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 …
A sure sign of spring!
Spring has been wearing its fickle face recently, bringing lots of rain, wind, and even a few rumbles of thunder. Thankfully we haven't had any severe storms, although at times the rain was heavy enough to create a large pond in our neighbor's backyard. This happens every spring, of course, and, without fail, when the …
Twice surprised!
In the afternoon, the sky cleared a little, and I took advantage of the break in the clouds to do a little birding before sunset. I knew there would probably be a variety of birds along the trail near the fence post, so that's where I headed. To my surprise, a bluejay joined the others in …
Do you know where we are today?
We're at the beach, but it's winter, and we are definitely not at a tropical beach; it is on a large body of water, but it's not salt water. Do you know where we are? Here's another clue: It doesn't look like we're going to get a swim today, nor, unfortunately, any time soon. Erosion has a way of …
Faux-Spring 🌤
Anyone who has lived here, on the south shore of Lake Erie, is aware that the sunny warm weather I have written about in my last two posts is far from the norm, and is, in fact, a false spring. Nevertheless, that knowledge shouldn't keep us from enjoying the warm weather. Instead, we should see this for …
I couldn’t believe my eyes!
The clouds parted and the sun appeared in a beautiful blue sky this morning, and I truly couldn't believe my eyes! What a difference a day can make! After trudging down the trail yesterday under completely overcast skies, with wet snow blowing in my face, I didn't think I would see the sun today. And maybe not for the …
Rapscallions!
Walking into my kitchen, I glanced out the window and there, staring straight at me, were two deer...in broad daylight...the penalty we pay for living next door to Chagrin River Park. Why, you might ask, would I call these beautiful animals rapscallions (an old-fashioned word for rascal; rogue; or scamp)? It's because they consider my Back Yard …
Saturday is spelled e-r-r-a-n-d-s!
The thought of Saturday errands probably has a familiar ring to anyone who works from 9-5 or even longer on Monday through Friday. That's not the case for me because I retired from the work-a-day world many years ago; however, habits die hard, and it seems like Bob and I often find ourselves out and about running errands …
Do you see it?
Do you see the end of summer when you look at the pictures I captured in Holden Arboretum yesterday? The autumnal hues of the vegetation, blooming goldenrod, and drooping rudbeckias are clear-cut clues that summer will soon be a thing of the past. And to tell the truth, I don't mind because it is ushering in my favorite …
Holden Arboretum
Friday was a beautiful, sunshiny day...a perfect day to visit Holden Arboretum, so I called my neighbor Marti and asked if she was ready to climb the Emergent Tower. She didn't take any persuading, so off we went, and our first stop was the Tower with its wonderful view of Lake Erie. It's a rare …
SEEN ALONG THE TRAIL 