challenge to capture beautiful images. Past experience tells me that trying too hard usually leads to failure. The picture needs to come to you. So looking for autumn landscapes I must often resign myself to photographing details to capture the color. Even so the dryness has resulted in colors that often seem muted which goes along with the dry crunch of leaves under foot as one explores a favorite path. So the day after day low autumn sun and the resulting bluer than blue skies continue to delight while causing one to wonder where the rivers are finding the water to keep flowing. Every autumn is comes and goes in it’s own way.
Leaves along the Big Darby, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Thankfully, as I look for that “autumn landscape”, my wife’s passion for butterflies and other things closer to the lens continues unabated as she contributes by capturing whimsical patterns in leaves . . .
America Basswood seeds, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Wingstem Seeds, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Milkweed goes to seed, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Leaves, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Patterns, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Reflections, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
Virginia Creeper, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Grass, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Prairie Grass, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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. . . and the flurry of autumn insect activity.
Eastern Comma, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Pearl Crescent, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Buckeye, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Eastern-tailed Blue, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Familiar Bluet, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Yellow Jacket, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Red-spotted Purple, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Virginia Ctenucha, backyard garden, (Donna).
We rescued this Wooly Bear Caterpillar (Isabella Tiger Moth) from the bike path and then spent some time observing its behavior. It’s deliberate movement would seem to indicate it was heading for a safe place to spend the winter. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Monarch, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Meadow Fritillary, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Painted Lady, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Another view, (Donna).
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Over two weeks without appreciable rain, a blue sky, rocky shore, and clear water, Griggs Reservoir.
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An interesting inhabitant in the Scioto River below Griggs Dam this summer has been a solitary Hooded Merganser. It appears to have become part of an extended mallard family. While undoubtedly not that uncommon, it’s the first time we recall witnessing such behavior.
Hooded Merganser, Scioto River below Griggs Dam, (Donna).
Another view.
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We continue to see the other usual suspects, some with autumn color to give a sense of place.
White Breasted Nuthatch, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Immature Double-crested Cormorant, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
Male Downy Woodpecker, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Immature Cardinal, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Great Blue Heron, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
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Asters along the Big Darby, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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While the autumn leaves may not be living up to expectation, fall wildflowers are doing their best to pick up the slack.
Asters, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Lit from behind, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Purple Asters
Phlox, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Asters look toward the sun, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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The dryness has made hunting for fungi more hunting than finding but we did come upon one extraordinary specimen that was more than 12 inches across.
A very large unidentified fungi, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Another look.
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Sunny weather is forecast for the next few days. With cool mornings and warm afternoons it continues to be a great time to be outdoors. If that perfect autumn landscape continues to elude it may be time to pick up the fly rod and head out in pursuit of a Small Mouth Bass. Though decisions!
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Big Darby Creek at sunrise, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Hopefully the area where you live has been blessed with late summer and early autumn rains that will result in beautiful fall colors and an autumn to remember. 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.
A Few Days Along The Rifle River
Posted on August 19, 2017
Last week we spent a few days in Michigan in the Rifle River Recreation Area not far from the town of West Branch on the northeast side of the lower peninsula. With a number of excellent hiking trails, and lakes that don’t allow motors, it’s an excellent place for nature viewing. The lack of boat generated wakes on Devoe Lake means that Loons nest there. To the best of our knowledge it’s the closest location from central Ohio where nesting Loons can be seen. There are also Bald Eagles, Osprey as well as other birds to enjoy. When out exploring one is also treated to dragonflies and butterflies, as well as a number wildflowers not seen in central Ohio. Not far from the park is the AuSable River and the adjacent National Forest create even more opportunities for paddling and outdoor adventure.
Overlooking Grousehaven Lake, early morning.
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We could spend hours watching loons. A quiet paddle on Devoe Lake allows one to observe them as they go about their day.
Adult Common Loon, Devoe Lake
In the middle of preening this adult seems to be sneaking a peek.
Testing it’s wings, (Donna).
The young are almost always begging for food.
The adult comes through. How does a bird as big as a loon chase down such a small fish under water?
One more picture.
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A view from the canoe.
Devoe Lake
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Bald Eagles are sometimes seen flying overhead as we observe the loons with their young. If they get too close the adult loons create quite a commotion!
A Bald Eagle looks over Devoe Lake.
Bald Eagle, Load Pond, AuSable river.
Take 3, (Donna).
Other birds of prey also frequent the area.
An Osprey takes a break along the shoreline of Devoe Lake, (Donna).
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Early morning solitude near our campsite.
Looking across the Jewett Lake.
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Most birds were seen from the canoe as we made our way along the shoreline of Devoe and Grebe Lakes, as well as Loud Pond on the Au Sable River.
Baltimore Oriole, Devoe Lake.
