29 August 2020 A day in Lake County

 We made a stop by the Arcola Creek Estuary hoping for a little birding.  Arcola Creek and Old Woman Creek are the two remaining natural estuaries in Ohio.  Unlike Old Woman Creek which is a bird haven, Arcola tends to have very few birds.  Today was no exception.  Looking to the east gave a view of a windy grey day.

A short distance later we were at the mouth of the Arcola and looking toward the southwest on Lake Erie.  The strong winds were creating heavy rollers on the lake, but the distance skies told of a brights day ahead.

Later in the day we stopped at a park along the Grand River.  We enjoyed playing on the exercise equipment before walking over to enjoy the beauty of the Grand on a now sunny afternoon.

26 August 2020 Seasons Change

 It's getting near the point where the flowers in the yard will begin to disappear.  They have been a big help in passing a summer like no other.

25 August 2020 Downy at Metzenbaum

 We visited Metzenbaum Park hoping to see cardinal flower in bloom in the stream plain along the boardwalk.  There were still a few in bloom, but they were long past their prime.  We were treated to spotting a downy woodpecker while on the boardwalk.  It was also a rewarding evening for us as we spotted another couple on the trail that we recognized.  Many years prior we would frequently walk this park with Murray and Becky, our first dogs.  Many evenings we would run into a couple with their friendly dog Reggie.  We said goodbye to Murray and Becky many years ago as did they to Reggie, but it was wonderful to see them even if it was while wearing masks and socially distanced.

23 August 2020 Visiting SGL 314

 SGL 314 is located at the farthest northwestern part of Pennsylvania.  To the north is Lake Erie.  To the west is Ashtabula County Ohio.  We stopped on a return home to find a few geocaches and see what nature was visible.  This is a harsh gameland area with possible the largest population of invasive plants in any gamelands.  It also struggles with people using it for a shooting range and cleaning illegal hauls of walleye on the side of the road.  We were lucky to spy some of the beauty of the area this evening.

Virgin's bower in bloom

Square stemmed monkey flower

Blue Dasher

22 August 2020 Dunham Siding

Dunham Siding is a gameland road running from the road by Hearts Content in the Allegheny National Forest to Chapman State Park.  It's a pleasant walk with wildflowers, water, and  rock formations.  Today we were here for the walk and a series of caches hidden off the road.  It was a hot day so we brought plenty of water for the dogs and knew we would not complete the whole road.

In a normal year we would see many red-spotted purples while in Pennsylvania.  COVID-19 guaranteed nothing would be normal this year.  We were happy to spot this one who was showing damage to the wings.

The dogs were really happy for a splash and some time to cool in the shade of this stream.

Conglomerate this large is uncommon in this area of Pennsylvania, but there is a small stretch of trail here where many large specimans are visible.  This one is about three feet tall.

Late blooming monarda

Hopefully we will return when the weather cools to complete the longer walk.

20 August 2020 Liberty Hollow

We gave the dogs a pass on a walk for the evening and made a visit to Liberty Hollow and the Grand River.  We spotted a tussock moth caterpillar on the fencing along the trail.

This toad was in the muddy areas in the flood plain.

Our real find for the evening was along the high portion of the trail.  I caught a glimpse of a woodpecker in the treetops.  We soon realized it was looking for food to bring back to a nest.

It is not unusual for us to see holes from woodpecker nests, but they are usually empty and past holding young ones.  This young female pileated looking out from the nesting hole was a rare treat.

19 August 2020 Burton Wetlands

We stopped in the early evening for a walk in Burton Wetlands.  We were hoping there might be wildflowers in the field.  The field was without wildflowers, but we were able to enjoy spotting an eatern flycatcher among the branches.

18 August 2020 More Backyard Spottings

 I see a few of these strangely marked bugs each summer.  Today a few were hanging out in the zinnias.  I finally took the time to search for an identity.  I present the candy-striped leafhopper.  They are not very big, but apparently can be a nuisance in large numbers.  There were a couple visiting the zinnias today.

I've tried a number of times over years to get purple coneflower established.  All previous attempts have met with failure to keep the plants alive for the year.  I stopped at a local nursery to pick up a few items and noted they had multiple great looking plants.  I purchased a few and spent time hunting an area where experience now says they might succeed.  So far, they appear to be thriving and today gave a dividend with a swallowtail stopping for a visit.  Hopefully, I will see them next year and can begin to establish them in the wildflower garden.

It was a big day for swallowtails.

This crab spider was hanging out on the edge of the picnic table.

17 August 2020 Mentor Lagoons

 We planned on walking the woods at Mentor Lagoons, but were distracted by the numbers of shore birds.

We made our way into the woods and eventually to the Lake Erie shore.

It's been a long time since Lake Erie and any boating has been a part of my life.  It's expensive.  It's consuming.  A summer evening near the flat water can bring it all back...

We eventually made our way back to the lagoons and a last look at a super evening of birding.

Nightly roost...

16 August Rogers Walk

 I spent the day on chores.  After the work, I decided to take an evening walk at Rogers.  Birds weren't plentiful, but the later summer wildflowers had arrived and butterflies were busy.

I left the field and made my way to the Chagrin River.  I ws hoping to spot a heron looking for a meal, but the water was quiet.  I did spot blue lobelia sprinkled along the shore line.