Central Ohio NatureA Primal Experience
Posted on October 30, 2019
Later wishing for a more serious camera, I stuffed a small travel zoom into my pocket as I left the house just in case something of interest was spotted. Loading the 14′ Hornbeck and associated fishing equipment I was on a quest for central Ohio’s elusive Smallmouth Bass in the river near our home. The small camera was a concession. When fishing, it’s important not to be encumbered by “serious” photographic equipment. Either fish or photograph, it’s hard if not impossible to do both justice.
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A cloudy, cool, and quiet late October afternoon offered conditions where you would almost expect the fish to jump into the boat but even so it had been over an hour since two reasonable sized fish had paid attention to any of my offerings. I was thinking about calling it quits for the day. But perhaps just one more pass along the west bank of the river was in order. You never know.
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It was then that a small dark brown fury creature with a white chin was spotted enjoying a mid-afternoon snack. A Mink! As I moved closer it showed no intention of abandoning it’s meal, which turned out to be a recently deceased and very large Channel Catfish. It alternately glanced my way then pulled and tore at the hapless creature’s flesh each time backing away with a healthy mouthful. A unambiguous reminder that in nature almost everything is dinner for something else. The Mink looked ferocious and seemed even larger when fully engaged with the catfish so I was glad to be in the canoe.
The catfish is considerably larger than the Mink. What caused it’s death is unclear. (Scioto River just below Griggs Dam)
The Mink may not have been the only creature that stopped by to enjoy the catfish.
There are also Coyotes, Racoons, Bald Eagles, and vultures in the area.
It’s hard to imagine any of these other creatures trying to horn in while the Mink worked on the carcass.
The Mink with it’s distinctive white chin.
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Over the years we have seen a number of these fascinating creatures along the shore of Griggs Reservoir. They usually move quickly with short pauses as they explore the shoreline rocks and exposed tree roots for their next meal and we are often in a moving canoe when one is seen. Getting a good picture has always been a challenge. Never has one stayed in the same spot for so long. The reasonably fresh catfish sushi was apparently just too enticing.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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So Close To Home
Posted on September 3, 2018
Usually when one thinks about life in Columbus, shopping malls, the local college football team, and rapid urban development come to mind. Columbus, with its multifaceted economy has escaped the malaise of many midwestern cities that relied on manufacturing and heavy industry for their prosperity so outlying farm fields continue to give way the strip malls and housing developments.
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Still, embedded right in the center of the metropolitan area, there is nature. During outings along the Scioto River or on Griggs Reservoir I can’t help but feel blessed. Recently while fishing (catch, photograph, release) the surprisingly productive waters for Small Mouth Bass and otherwise being on or near the river and reservoir I’ve been treated the sights and sounds of Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Black Crowned Night Herons, Great Egrets, Osprey, Spotted Sandpipers and even an occasional Bald Eagle. After time spent in these places I can only hope that the treasure I get to enjoy endures and is here for those that come after me.
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Black-crowned Night Heron taken while fishing in the reservoir. A not real common bird!
Another look.
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The river:
The Scioto River.
The Scioto River below Griggs Dam is a favorite spot for fishermen.
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. . . and for good reason.
A beautiful Scioto River Small Mouth Bass.
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The reservoir:
An Osprey looks on as I fish in the reservoir.
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Fishing in the reservoir is very good also.
Okay bear with my enthusiasm but just wanted to show the above fish wasn’t an accident.
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Immature Black-crowned Night Heron along the reservoir.
Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron? If I’m right it’s our first sighting ever along Griggs Reservoir, exciting to say the least!
While paddling Spotted Sandpipers often frequent the water’s edge.
In late August Green Herons seem to be more common along the river and reservoir.
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Thanks for stopping by and sharing in my enthusiasm. I hope that where ever you live you are blessed to have a special place so close to home.
Taking a break along Griggs reservoir at Hayden Run Falls.
Griggs Park Celebrates Autumn’s Color
Posted on November 6, 2016
It’s the first part of November and the autumn colors have hung around a lot longer than usual. We thought about taking a drive down to the Hocking Hills in SE Ohio, a hilly part of the state that’s especially beautiful this time of year, but opted for a few long walks in Griggs Park instead. Can’t say that I feel like we missed anything by not taking the drive.
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Landscape photography in Griggs Park can be a challenge due to the amount of extraneous subjects that can distract so taking time to study vantage points and light is essential to capturing what one wants.
