Today was definitely a ducky day because I captured several good pictures of a Blue-winged Teal, a small dabbling duck. Yesterday two birders, walking along the edge of the bog in Chagrin River Park, told me where they had spotted the Teal. I looked and looked, without success, but today, when I wasn't even looking for …
Landing gear down!
I was in the park early today, hoping to see bluebirds. That didn't happen, but it was such a beautiful morning, I didn't mind. It was just great to walk the trails and watch for the signs of spring that are popping out all over the place. The fishermen were out in full force and …
Angry bird
Walking back to my car today, I spotted a grackle at the edge of the bog struggling to pick up a large strip of plastic that repeatedly slipped out of his beak and slid back into the water. He persisted for a while, but finally gave up in disgust. From the look on his face, I'm thinking he muttered a …
Everybody likes a cardinal
That may be a bit of an exaggeration because I don't suppose everybody likes a cardinal, but it is no stretch to say that he gets his share of attention, both in the park and on my blog. So he is the headliner today. He really did pose beautifully, so I suppose he deserves that …
Trumpeter swan: a first for me
The trumpeter swan, the largest waterfowl species native to North America, was at one time considered an endangered species. They had been hunted to near extinction for their feathers, skin, meat, and eggs, and by 1900 the species had greatly declined in numbers, until, by 1970 fewer than 70 were known to exist in the wild. …
Would you like to try…
...a tasty bark butter bit? I'll share. You can have this one! I don't know how humans feel about bark butter bits, but I know the birds love them, not just red-bellied woodpeckers like me, but all the birds, and even the deer. Trail Walker sometimes brings a handful of these to the park to share with us, …
Another day, another bluebird!
It was a cold morning (30 degrees), but the sun was shining brightly, so I took to the trail in search of the elusive (to me) bluebird, and today, he was there, right on the nesting box where I hoped to see him. There was only one, no mate, but possibly she was inside the …
A blue bird, but not a bluebird
I've been keeping an eye out for the bluebirds at the nesting boxes, so when another walker told me he had sighted a bluebird there, I was excited. However, when I checked out his information, I discovered that the "blue bird" was actually a tree swallow. It's true, they are blue and, yes, they frequently …
Take off!
I've been using manual mode a lot these days, trying to get the look I want in my shots. I like the results this time...a little blur, but still clear enough to tell what is happening as the cardinal flies away with the "bark butter bit" he has just grabbed off the post. The blur …
A little sunshine…
...makes a BIG difference! Obviously this red-bellied woodpecker would agree, especially if Bark Butter Bits come along with the sunshine. I had other sunny photos from today's trail walk, but I'm sticking to my plan to post one photo a day. Is it cheating if I post three pictures of one red-bellied woodpecker? He looks …
SEEN ALONG THE TRAIL 