6 March 2021 West Branch

 I spent a lot of time at West Branch when I was young.  It was a go to place with my boat.  Anything from long days fishing to evenings sleeping on the shore.  These days, visits are spent on the trails.  Today we were here with blue skies and a hint of spring.

28 February 2021 Geneva Swamp

 With our success bird watching at Geneva Swamp we decided to make another stop at a different area of the  swamp on our way back to Ohio.

We parked the vehicle and almost immediately spotted a mature eagle in a tree.

Looking in the other direction and panning with the camera, I spotted the juvenile eagle below.

There's always one late to the gathering.

I was spoiled with visits to Florida.  Sandhill cranes are everywhere and easy to photograph there.  In Pennsylvania, they can be heard, but at best one quickly passes by for a quick image.

Once we left Geneva Swamp we took the dogs for a walk on the Ernst Trail.  We've been on this trail often, but this extension was a new visit for us.

27 February 2021 Geneva Swamp

My last visit to Pennsylvania was on 15 November.  It had been a long time.  I was happy to be back if even for a very short visit.  Our first stop was at SGL 214 to hopefully spot a few ducks or an eagle.  We were quickly surprised to spot two eagles out soaring and hunting.

After a brief stop we made our way to SGL 213 and Geneva Marsh.  There was enough ice to make the walk interesting.  We both knew the real attraction was at the end of this gamelands road when we reached the marsh.

Turkey tracks...

We spotted this eagle in the tree well before we reached the water's edge.  It was far enough away to not be bothered by our presence.

It's easy to hear sandhill cranes at the water's edge.  It's not so easy to spot them.  We were lucky that a few passed by while we were there.  I had no idea the blurry image also picked up an immature eagle flying lower than the crane.

A huge gathering of ducks were at the far side of the marsh.  They drift in and out of view so what is spotted is luck.

This would be a wonderful place to paddle someday.

23 February 2021 Metzenbaum Walk

 By late February it is easy to start thinking about longer days, warmer weather, and daylight saving time.  The sun has a little more warming power, and maybe the snow will be gone from the paved section of the trail by the next visit.

The early evening trees are drenched in western light as you reach the peak of the park trail.

An unexpected spotting of a downy woodpecker is just a bonus.

22 February 2021 Phineas

 Phineas was scheduled for late January surgery.  He had a large cyst on his back and a tumor on a hind leg.  The surgery was postponed when the clinic shut down for a COVID-19 case among the staff.  He's done with surgery and his tests all came back negative so he should be himself soon.  For now, he's a disappointed doggy waiting for the stitches to come out and wearing a collar.  Hopefully he will recover well and be ready for many more journeys on the trails.

20 February 2021 Visiting Niles

Phineas needed surgery and now needs to be with someone while he recovers.  I was sent on my way to hunt for caches on a very cold day.  I chose a visit to Niles.  It has been a long time since I was in Niles so it was fun to return.

My first stop was the town's old, grand cemetery with the notable names from the town's past including the Packard family.

I remember stories of my Dad owning a Packard when he and my Mom were dating.  I remember a picture of him standing beside his Packard.  I have many of the family images, but don't have that one.

This image is from the garden area of Niles Library.  The ice and snow ended an attempt to find an Adventure Lab, but this is a awesome area to visit.

I was headed to a cache I could not find when I passed Katie's Korner.  On the way back from the unfound cache, I consoled myself with my first ice cream stop of the (near) spring.  The homemade ice cream was very good even in cold weather and a bitter wind.

19 February 2021 Backyard Birding

 

17 February 2021 Backyard

 

On some rare days the snow is magical.

14 February 2021 Cemetery Caching

 If you geocache, you have almost certainly found a geocache in a cemetery.  Some of the items are whimsical.  Some are sad.  Occasionally, you find someone who has touched your life.

I'm certain this fits the whimsical side.

Sean Landrus was killed in action in Iraq leaving behind his wife and three children.  He died serving his country.

If you've heard the Cars, you know of Benjamin Orr.  He was a relatively young person when cancer took his life.  His grave sits in this quiet country cemetery.  If you haven't heard the Cars, Benjamin Orr is singing in the You Tube below.

11 February 2021 Walkable Warren

 I had vacation time to burn and a desire to be someplace I hadn't spent most of the pandemic year.  Warren, Ohio has an Adventure Lab.  It had been a long time since I really visited the town so it seemed a good time to return.  The Adventure Lab was a great way to see the downtown.  It is one of the best I have done yet.

The name says it all.  Time is taking a toll on many of the interesting stones, but the cemetery is still worth a visit.  The grounds are the final resting place of ten veterans of the US Revolution.

This looks like a great place to spend a warm summer evening.  Hopefully, COVID-19 vaccines will allow that to happen.

Interesting county courthouse with a banchmark for the observant.  It wa weird that there were speakers on the courthouse playing some 60's pop song while I was there.  It was late afternoon.  I was the only person near.

10 February 2021 In the Teens

Both Lizzie and Phineas have that look that says they are not interested in visiting a park when it is this cold.

5 February 2021 Backyard Birding