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I’ve been fascinated by the park’s picnic tables for a number of years particular when they are in an isolated setting. Now mostly deserted it’s as if they are still waiting patiently without a complaint for someone to sit down. Fall color adds to the visual interest. Perhaps B&W would also say what I wanted.
Griggs Park picnic table.
Black and White
Picnic Table 2.
Picnic Table 3.
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The paths and roads in the park can be delightful and almost magical this time of year. Capturing that feeling is always rewarding.
Along Griggs Reservoir.
Path at waters edge, Griggs Park.
Park path, Griggs Park.
Park road, Griggs Park.
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Sometimes it’s just a tree that enchants.
Afternoon sun, Griggs Park.
Sycamore, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Tree trunks, Griggs Park.
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At first one notices the big things but before long smaller things, leaves and flowers start to tell their story.
Maple leaves, Griggs Park.
Leaves along the Scioto.
Reflections, Griggs Reservoir.
Teasel, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Leaf, Griggs Reservoir.
Fleabane, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Milkweed, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Chicory, Griggs Park.
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Don’t tell the insects it’s the first of November. However, for the squirrels and chipmunks that are getting ready for winter, it’s just that busy time of year.
A bumblebee makes due with a flower past it’s prime, (Donna).
Gray Squirrel, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Sharp-stigma Looper, (Donna).
Comma, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Chipmunk, Griggs Park.
Variegated Fritillary, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Common Checkered Skipper spending time with a Clouded Sulphur, Griggs Park, (Donna).
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The birds, local residents as well as migrants from the north, also seemed to be celebrating the color of the season.
Goldfinch, Griggs Park, (Donna).
We were surprised to see this immature male Red Winged Blackbird, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Chipping Sparrow, Griggs Park, (Donna).
As if the leaves weren’t pretty enough, a Goldfinch completes the picture, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Carolina Wren, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Along the Scioto River autumn color creates a beautiful backdrop for this female Belted Kingfisher, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Dark-eyed Junco, a migrant from the north, Griggs Park, (Donna).
White-breasted Nuthatch, Griggs Park, (Donna).
A Great Blue Heron looking for lunch, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Male Mallard Duck, Griggs Reservoir.
White-throated Sparrow, another migrant from the north, Griggs Park.
Tufted Titmouse, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Take 2, (Donna).
Male Bluebird, Griggs Park.
Take 2.
A male Cardinal seems to blend right in, Griggs Park, (Donna).
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Oh, I almost forgot, for those that are on the edge of their seat wondering how my autumn Smallmouth Bass quest is coming , here’s an update:
Channel cats have been more cooperative. They are fun to catch but not what I’m looking for, Griggs Reservoir.
. . . and then a few days later a measure of success! Since I’m a firm believer that the work begins when you put the fish on the stringer they are all released. The fish seem to be happy about that decision.
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When writing this blog at often occurs to me that it’s largely for internal consumption, a way of marking time, documenting life, and making it sacred. On that note we hope readers have found natural areas close to home that enchant and have enjoyed autumn in those special places as much as we have in ours. Thanks for stopped by.
xxx
Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.
Fall Fishing and Kinglets
Posted on October 20, 2016
Recent walks in Griggs Park along the reservoir and along the river below the dam have revealed that Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets are moving through the area. We haven’t seen many Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the winter so they may move further south but at least a few Golden-crowned Kinglets hang around the immediate area until spring.
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Griggs Park.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Griggs Park, (Donna)
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With the exception op Yellow-rumped Warblers, warblers have been scarce in the park in recent days.
The autumn colors attracted my wife to this shot of a Yellow-rumped Warbler, Griggs Park.
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Amazingly, we continue to see quite a few butterflies as well as other insects and spiders.
Variegated Fritillary, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Black-legged Meadow Katydid, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Monarch, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Bumblebee
Meadow Fritillary, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Donna’s mystery six legged spider. We found out that it’s not uncommon for spiders to loose legs as the season progresses.
Eastern Comma, Griggs Park, (Donna)
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Other birds were also seen in the past week, some of which will spend the winter.
Great Blue Heron and female Belted Kingfisher along the Scioto below Griggs Dam. Two images, both taken within seconds of each other, were spliced together to get both birds in focus.
Typical when trying to photograph a Belted Kingfisher, a little two far away for a good picture.