A Kingbird, the dragonflies worst enemy, waits for it’s next meal along the shore of Devoe Lake.
Three Caspian Terns circled overhead, occasionally landing, as we made our way back to our launch site on wind swept Loud Pond. A few reasonable sharp images were obtained.
Trumpeter Swans, Grebe Lake.
A Kingfisher actually stays put long enough for a “usable” picture, Devoe Lake.
A Green Heron is caught preening, Devoe Lake, (Donna).
Spotted Sandpiper, Loud Pond.
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While hiking, especially this time of year, birds usually give way to the wildflowers and interesting types of fungus.
Coral fungus near our campsite.
Turtlehead.
Bridge across the Rifle River.
Grass of Parnassus
Ontario Lobelia
An exotic looking mushroom near our campsite.
Knapweed, (ID c/o “NH Garden Solutions”)
Indian Pipe
Donna enjoying the ferns.
Doll’s Eyes
Asters
Broad-leaved Arrowhead
Great Blue Lobelia.
Fringed Loosestrife, (Donna).
Just after this picture was taken this tree got a big hug!
Hawkweed.
Cardinal Flower was quiet common in the wet areas of the park.
Mushroom family near our campsite, (Donna).
Picture Plant and flower. Tough to get a good picture of.
An attractive group of mushrooms along the trail.
An attractive flower that has eluded identification. Some type of lobelia?
St. John’s Wort, (Donna).
Another example of some of the interesting fungi seen, (Donna).
Virgin’s Bower. (ID c/o “NH Garden Solutions”)
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Dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies were seen as we enjoyed the wildflowers included one butterfly not typically seen in central Ohio.
Ruby Meadowhawk, (Donna).
The very small American Copper, not a butterfly we’ve seen in central Ohio, (Donna).
Monarchs mating.
Pelecinid Wasp
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, (Donna).
Mating Robber Flies. Robber flies are one of the insect worlds more ferocious looking subjects. An appearance that is not unwarranted!
Mating Spreadwings, (Donna).
Bad-Wing Moths mating.
Spotted Spreadwing, (Donna).
Katydid.
Red-spotted Purple, (Donna).
Vesper Bluet, (Donna).
Dragon Hunter, (Donna).
A Crab Spider ambushes a bee, (Donna).
Canada Darner
Common Wood-Nymph on Spiked Blazing-star.
Appalachian Brown, (Donna).
Great Spangled Fritillary, (Donna).
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A sense of place.
The Rifle River as it flows through the park.
Exploring a quiet backwater.
The quiet shoreline of Loud Pond, the AuSable River.
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Shall we go for a hike or paddle? The decision is often made based on the weather conditions. Wind and choppy water make canoe photography with long lenses almost impossible. However, should conditions permit we’re usually not disappointed be the flowers seen as we paddle!
Scaup Lake, Rifle River Rec Area.
Pickerel Weed and Lilly Pads, Grebe Lake.
Pickerel Weed, Grebe Lake.
American White Water Lily, Grebe Lake.
A closer look.
Meadow Sweet, (ID c/o “NH Garden Solutions”), (Donna).
Swamp Smartweed
Water Shield, (ID c/o “NH Garden Solutions”), (Donna).
Yellow Pond Lily, (Donna).
Burr Reed, (ID c/o “NH Garden Solutions”), (Donna).
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Sometimes when hiking you don’t have to look real close to be overwhelmed by the beauty.
Gamble Creek, Class 1 trout stream, Rifle River Rec Area.
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No post would be complete without touching on some of the reptiles and amphibians seen. Seeing the skink was a surprise.
Bullfrog.
Wood Frog.
Painted Turtle
Five-lined Skink.
Garter Snake.
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While fishing along the Au Sable River upstream of Loud Pond, a Mink is sighted!
A Mink scurries along the bank, (Donna).
Au Sable River, catch and release, Small Mouth Bass. The river is one of the best Small Mouth Bass fisheries in the Midwest.
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We spend a lot of time looking and exploring but sometimes there’s a lot to be said for just being there.
The end of the day, Devoe Lake.
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We hope you’ve enjoyed this very incomplete sample of things that can be seen and experienced in the Rifle River Recreation Area.
The beauty is, the more time spent in nature the more you will see, the more you see the more you will want to understand and soon you’ll be carried away by the wonder and magic of it all.
As always thanks for stopping by!
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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.
“Black Lagoon” Crayfish and Things Eating Things
Posted on August 27, 2016
Well not exactly the Black Lagoon (recalling a movie from childhood), but while I was in Michigan fishing my wife continued to explore the areas around our home in central Ohio. One morning between heavy rain storms she observed some rather interesting behavior by the local crayfish population in Griggs Reservoir as they gathered along the shore and then partially crawled out of the water. We spent some time researching crayfish (did you know there are 20 species in Ohio?), trying to understand this behavior but to no avail. Our only guess is it had something to do with the recent heavy rains.
