Another overcast day, but even so, a walk in the woods is a good way to while away an hour or two, and a much better use of my time than lounging in an easy chair reading yesterday's news in the Plain Dealer (or today's news for that matter). Even though the dampness may turn …
Mabel’s Morning Walk
We woke up this morning and it wasn't raining...finally! So after breakfast, we put Mabel on her leash and drove to Chagrin River Park for a morning walk. The first stop was the deck overlooking the Chagrin River, just to see how high the water was after yesterday's rainfall. It wasn't flooding, but it was …
A magical moment
One recent Sunday morning I glanced out my kitchen window and saw this very small fawn resting in the grass by our neighbor's shed. Reaching for my camera, I captured a few pictures as the baby stood up and looked around. Its mama was nowhere to be seen, but I hoped she was nearby. After …
Idle observations at the hopper feeder
When the pileated woodpeckers visit the backyard buffet, they are mostly ignored by the other birds. Despite their size and fearsome-looking beak, they don't seem to be feared, but they are certainly not included in the community activities. They operate solo! The pileated pictured here is a male who is interested in food, but isn't …
Correct me…
If I'm wrong, please correct me, but I'm guessing this is a male American Redstart. I found a hot-spot for migratory birds along the trail today, and this colorful bird was among the crowd. A later spring migrant in northeast Ohio, redstarts arrive around mid-May. It is a medium-sized bird with bright orange patches on …
Rainy days
Rain, rain, go away Come again some other day. Little Johnny wants to play. Running through my head repeatedly, that rhyme, remembered from my childhood, couldn't be more true to the way I feel about April...and now May! Little Johnny and Little Sally would like the rain to stop and the temperature to warm up …
Warblers have arrived
As you may be aware, this handsome red bird is not an unusual visitor to my blog. All birders in northeast Ohio, as well as many other states, are familiar with the Northern cardinals, which are year-round residents of this area. So while I was hoping to find some migratory warblers on my trail walk …
Three of a kind
I'm always surprised when the pileated woodpecker appears at the backyard feeder. His visits haven't been very regular since last fall when we had to cut down the tall tree he liked to land on when he flew in. After landing on the tall oak tree, he and his mate would often fly across our …
Chilly morning in Chagrin River Park
Spring is here! The red-winged blackbird has been announcing if for the last few weeks. Still, you couldn't prove it by today's temperature which hovered around 42 degrees when we set out for our morning walk. Nevertheless, cold or not, Mabel was ready for her walk, so there we were, Bob, Mabel, and I trotting …
SEEN ALONG THE TRAIL 