Carolina Wren, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Too cute to pass up, Eastern Phoebe, Griggs Park, (Donna).
American Coots, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
Great Blue Heron below the dam.
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Other animals were also present. Chipmunks and squirrels seemed very busy getting ready for the approaching winter.
Chipmunk, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Something must have been lip smacking good, female Whitetail Deer west shore of Griggs Reservoir, seen while fishing.
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This fall in Griggs Reservoir I’ve tried to make a methodical effort to catch Smallmouth bass and while I always do well enough to keep coming back, results have been something less that spectacular. Using small crank baits a variety of fish have been caught including Channel Cats, Large and smallmouth Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Crappie, and other pan fish but not of any great size and with the exception of pan fish not in any great quantity. The reservoir is just a mile and a half from our home so it’s been an enjoyable research project to determine if the fishing would improve as the days got shorter and the air and water temp went down. So far I haven’t noticed much difference between August and October accept that the reservoirs a lot quieter.
Smallmouth Bass
Hybrid Striped Bass
Largemouth Bass
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No matter what draws one outside this time of year sometimes just looking around can be enough so if you have a chance get out and look around!
Griggs Reservoir
Autumn along the Scioto.
Low water, Scioto River below Griggs Dam.
Griggs Park.
Quite autumn paddle, Griggs Reservoir
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.
The Magic World Of The Very Small
Posted on September 26, 2016
The last few days found us paddling Griggs Reservoir. This time of year we always hope that staying close to the shoreline will result in warbler sightings and perhaps a few pictures. With warblers and other migrants moving through it’s a good time of year. In recent days on the reservoir we’ve even seen Mink along the banks and while walking just south of the dam my wife caught the tail end of a Bald Eagle as it flew overhead.
Bald Eagle over the Scioto River just below Griggs Reservoir, (Donna)
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A number of immature Black-crowned Night Herons have also been seen, encouraging because of our recent discovery of one that had met it’s demise at the business end of a abandoned fishing line.
Immature Black-crowned Night Heron, Griggs Reservoir.
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Other things were also seen as we made our way along the shore.
A Great Blue Heron takes flight, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna)
Two Wood Ducks seemingly amused by a Painted Turtle or is it the other way around, Griggs reservoir.
A Red-tailed Hawk looks on as we head north along the west shore of the reservoir.
Painted Turtles enjoy posing for the camera much more than some of the other species we encounter, (Donna)
A female Kingfisher actually poses for the camera, Griggs Reservoir.
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Walking Griggs Park has been more productive for seeing as well as photographing warblers and other small birds mostly because of the difficulty in controlling and positioning the canoe in the pursuit of small active birds.
A male Bluebird doing what bluebirds do best, Griggs Park.
A male Cardinal, beautiful in the morning sun, Griggs Park.
Eastern Phoebe, Griggs Park.
Black-throated Green Warbler, Griggs Park.
Another view, (Donna)
Carolina Wren sings it’s heart out.
Chipping Sparrow, Griggs Park.
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If the warblers aren’t cooperating there may be a butterfly, not always rare, but one we’ve not noticed before.
Checkered Skipper, Griggs Park, (Donna)
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Fishing is also getting better as the weather cools with time taken off between casts to do a little house keeping along the shore. What can I say, it’s always there, but as those who read this blog already know, it makes me feel better to pick it up.
Another nice Smallmouth Bass, Griggs Reservoir
Unlike fish that are always returned to the water, the trash covering the bottom of the canoe is not “Catch and Release”!
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But recently real magic was discovered within the world of the very small when we spotted countless damselflies mating on fallen autumn leaves floating on the reservoir’s calm surface as we paddled back to our launch site during the warmth of the day. We’d never seen anything like that before.
In the warming late morning sun Dusky Dancer were on every leaf, (Donna)
The bigger the leaf the more damselflies. Sometimes, as we got close, they would swarm over the canoe.
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That’s about it for this post. For us living in northern regions autumn is a great time to be out in nature. A feeling borne from the knowledge that this fleeting time will not last. Thanks for stopping by.
Dew Drop
xxx
Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.
Little Things and The Whole
Posted on June 18, 2016
Sometimes when in nature it’s not about a new discovery to photograph, it’s about being in the moment, awake, content with the “usual” flowers, insects, or birds, their motion, colors, sounds, feeling the cool early morning air, drawing it into our lungs, aware as treetop leave rustle and small ripples appear along the reservoir shore.