The Griggs Reservoir crayfish seemed to be waiting in line to peer above the water’s service, (Donna).
One rather large specimen takes his time looking around, (Donna).
It became a group activity.
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Upon my return we spent time paddling Griggs Reservoir as well as exploring Prairie Oaks Metro Park looking for late summer dragonflies and butterflies. At Prairie Oaks we arrived about 20 seconds to late, according to our hiking companions, to witness a garden spider making quick work of a dragonfly that it had captured in it’s web. That spider was fast!
Unfortunate dragonfly, Prairie Oaks
Black and Yellow Garden Spider.
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. . . and continuing with the same theme, just a few days earlier my wife caught this robber fly enjoying lunch at the expense of a careless bee.
Robber Fly, Griggs Park, (Donna).
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Also courtesy of my wife sharp eye, one last series of photos dealing with things eating other things.
Double-crested Cormorant attempts to eat a Crappie on Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
Ultimately, the Crappie being just a little too big to swallow, swam away, (Donna).
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We don’t usually consider ourselves a food source so it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that if a creature is not in the process of being eaten, it is usually searching for or waiting to ambush it’s next meal, or if successful, eating it. Spending time in nature guarantees one will witness such things from time to time. In the last few days not everything seen has been in the process of eating or engaged in some unusual hard to explain behavior. Some things were just posing for the camera.
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There were butterflies, some of which like the Summer Azure and Eastern Tailed Blue are very small.
Red-spotted Purple, Griggs Park.
Buckeye, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Viceroys, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Summer Azure, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Meadow Fritillary, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Eastern Tailed Blue, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Monarch, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Juvenal’s Duskywing (F), Griggs Reservoir.
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Dragonflies.
Eastern Amberwing, Prairie Oaks, (Donna).
Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Griggs Reservoir.
Common Whitetail, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Eastern Pondhawk (F), Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Calico Pennant, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Powdered Dancer (Blue form), Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
Ebony Jewelwing, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Eastern Pondhawk, Griggs Reservoir
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Moths, they come in an amazing array of shapes and sizes.
Snowberry Clearwing Moth, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Chickweed Geometer Moth, Griggs Park, (Donna).
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and other things.
Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Common Dogwood Sawfly Caterpillar, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Bumblebee on False Dragonhead, north end of Griggs Reservoir.
Arrowroot, north end of Griggs Reservoir.
Map Turtle with friend, Griggs reservoir, (Donna).
Loaded with pollen, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Solitary Sand Wasp, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Monarch Butterfly caterpillar, Griggs Park, (Donna).
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Oh yes, we have been seeing birds and a few posed for a picture.
Northern Flicker, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Eastern Phoebe, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Hairy Woodpeckers, north end of Griggs Reservoir.
Mallards creating reflection art, Griggs Reservoir.
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Once again we find ourselves amazed at what is seen right under our nose in central Ohio. Should you be curious about such things, but not inclined to try your hand at photography, get a pair of binoculars, preferably a pair with close focus capability, and a new world will be opened to you! Thanks for stopping by.
North end of Griggs Reservoir from the canoe, (Donna).
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Devoe Lake’s Summer Gift
Posted on August 21, 2016
Every summer for the last number of years in the company of friends I’ve made a fishing pilgrimage to the Rifle River Recreation Area in Michigan. On this year’s trip, like most recently, many fish were caught and released. Only six hours north of our home in central Ohio, it’s a special place where nesting Loons can be seen. While paddling it’s not uncommon to have one surface nearby or to see other wildlife not far away. The Loons are unique in their nesting requirements and are certainly there because no motors are allowed on any of the lakes in the park. If you want to fish, or just explore, it must be under your own power.
Loons, Devoe Lake
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Areas of the country that are privileged to have four seasons, unfold like a flower in spring and summer only to experience a fiery death during the shorter, colder, red, and yellow days of fall. Devoe Lake is such a place, where the beauty of spring and summer is not ours for long, where for a brief time under blue skys and puffy white clouds one witnesses the sights and sounds of birds, insects, and wildflowers as life is celebrated. A place where a quiet observer may see a Loon attentively feeding her young as dragonflies, or even a Bald Eagle, fly overhead and where a Kingbird and Green Heron may be seen perched in a tree at waters edge while somewhere further down the lake the raucous call of a Kingfisher is heard.
The strikingly beautiful flower of the Grass-of-Parnassus common along the shore of Devoe Lake
Early morning, Devoe Lake.
A typical catch on Devoe Lake. Many fish show evidence of having been previously caught.
