22 July 2023 West Woods and Orchard Hills (Geauga Parks)

Some days are magical. 

15 July 2023 Hummingbird Moth

 Hummingbird moths are difficult to capture as they frequently move and have very fast wing motions.  They are a very interesting piece of summer to spot.  This one was in a sea of monarda which likely kept it in the area for longer than usual.  Enjoy the images.

11 July 2023 Summer Blossoms

 

10 July 2023 Visiting Affelder

 Affelder House and the surrounding trails are a newer addition to Geauga Parks.  We stopped by this evening with the dogs.  The new area links to the park system's West Woods, but has its own entrance.

Helleborine is considered an invasive orchid.  I've not seen it taking over space from native plants.  This one had not yet blossomed, but was going to open soon.

Much of the Affelder property is in deep shade.

Lizzie's days are getting short.  She has numerous health ailments, but still seems quite happy on the trails for shorter walks.

9 July 2023 Geauga Bog

Geauga Bog has changed considerably over the years.  There were years where we would consistently see birds and waterfowl here.  It was common to see osprey nesting on the far shores.  Now the glacial kettle lake remains very attractive, but hosts almost no birds.

Pitcher plants near the shore

Leaving Lake Kelso, we made our way across the road.  We were hoping to spot a few birds nesting in the many boxes along the edge of the mowed path, but the trails were quiet.  We enjoyed instead a walk among the large old trees dotting the edges of the mowed path.

8 July 2023 Lake Metroparks Visit

 We stopped to geocache at Lake Erie Bluffs in Lake Metroparks.  

Our journey included a sighting of a red-shouldered hawk perched on the top of a dead tree.

4 July 2023 Geocaching in the ANF

 It was a perfect holiday for continuing to visit historical sites in the Allegheny National Forest.  It was also time for deptford pinks to be blooming.  The flower is non-native and considered invasive, but has not made huge gains in our time visiting the ANF.  The flowers add a bit of color to fields.

We spotted this tiny salamander on a trail.

A fritillary on our journey

One of our stops included a visit to this wetland with a large area of open water and a very active osprey nest.  

Two of the young are visible.

It's a crowded house...

3 July 2023 Celebrating 100 Years of the ANF

The Forest Service sponsored a new Allegheny National Forest Geotrail to celebrate the centennial of the national forest.  We spent a good part of the weekend visiting parts of the ANF.  Many were familiar places.  This old barn on Route 62 is one of those. 

Wild geraniums in bloom

Beautiful fritillary

Trout run at a fish hatchery

Female wood duck at the fish hatchery

Lizzie playing in a stream

A pleasant stop on the Allegheny River

2 July 2023 A Pond in the ANF

We were walking a trail in the Allegheny National Forest when these dragonflies were spotted near a pond by the trail. 

28 June 2023 Fog on the Water

I stopped to look for herons at a small lake on my way to the office.  The morning's fog was still on the water.  There were no herons, but the park was nearly empty on my quiet visit.