Reflection of a small branch breaking the water’s surface.
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But even during those times, in that experience, we do see things that draw us out, that asked to be photographed, and in doing so embrace us in a feeling of oneness with something that is part but also beyond ourselves. In that moment time, as if also captured by the photograph, stands still.
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Recent dry weather has resulted in low water levels.
Scioto River below Griggs Dam.
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Flower’s continue to be a part of the wonder.
Moth mullein, an invasive species native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has naturalized in North America..
White Mulberry, Griggs Park.
Scarlet Pimpernel, probably an escapee, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Backyard Day Lily.
Thimbleweed, Griggs Park.
Butterfly Weed, Griggs Park.
Motherwort, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Chicory, Griggs Park.
Pokeweed, Griggs Park.
Wild Lettuce, (Donna), Griggs Park.
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When looking at flowers other things are seen.
Female Powdered Dancer, (Donna) Griggs Park.
Female Blue Fronted Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Stream Bluets, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Blue Fronted Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Powdered Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Dusky Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Widow Skimmer, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Question Mark, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Question Mark, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Bronze Copper, Griggs Park.
Hackberry Emperor, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Hackberry Emperor, Griggs Park.
Crane Fly along the Scioto River below Griggs Dam.
Black and Yellow Wasp, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Canadian Petrophila Moths, (Donna), Griggs Park.
Black Swallowtail caterpillar, (Donna) Griggs Park.
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On a recent walk an Osprey was spotted in what appeared to be an agitated state.
Osprey being dive bombed by a Baltimore Oriole. Along the Scioto below Griggs Dam
The oriole kept at it.
The Osprey finally flew away.
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We’ve also been fortunate to enjoy a few other birds.
Eastern Phoebe, (immature), Griggs Park.
Baltimore Oriole, Griggs Park.
With an insect.
Prothonotary warbler, (immature) Griggs Park. We have at least two nesting pairs along the reservoir and river just below the dam.
Griggs Reservoir nature.
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There seem to be lots of chipmunks right now.
Chipmunk, (Donna), Griggs Park.
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Being a mom isn’t easy.
All right kids could you swim the other way I’m getting dizzy.
That’s better!
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Sometimes being in nature just means relaxing.
Not a lunker but a nice Smallmouth Bass that went swimming right after this picture, Griggs Reservoir.
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Sometimes the opportunity to reflect on what’s been experienced is as good as reliving it a second time.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Early Autumn Wonder
Posted on September 25, 2015
Nature in central Ohio looks different this time of year. The midday sun, now lower in the south, results in a much bluer sky. There’s just a hint of fall color among what is still mostly green.
Northern end of Griggs Reservoir
Heading south on Griggs Reservoir, (Donna)
Griggs Reservoir landscape, Griggs Park.
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Cooler weather has resulted in better fishing. Amazing results are sometimes achieved, especially when one considers that that the reservoir is right in the city.
A nice size Griggs Reservoir Smallmouth.
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During a recent visit to Blendon Woods Metro Park looking for migrating fall warblers, the same light that creates the blue sky finds it’s angled way through tree branches creating patterns not usually seen in mid-summer.
Blendon Woods Metro Park trail,
Shadows, Blendon Woods Metro Park
A shaft of light, Blendon Woods Metro Park
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. . . and closer to home a shaft of light illuminates my favorite stump..
Griggs Park
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Early autumn wildflowers are dramatic and on a sunny day, birds and butterflies also seem to be celebrating the moment.
Rush Asters, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna)
Calico Asters, (Donna)
Tickseed Sunflower, (Donna)
Bottle Gentian, (Donna)
Hummingbird, Blendon Woods (Donna)
Clouded Sulphur, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Cedar Waxwing, juvenile, Griggs Park, (Donna).
Cabbage White, Griggs Park, (Donna)
12 Spotted Skimmer, Griggs Park
Monarch, Griggs Park, (Donna)
New England Asters, Blendon Woods
Female Wood Duck, Blendon Woods
Immature male Wood Duck, Blendon Woods
Pileated Woodpecker, Blendon Woods
Green Heron, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
A more whimsical pose, (Donna)
A Great Blue Heron casts a reflection as we paddle closer, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna)
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A hint of autumn color, fall wildflowers, cooler nights, and warm sunny days, and places of wonder.
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Thanks for stopping by.
