Central Ohio NatureThe Rifle River and A Mystery Bird
Posted on July 14, 2019
It’s that time of year again when we travel 6.5 hours north from our home in central Ohio to the Rifle River Recreation Area. Usually we enjoy checking out different areas for new adventures but this park’s unique beauty keeps us coming back. Whether paddling on the park lakes or hiking the trails there is always something to discover. From one week to the next different wildflowers can be seen. Spring warbler activity is complimented by the evening call of a Whippoorwill or Barred Owl and there’s always the distant call of a loon on Devoe Lake.
(click on images for a closer look)
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This year’s late June visit meant that in addition to increased warbler activity we’d also see blooming lady slippers and pitcher plants. Of course there would also be more mosquitoes to deal with and they’re always particularly pesky when one crouches down to study a flower or take a photograph.
A shaft of sunlight highlights a fern along the trail.
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My wife was nice enough to contribute the bulk of the pictures for this post as much of my time was spent fishing. However, to start the post off on a curious note I did notice something interesting one afternoon while hiking.
These rolled up birch? leaves littered the forest floor.
A closer inspection revealed a small caterpillar within the shelter of the rolled up leaf. It was in the process of eating it’s way out. Another egg sac near by? Based on an educated guess it would appear that a moth deposited it’s eggs on the underside of the leaf which then caused it to roll up and fall to the ground. Inside the leaf the caterpillar is safe from the prying eyes of birds until it escapes into the leaf litter and pupates soon to emerge as a moth and continue the cycle.
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When my wife wasn’t hiking and I wasn’t trying to catch a fish we did a fair amount of exploring by canoe.
Yours truly with a Devoe Lake Large Mouth Bass.
Exploring Grebe Lake
Common Loon, Devoe Lake.
Take two, (Donna).
Yellow Pond Lily, Grebe Lake.
Painted Turtle, Loud Pond, Au Sable River, (Donna).
Paddling trough the lily pads, Grebe Lake.
Trumpeter Swans, Grebe Lake.
A Mink checks us out along the Au Sable River, (Donna).
Au Sable River Walleye.
While Water Lily, (Donna).
Kingbirds entertained us as we paddled the Devoe Lake shoreline, (Donna).
Morning on Devoe Lake.
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One day as we drove back to our campsite after a morning paddle we came upon an unusual discovery in the middle of the road.
Our first thought was to move it along before it became the victim of a less observant driver.
But a closer look revealed that it was a Blanding’s Turtle something we’d expect to see in a nearby lake but not in it’s present location. Since it’s not a turtle we often see we were pretty excited, (Donna).
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However, perhaps the most unusual thing seen during our week long stay was the bird spotted while hiking along Weir Road.
The best ID we could come up with was a partially leucistic White-breasted Nuthatch but it’s beak didn’t look right. The mystery remains.
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We’d be remiss if we didn’t give special mention to the Ovenbirds and Yellowbellied Sapsuckers that entertained us each day at our campsite.
Ovenbird, (Donna).
With a white moth.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, taken while hiking but representative of the activity around our campsite, (Donna).
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While on the subject of birds, while hiking a park trail my wife was excited to see a Black Billed Cuckoo. It was a life bird for her.
Black Billed Cuco, (Donna).
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Finally, below is a summary of other things seen as we explored the park trails.
A recently emerged mushroom translucent in the sunlight.
A family of very colorful but small mushrooms.
Wild Columbine along the trail.
Hawkweed and fern.
The Rifle River
Showy Lady’s Slippers along the park road. A real treat to see.
A closer look, (Donna).
Bunch Berry Flower
Spotted Thyris Moth on fleabane.
Deep into the woods.
Red-spotted Purple
Another view, (Donna).
Yellow Lady’s Slippers were also seen, (Donna).
The flower of the Pitcher Plant. The plant gets it name by the shape of the leaves at the base of the plant which trap insects in water the leaves collect.
Overlooking Pintail Pond
Hover fly on dogwood blossoms.
This fairly large moth has yet to be identified.
Fleabane
Eastern Wood Pewee, (Donna).
Elfin (not Slaty) Skimmer.
Yellow Goats Beard, (Donna).
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, (Donna).
Another view.
Sheep Laurel, (Donna).
American Redstarts were fairly common, (Donna).
Blue Flag Iris, (Donna).
Dot-tailed Whiteface, (Donna).
River Jewelwing (M), (Donna).
River Jewelwing (F), (Donna).
Cedar Waxwing, (Donna).
Four-spotted Skimmer, (Donna).
Wood Frog, (Donna).
Coral Fungus, (Donna).
Chaulk-fronted Corporal
Wild Geranium, (Donna).
Little Wood Satyr.
Indian Pipe (before), (Donna).
After? (Donna).
A Green Heron stalks prey along the Devoe Lake shore, (Donna).
Black-shouldered Spinyleg, (Donna)
Another interesting plant we have yet to ID, (Donna).
Dead Mans Fingers, (Donna).
Delaware Skipper, (Donna).
Baby Robin, (Donna).
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As each day passes nature evolves. A wishful thought would be to spend one week each month in a place such as Rifle River Rec Area. Then one would truly appreciate it’s wonder. Thanks for stopping by.