Prized for their good taste and seeming abundance a successful Devoe Lake fisherman shows of his catch of 35 Bluegill. In recent years with the rise in popularity of kayak fishing and more sophisticated boats, often equipped with fish finders and GPS, such catches are a lot easier and undoubtedly more common on Devoe. On a lake that’s less than a mile long and one half mile wide one can’t help wondering if such good times will last.
A Red Spotted Purple visits our campsite, Devoe Lake rustic campground.
Reflecting the rays of the low sun against a gray sky, a Kingbird waits for an insect to fly by, Devoe Lake.
Just be taking a break? A juvenile Green Heron perches high in a tree at waters edge, Devoe Lake.
Paddling under gray skies and clouds that threaten rain, Devoe Lake.
Bald Eagles along the shoreline of Devoe Lake
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Return just a few months later and this unique beauty will be gone. No wildflowers will grace the shoreline of the lake. Rain, whether falling quietly or pounding to accompaniment of lightning and the sound of thunder, will have given way to the silence of the seasons first snow. At night the call of the Eastern Whip-poor-will will not be heard. The lake’s blue surface will not dance to the beat of an ever changing breeze and Painted Turtles will not cruise the clear depths below your canoe. It will be quiet except for the wind as it moves through now bare branches. The sky will more often be gray and the water now solid, unmoving, and partially covered in white, will reflect it’s color.
Morning sun and mist, Devoe Lake.
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No matter the season Devoe Lake gives of it’s beauty sparingly and then takes it away leaving one to wait restlessly for another year. The fleeting days of summer are no exception.
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Thanks for stopping by.
A Walk In The Smoky Mountains
Posted on September 14, 2015
Recently we got together with friends for a few days hiking in the Smoky Mountains near Ashville, North Carolina. Basecamp was the Sourwood Inn located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many things of the seen are not unique to the area but put together they do paint a beautiful picture of one of the more interesting natural areas in the US. Our hikes were typically long, 6 – 10 miles, with a fair bit of climbing so camera equipment consisted of an Panasonic Fz200 and a Canon SX260.
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On the Looking Glass trail.
Some of our group.
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The mountains of North Carolina are a great place for fungi so it always gets quite a bit of our attention. Unfortunately, based on visual characteristics alone, it can be very hard to ID so we’re always open to corrections and clarifications.
A unidentified type of bolete.
Turkey Tail
Old Man of The Woods, (Donna)
Bolete with a horizontal orientation which we had never seen before.
Pestle-shaped Coral, (Donna)
Shaggy-stalked Bolete, (Donna)
Shaggy-stalked Bolete, a little older.
Unidentified Mushroom
Firm Russula, (Donna)
Sharp-scaly Pholiota, (Donna)
Crowded Parchment
Sulfur Tuft, (Donna)
Unidentified emergent mushrooms
Tinder Polypore
Fungus and moss.
Mushroom Family
Coral Fungus
Rag-veil Amanita emerging.
Rag-veil Amanita, too big to stand.
Another type of bolete.
Polypore on a fallen log.
Puffball family.
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A view from the top during the Looking Glass hike.
A great place to take a break before the trip down.
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Where there’s fungus there’s moss and lichen.
Lichen and leaf abstract.
Lung Lichen
Lichen?
Hanging garden.
Old Man’s Beard
Reindeer Lichen
Parasitic plants, Beechdrops (Epifagus americana) along the Snowball Trail.
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The Mountain to Sea Trail is up and down with few long climbs.
Mountain to Sea Trail
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Fascinating plants and flowers punctuated fungus and lichen sightings.
Partridge Berry
Aster
Snakeroot and Alanthus Webworm Moth, (Donna)
Foxglove?, (Donna)
Coral Root, (Donna)
Indian Pipe
Late summer color
Small Blue Flowers
Butterfly Weed
Lobelia?
Aster
Turtlehead
Berries and Color
Autumn Design
Aster
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Some trails are easier than others.
Just kidding.
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A few of our insect friends were also seen.
Mating, (Donna)
Red-spotted Purple
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It never hurts to be aware of your surroundings when your head is close to the ground looking for mushrooms . . .
The first Black Bear we ever encountered on the trail, (Donna).
We zoom in, (Donna).
He’s curious, we’re curious.
That’s close enough!, (Donna)
The type of sign that most of us pay little attention to.
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When not running away from bears there are also reptiles to be seen.
A Rat Snake checks us out.
Then decides to wander off, (Donna).
A skink plays hide and seek, (Donna)
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The group at the trail head after a long hike.
Looking Glass trail head.
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The NC mountains are a wonderful place just to be.
Sunrise from Sourwood Inn.
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The area around Ashville, NC is a hiker and nature lovers mecca. There are an almost infinite number of trails of varying degrees of difficulty to choose from. You may even get to see a bear!
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Thanks for stopping by.
