A downpour began as soon as I arrived at the arboretum, but I didn't complain. This has been one very dry summer and the rain is welcome.
Summer is here for sure!
It was good to get back to the park for a photo walk this morning. I hadn't been there in a while, and it is amazing to see the changes as we slide from spring into "seriously-it's-summer!" Despite our lack of rain, the grass and trees in the park are still green and beautiful, but …
Backyard birds and a squirrel
Our backyard feeding station has become increasingly popular with the Baltimore oriole couple who have moved into the neighborhood. It is such a joy to see their brilliant orange plumage flashing from tree to tree and landing occasionally on the feeding station we set out just for them. It's quite the pricey addition to our …
Vibrant visitors
We have managed to attract a greater variety of birds to our backyard feeding station this summer. The most recent, and most exciting for me, is a pair of Baltimore orioles. I have a list of 30 birds I hope to blip (photograph) this spring and summer, and the oriole is at the top of …
Hike in the Arboretum
This is a beautiful, almost summer, day. I don't think I could have custom-ordered a nicer one or a better day for a walk in the Holden Arboretum. My friend and I packed bag lunches and met in the visitors' center, lunched, caught up on news, and then set off on a two and one-half …
Nature walk
I took a little nature walk with my friend Marti after supper. and our timing was great for getting some good light and several critters in North Chagrin Reservation. Walking across the boardwalk through the marsh, we stopped when someone said, "Did you see that frog?" And there it was, sitting on a lily pad. …
“Bird lady”…
That's what two walkers said when they saw a downy woodpecker take a peanut from my hand..."You must be the bird lady! How do you do that?" the man asked. All I could reply was, "They like peanut chips!" I don't make a habit of feeding the critters in the park. After all, they are wild …
A glorious spring morning
Had I ordered today's weather, the day would have dawned just as it did. It was one of those rare spring mornings when just about everything is perfect. I headed to the park for a short walk, but ended up staying much longer than I meant to. Mondays are great! Most of the weekend warriors …
Mating on the mind?
I don't know much about the mating rituals of tree swallows, actually, I don't know anything, but I have seen their territorial disputes, complete with angry squawks and frantic dive-bombing. This doesn't look anything like that, so I am going to assume these birds had mating on their minds. If anyone has information contrary to …
Mothers’ Day
We were graced with beautiful weather for Mothers' Day this year. An after church brunch at Corky and Lenny's with our middle daughter's family and a creamy dark chocolate ice cream cone in Chagrin Falls with our youngest's daughter's family made the day extra special. As it happened, I wasn't in photography mode, being more …
SEEN ALONG THE TRAIL 