Misty Day, Devoe Lake.
The Show
Posted on July 9, 2019
Recently we were flattered with an invitation to exhibit some of our photographs at the church we attend. The invitation was undoubtedly the result of this blog as well as various Facebook posts that friends and acquaintances have seen over the years. A friend commented that they might not be able to get over to the exhibit so the thought occurred that perhaps a post showing the pictures was in order. We hope you enjoy them.
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Lilly Pads, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, FL.
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Blackburnian Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, (Donna).
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Wild Geranium, Glenn Echo Park, OH.
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Hummingbird Moth, Griggs Reservoir Park, OH, (Donna).
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Leaf, Griggs Reservoir, OH.
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Wood Duck, Griggs Reservoir, OH, (Donna).
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Squiggle, Griggs Reservoir, OH
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Prothonotary Warbler, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).
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Branches, Griggs Reservoir, OH.
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Red Winged Blackbird, Griggs Reservoir Park, OH, (Donna).
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Misty Morning, Devoe Lake, Rifle River Recreation Area, MI.
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Spring Azure on Phlox, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, OH, (Donna).
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Tree, Salt Fork State Park, OH.
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Cedar Waxwings, Griggs Reservoir Park, OH, (Donna).
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Tree and Rock, Big Bend Natl Park.
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Purple Gallinule, Lake Kissimmee SP, FL, (Donna).
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New Art Exhibit at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus 93 W. Weisheimer Rd. Columbus, OH 43214-2544, “The Eye of the Beholder,” July 2- August 25. Join the artists for a reception: Sunday, July 14, 11:30-1pm. Food, conversation and photos.
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Approach photography playfully, you’ll have more fun, and your photographs will speak with a new voice. Thanks for stopping by.
A Journey Through Spring
Posted on May 26, 2019
It feels like we’ve been dodging raindrops at lot lately. However, the wetter than average spring, perhaps the new normal, has been great for the area wildflowers. We’ve continued to explore Griggs Reservoir Park near our home but have also made several trips to Glen Echo Park, Kiwanis Riverway Park, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve, and have traveled west to Cedar Bog as well as north to Magee Marsh, to name some of the other places explored. With a partial record in pictures of things seen, this is a celebration of all that this fleeting season has given us. Of particular note are the Yellow-billed Cuckoos that decided to make Griggs Reservoir Park their home for a few days recently. We also saw Scarlet Tanagers in the park after seeing few to none last year. What a treat!
(Should you desire, click on the image for a better view.)
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Birds:
Yellow-billed Cuckoos are one of the more entertaining birds to watch as they forage for food, Griggs Reservoir Park. They’re not a bird we see that often much less have an opportunity to photograph, (Donna).
A shot showing the distinctive markings of the underside of the tail.
This Tree Swallow was perched not far from it’s nesting cavity, Griggs Reservoir Park.
There are always a few Bluebirds to see at Griggs Reservoir Park undoubtedly due to numerous trees that provide nesting cavities.
Catching this female Wood Duck out of the very corner of my spectacled eye as it flew into a nearby tree I at first thought it was a Morning Dove.
On a sunny cool spring morning this male Mallard Duck just wanted to catch some rays.
Every year we look forward to the arrival of the Baltimore Orioles at Griggs Reservoir Park. This year was no exception.
They are another very entertaining bird to watch.
As if all the migrating warblers at Magee Marsh weren’t enough we see this guy, Great Horned Owl owlet.
A male Red-winged Blackbird in all it’s splendor. A common resident at Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Cedar Waxwings in love, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Being an acrobat.
Great Crested Flycatchers are heard more often than seen, Griggs Reservoir Park.
A Kingbird ready to take flight, Griggs Reservoir Park.
An curious young male Cardinal, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Just finishing up a snack of “warbler”, this Red-tailed Hawk stares us down, Griggs Reservoir Park.
An Eastern Wood-Pewee is caught in a cute pose at Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery, (Donna).
Oblivious to our presence, a Prothonotary warbler collects nesting material, Magee Marsh.
Scarlet Tanager, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Scarlet Tanager at Magee Marsh.
A Warbling Vireo seems to stare us down, Magee Marsh.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magee Marsh.
Blackburnian Warbler, Glen Echo Park. This small park centered around a stream and ravine is a hotspot for observing spring migrants.
Wood Thrush. Glen Echo Park.
Red-eyed Vireo, Glen Echo Park.
A male American Redstart plays hide and seek, Glenn Echo Park.
Magnolia Warbler, Magee Marsh.
“I’m eating a bug, do you mind!” Carolina Wren, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
Red-headed Woodpecker, the first ever sighting at O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Nest building, Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve
Summer Tanager, Glen Echo Park.
Eastern Phoebe, Greenlawn Cemetery.
A busy Song Sparrow, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
A Yellow-throated Warbler looks down from above, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Yellow-throated Vireo, Glen Echo Park, (Donna).
Couldn’t resist another view of this lovely bird.
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Other things:
How many turtles are on this log? Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Wildflowers:
Purple Rocket turns white with age, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Cabbage White on Dame’s Rocket, Griggs Reservoir Park.
