6 May 2022 New York to Pennsylvania

I was headed home to Pennsylvania after aa work trip to New York. The weather was perfect for a stop at Allegany State Park. My first spot was at Red House Lake where a cormorant. There were also a few mergansers on the water.

I moved on to the eastern end of Quaker Lake hoping to spot an osprey. I was lucky and not only spotted one guarding the nest. The mate was on nest.

After watching the osprey for a bit, I moved on to a spot at the edge of the park. We had stopped here the last year to look for a cache, but passed by the hunt when we couldn't find a place to park. The area was crowded with an essentially single-lane road back. Today there was no one at this scenic area.

I found the cache quickly and was very happy to spend time enjoying the spring wildflowers.

After a pleasant stop at ASP I headed for Pennsylvania and home. My bird watching was not done for the day as I spotted a turkey at the house.

29 April 2022 Visiting Rocky River

I was burning the seemingly endless days of vacation that don't get taken and decided a visit to Cleveland Metropark's Rocky River Reservation for some geocaching and sspring wildflowers would be grand.

Kingfishers rarely stop more than a moment so I was very happy to capture an image of this one.

28 April 2022 Birding Along the Western Lake Erie Shore

As much as possible we have an annual tradition of a spring birding trip along the Erie shore. Our first spotting was a long distance view of a bald eagle.

We made a traditional stop at Old Woman Creek and were treated to a super spotting of a green heron. We weren't actually the persons to spot this beautiful bird as we were given a head nod by another birder that brought our eyes to the bird.

Palm warblers seemed to be at nearly every stop today.

Our favorite pond stop at Sheldon Marsh had turtles on the logs.

Wood Ducks were more elusive than usual, but I was able to spot one and capture an image. As usual, Sheldon Marsh was the birding star of the day.

It is nest making time...

23 April 2022 Russell Uplands

I was spending the weekend with the dogs. After a few chores in the yard I was happy to take them for a park walk. Russell Uplands is a very quiet park with few visitors and a small quiet pond. We had the pond to ourselves this afternoon with the exception of a red-wing blackbird near the water's edge.

I don't remember spring wildflower walks at the park, but this afternoon the trails were filled.

22 April 2022 Mentor Lagoons

It was a big afternoon for herons on the water. They were at the lagoons in big numbers. It was a pleasure to see so many.

The pie-billed grebe was a distant shot but I don't see them frequently.

Spotting multiple lesser yellow legs on the same day is also a treat.

I celebrated the bird sightings with a walk to look for a few spring wildflowers. Mentor Lagoons and the nearby state nature preserve are birding hotspots, but the area delivers wonderful wildflower viewing too.

The lightly noticed red-winged blackbird is always a pleasing sight to me.

20 April 2022 Phin and Liz

When Phin needed back surgery, we were both hoping we made the right decision. We had no idea how well he would manage and what quality of life he would have. It's been a bit, and he still seems to be living the beagle life. Once in a while life's decisions work out.

They aren't a really close pair, but they are contented with each other as companions.

17 April 2022 Chapel Bay

We don't visit as many ANF areas as we did in the past. Time seems to shrink. Today was a perfect day to soak in the spring and enjoy megansers on the water.

We were on the lookout for spring wildflowers and were rewarded with squirrel corn.