Central Ohio NatureA 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 at times 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 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.
Late Spring Celebration; A Warbler and Much More
Posted on June 15, 2017
Nature unfolds and reveals itself like a flower, first reluctantly and then with grace. Armed with just a little curiosity, looking with intention, and allowing yourself to be in the moment and place, rewards one with new wonder. Seeing and appreciating more each time.
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In the past few days, still interested in finding warblers, we visited Prairie Oaks Metro Park and closer to home Griggs Reservoir Park in the hopes of seeing a few stragglers. With the exception of the Prothonotary, the warblers didn’t cooperate but fortunately other things did. Whether it’s warblers or “other things” we’re always amazed by the celebration of life this time of year and the beauty that’s often found in the ordinary. The pictures below were taken over just a few outings, typically involving walks of at least two or three miles, sometimes longer, as we search for birds, bugs, and plants. It is a source of continuous fascination that so much can be found so close to home in central Ohio.
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A shaft of light finds grass along a stream, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
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It’s always nice when “the reptiles” decide to join the cast.
Next to the path a turtle acts none to happy about our presence, Prairie Oak Metro Park.
A Bullfrog shows a nice profile, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
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Still in “warbler mode” on a recent outing, we weren’t prepared for all the insects we would see.
Familiar Bluet, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Inch Worm, (Donna).
Daddy Longlegs, (Donna)
Spicebush Swallowtail
Silver Spotted Skipper, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
A very common Cabbage White, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Painted Lady, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Virginia Ctenucha, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Viceroy, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Eight-spotted Forester Moth, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Large Lace-boarder Moth, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Milkweed Beetle, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Silvery Checkerspot, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).
Green Bee on Coneflower, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Hackberry Emperor, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Where there are bees and butterflies there will be wildflowers or maybe it’s the other way around.
Butterfly Weed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
In grassy areas and meadows English Plantain is everywhere, Griggs Reservoir Park is no exception.
Very small bees visit the very small flowers of the English Plantain.
Hairy Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis), Griggs Reservoir Park.
Black-eyed Susans, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Thimbleweed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Early Meadow Rue, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Day Lily, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Goatsbeard, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Moth Mullein, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Chicory, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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While we were excited to see Prothonotary Warblers nesting so close to home there was no storage of other birds to fascinate.
We’d been seeing this nesting Prothonotary Warbler for a few weeks in Griggs Reservoir Park. We finally were able to get some pictures.
It must be nesting nearby because at one point it was observed taking food to it’s young.
Preening.
No spot is missed!
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is not common this time of year in Griggs reservoir Park.
A Downy Woodpecker making effective use of it’s tail, Griggs Reservoir Park.
An adult Killdeer tries to get our attention, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
It tries a little harder, something must be going on.
Sure enough!
A male Baltimore Oriole makes it’s presence known in Griggs Reservoir Park. It’s been a great year for these birds in the park.
This Northern Flicker, often seen in a fairly localized area, must have a nest nearby, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Numerous Catbirds continue to entertain in Griggs Reservoir Park.
A Mallard keeps an eye on us as we walk along the water in Griggs Reservoir Park.
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A stream benefits from recent rain in Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
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Nature unfolds and reveals itself like a flower, first reluctantly and then with grace. May you be rewarded with new wonder, seeing and appreciating more each time.
Chipmunk, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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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.
Small Wonders, Summer in Central Ohio
Posted on July 14, 2015
Most of the pictures in this post are a result of my wife’s skill, tenacity, patience, and love of the small creatures that grace nature in central Ohio and so often go unnoticed. It wasn’t that long ago that I thought of insects as second class citizens. Wouldn’t you rather look at or take a picture of a warbler? Okay, many insects are essential to natures food chain, many are important for pollination, surprisingly few actually “Bug” us, but some are also amazing to watch.
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We hope you enjoy the following pictures and that you’ll also be excited to take a closer look. But be forewarned that unlike a beautiful sunset, a mountain landscape, or the spontaneous smile of a small child, these marvels must be pursued with intention to fully appreciate their wonder.
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Right in our backyard:
Black Swallowtail, (Donna)
Another view, (Donna)
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Not far from our backyard along Griggs Reservoir.
Coneflowers, (Donna)
Blue Vervain
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A very small butterfly.
Least skipper, (Donna)
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A moth, really? Judging from the number of pictures taken just to get a few good ones, it’s safe to say we got pretty excited. Not an uncommon moth but not often seen.
A Hummingbird Moth heads for a snack.
Lunch time!
This is actually pretty good!
There must be more of that stuff here somewhere.
Okay, I’ll pose and let you take my picture, Hummingbird Moth, (Donna)
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Black-eyed Susan’s in Griggs Park.
Black-eyed Susan’s
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Near waters edge, Griggs Reservoir.
Ebony Jewelwing female, (Donna)
Ebony Jewelwing female, (Donna)
Powdered Dancer, (Donna)
Stream Bluet, (Donna)
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Cup Plants.
Cup Plants along Griggs Reservoir.
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A wasp and a fly.
Wasp, (Donna)
Thick-Headed Fly, (Donna)
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Another moth, is it really?
Virginia Ctenucha, (Donna)
Virginia Ctenucha, (Donna)
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Other butterflies seen.
Summer Azure, a small butterfly, (Donna)
Silver Spotted Skipper, not uncommon, (Donna)
Silver Spotted Skipper , showing it’s silver spots, (Donna)
Red Admiral, (Donna)
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Last and in this case least, a very small moth.
Pyrausta orphisalis – Orange Mint Moth, (Donna)
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Thanks for stopping by.
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