These Toadshade Trilliums from a few weeks ago were some of the last seen, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Pawpaw blossoms, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Hoverfly on Spring beauty from a few weeks back.
Solomon’s Seal, Glenn Echo Park.
May Apple blossom from a few weeks ago, O’Shaughnessy Nature Preserve.
Jacobs Ladder, Amberleigh Park.
Fleabane, Cedar Bog.
We were surprised to see this Morrel mushroom emerging through the mowed grass at Griggs Reservoir Park.
Wild Rose, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Blue Flag Iris, Cedar Bog.
Wild Geranium, Glenn Echo Park.
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We hope you enjoyed this journey through spring into what now feels like early summer. We sadly leave the spring migrants behind for this year but experience tells us that there is always something new to see when exploring nature.
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Future seasons become easier to count and the present one more precious with the passing of time, but in that scarceness we become richer with the sense of their magic.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Eastern Wood-Pewee, Cedar Bog.
A Spring Wildflower Wonderland
Posted on May 1, 2019
A few days ago we thought we’d better take the hour and a half drive south from Columbus to Miller Sanctuary State Nature Preserve and Highlands Nature Sanctuary to check out the spring wildflowers before they bid us farewell for the year. Both destinations are located within an area commonly referred to as the Arc of Appalachia which is comprised of numerous beautiful undisturbed natural areas no matter what the time of year you choose to visit.
An area map showing the location of access points for the areas we explored.
Our first stop was the Miller Sanctuary which has about three miles of trails. Even though the trails are not long one should allow plenty of time as the number of wildflowers is truly amazing and it will take time if one wants to adequately appreciate them.
Remember: you can click on the images should you desire a better view.
Golden Ragwort, common throughout Ohio, was one of the first wildflowers to greet us as we started down the trail.
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When one thinks of the Large Flowered Trillium one usually thinks of a white flower but the images below show the change in color as the bloom ages.
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In a very small area one can see a variety of wildflowers.
Blue phlox, rue-anemone, trillium.
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A closer look reveals the delicate beauty of Blue Phlox.
Blue Phlox or Wild Sweet William.
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The Rue-anemone blossoms were hard to ignore.
Rue-anemone, (Donna).
From another angle.
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Fiddleheads grace the bank of the Rocky Fork River.
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A little further on there was another nice grouping.
Virginia Bluebells, Large Flowered Trillium, and Miterwort.
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The Miterwort flower is so small that from a distance it doesn’t even appear to be a flower but if one takes a closer look . . .
Miterwort or Bishop’s Cap.
. . . and closer still, (Donna).
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While certainly not uncommon throughout Ohio, Virginia Bluebells were also present in the sanctuary.
Virginia Bluebells.
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Redbuds accent the Rocky Fork landscape.
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The large boulders and rocky cliffs provided an excellent habitat for Wild Columbine.
Wild Columbine, (Donna).
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A real treat were the Shooting Stars, a flower we don’t often see closer to home.
Shooting Star, (Donna).
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May Apples carpet the forest floor but we were a bit early to see their flowers.
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We were greeted by more wildflowers as we continued along the trail.
Very tiny Bluets
Goldenseal, (Donna).
Emerging Squawroot. A native perennial, non-photosynthesizing parasitic plant that grows from the roots of mostly oak and beech trees, (Donna).
Large-Flowered Bellwort, (Donna).
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The sanctuary contain a sizable stand of large Tulip trees.
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Canada Violets, (Donna).
Blue Cohosh, the yellowish flower clusters ripen into berries that eventually turn deep blue.
Nestled under the plant’s leaves close to the ground one really needs to look to see the flower of the Wild Ginger plant, (Donna).
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Trilliums line the bank of a small feeder stream.
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Wild Geranium.
Star Chickweed.
Moving in a little closer, (Donna).
Jack In The Pulpit, (Donna).
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The beauty of wildflowers complimented by the sight and sound of a small waterfall.
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Just on the other side of the Rocky Fork River were trails contained in Highlands Nature Sanctuary. We choose to hike the spectacular Barrett Rim Trail. While many of the wildflowers were the same, the dramatic rocky outcropping brought an additional dimension.
One section of the trail runs between the river and these cliffs.
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Certainly not the showiest the blossoms of the Pawpaw were just emerging.
Pawpaw.
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As with Miller, Large Flowered Trillium lined the trail in many places.
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The extensive groups of Celandine or Wood-Poppy were a real treat. A plant we didn’t see in the Miller Sanctuary.
We were surprised by their number.
Wood Poppy, a closer look.
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It’s easy to see how the Rocky Fork River got its name.
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Perhaps the most exciting discovery on our two-mile hike was one solitary flower that was new to us.
Wood Betony.
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After five miles of hiking and countless wildflowers we returned home excited about the possibility of a return visit. For those interested in checking things out this year there have still been reports of wildflowers, some of which are “new arrivals” that we didn’t see, as I post this a week later.
Another view along the Rocky Fork River.
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There are times when a walk in the woods provides more than it’s share of encouragement to again be in nature. Thanks for stopping by.
Central Ohio Nature 