Black Throated Green Warbler

Black-throated green warbler in our yard. All the time that Andrew has spent on NWF certified wildlife habitat is paying off.

Chorus Frogs

Todays adventure: Chorus frogs
Video of an individual chorus frog.https://youtu.be/NhCyHWZI3hs 

Saving the Beaver

Andrew and his colleagues worked at Glacier Ridge Metro Park today to install a beaver dam flow through device. Metro Parks would like to keep the beaver and dam because it is creating excellent wetland habitat at no cost. In this particular situation a beaver has dammed a drainage ditch that flows through the park and drains other private individuals property. In an attempt to maintain an acceptable water level, this device, built by Andrew, will allow the beaver dam to stay in place and the water to drain through it. This is the first time this type of device has been used in the parks and if it works- the beaver will be able to remain at Glacier Ridge as one of nature's greatest wetland architects. 

The basket (below prior to installation) Andrew made functions to allow water to flow into the tubing but excludes debris, limbs, turtles etc that might clog the entrance to the tube. It's made of heavy metal rebar and anchored in place. The tubing goes over the beaver dam and the beaver will likely do some additional construction in the area around it so later the tube won't be so noticeable.

Hornets

Weather folklore: A Hornets' nest built in the top of trees indicates a mild winter is ahead; nests built close to the ground indicate that a harsh winter is coming. This one was about 4 feet off the ground and the other one we saw at a different location was almost on the ground. Andrew wondered aloud if last winter would be mild compared to this winter?  Of course it's just tale right?

Drummond Island 2014

Last year I wrote about my long lost friend that I reconnected with via Facebook.  We met in Michigan when our families were on vacation at the same resort in 1981. We've lived within 8 miles of each other for the past 32 years.  You can read the story here. For the past year we have all spent time together, mostly going out to dinner and found that we have a lot of the same outdoor interests.

This summer Andrew and I and my long lost friend Tracy and his wife Robin all went on vacation together back to the place where he and I met all those years ago. We had an amazing week of fishing, and sightseeing and just relaxing.  I felt like I was in a time warp.  We all agreed that we couldn't have been more compatible ...and we've already booked our cabins for next year.

Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.  Anais Nin

Juvenile Red-tail Hawk

We have really been enjoying the evening antics of this hawk that has been hunting in our neighbors yard. There are a pair (likely siblings) that have been cruising the neighborhood this summer learning to hunt. It was been a real treat to get to watch them on a nightly basis.  

This one is on our neighbors fence 

and this one was flying toward Andrew's head. See story below.

The RT Hawk is wreaking havoc all about the neighborhood. Andrew and Nolan saved the baby cardinals this afternoon by arriving in the backyard just in time to see the RT Hawk fly into our lilac bush and pull the nest of babies, which just hatched today, down to the ground. Andrew took several photos of the melee, including one (albeit blurry) of the hawk making a hasty get away and flying straight for his head. Andrew put the babies and the nest back into the bush and everyone is fine this evening. The babies were later attacked again and did not survive. The parents left for regions unknown.

Park & Recreation Award

The National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) recently awarded one of five 2014 Environmental/Conservation Awards to the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks “in order to recognize an exceptional effort to acquire, restore, preserve, operate, or develop unique or significant conservation and natural areas or programs”. Pictured are L-R are Aquatic Ecologist Mac , Forest Ecologist Andrew , Assistant Resource Manager Carrie and Resource Manager John, and (not pictured) Gordon, Resource Management Technician who were all a part of the hardworking and dedicated resource management team that made this award possible for the park district.  

Wild Turkeys

A crazy rainy Monday just got a little crazier. Spring has sprung. A turkey wants in the gymnasium. Really?!

On Saturday at the park they were really strutting their stuff. 

Bluebirds

This has been the coldest winter in Central Ohio in recent memory.  We've been keeping the backyard bird feeders filled and have been rewarded by the appearance of many species of winter birds.  The bluebirds are my favorites and over the weekend we had three pairs at the feeder at one time.  Andrew got some wonderful photos.

The Canadian Rockies

DH and I joined his parents and their friends on a week-long trip to Fairmont Hot Springs in British, Columbia the first week of October. We also went to Radium Hot Springs, White Swan Provential Park, The HooDoo's, Yoho National Park, Kootenay National Park, Banff National Park, Lake Louise and Golden.  There is no way to recap the entire trip as we took close to 500 photos. I have included the highlights. The scenery is break-taking and the fall colors were at their peak. We had temps ranging from -1c to 12c with rain and snow intermittent. Highlights of the trip include a stop at The Bear Paw Brewing Company in Canmore: this just after a bear ran out in front of us across the TransCanadian Highway, and a sighting and interactive visit with an American Pika- the smallest rabbit (lagomorph species) in the world. The Pika sighting was on my bucket list.  I also got to try Potaine-a regional dish made from french fries, gravy and cheese curds- absolutely delicious. And rounding out the list was the purchase of a new bathing suit on clearance for $24.99 marked down from $79 and a dip in the Fairmont Hot Springs pool.  We also had a nice long visit with Andrew's parents and their friends.   

Kootenay River. IMO-the most beautiful river in North America

 Fairmont Hot Springs

 Aspen Leaf

 Lake Louise with the parents

 Big Horned Sheep near Radium Hot Springs

 American Pika

 Loved the Ravens

 Raven in Yoho National Park

 Lake Louise

 Bear paws on the trail to Dog Lake

The Kootenay River

 The hot springs pool which is drained and filled every day

 I'm in Banff National Park, Alberta and Andrew is in Kooteny National Park, British Columbia

 The Hoo Doo's. There are Hoo Doo's in lots of places. It is the name of the type of rock formation.

 At Takakkaw Fall, Yoho National Park

 Near Canmore, Alberta, Canada, Frosty morning

Ooh and ahhing over the beautiful aqua color (caused by glacial flour) of the Kootenay River.