Stage's Pond

This is a hidden nature preserve just off of route 23 north of Circleville, Ohio.  It is a nice hike, is mostly flat but the hike winds around thru forest then to a praire.  There are two lakes with a lot of wildlife.

This is a view of one lake from the praire side of the preserve.  We saw a Doe and her twins playing in this area.












The white tail deer.

Checking to see if we were a threat.  After a while they ignored us and went on with their business.

These little rabbits are everywhere.  There hasn't be a time that we visited and they weren't around. They have the biggest eyes.

These are berry bushes in bloom

One visit the wild roses were blooming and smelled wonderful.

This fellow had us guessing...We thought we had discover big foots little brother!! But he turned out to be a sleeping raccoon.

This fellow was singing his heart out.  He is a Eastern Towhee.  There are a lot of different varities of birds at Stage's Pond.  One time we saw a red fox and one of the caretakers told us where there are owls.  We still have yet to see them.

There are Heron on the lake.  We have seen one everytime we have been there.

Monarch visit

The Monarch Butterfly: Biology and ConservationHad the Monarch butterfly visit my yard this week.  It was so beautiful.
First he was over by the water fountain I have and there are some rotting apples on the ground.

At first I thought it was a Viceroy.  Then he flew over the fence and a few minutes later he flew back and landed on a flower.

I got a better look at him and decided he was a Monarch Butterfly.

I keep hoping he will return.

Canal Road off 104

There is a road between Circleville and Chillicothe, Ohio called Canal Rd.  The Ohio and Erie Canal operated into Chillicothe between 1831-1852.  The drive along what is left of the canal is peaceful.  One might see Herons, muskrats, turtles, ducks, birds, butterflies and lots of wildflowers. There is a small park by one of the locks between the canal way and the Scioto River.

The Scioto River from the Lock at Canal Road Park.  Below is the lock between the river and land.

Virginia Bluebells on the right, sometimes in the spring they cover the field and the Tiger Lily are scatter around.

There is a walkable path between the canal and the river.  There is also a small pond that Mallards have been seen .  Sometimes all you can hear are the frogs croaking.

Blue Heron are usually always there and if you are lucky you will see a muskrat or two.

Sometimes the waterfall is great and then at other times of the year there isn't one.

This Mother Mallard and her babies was a site to see.  She saw us and hurried them into hiding.  I was only able to get a few pictures.  The other bird is the Louisana Waterthrush (think).

This Baltimore Oriole had built they nest in a Sycamour Tree right on the bank of the Scioto River in the Canal Road Park.  The nest was dangling on the limb.  This was an exciting site to see.

Day Lilies blooming along the Canal Road was beautiful.

And at the end of the day, the sunsets can be gorgeous at the pond on Canal Road.

Rocky Fork State Park, Ohio

Rocky Fork State Park
This is a beautiful park, has boating, camping, wildlife areas.  One wildlife area I enjoy is

A great hike with a bird blind and marshy areas for viewing birds and butterflies.

Hoary Edge

Twelve Spotted Skimmer

View of marsh along hiking trail.  This area was better kept last year 2009, had sunflower field and wildflower field to attract birds.  This year is it very unkept and not as many trails mowed, but still a very attractive place to visit in any season.  You  never know what you will see.

Sunflower Fields, August 2009.














We saw the Great Egret fly over in August 2009.

Even in Winter, it is beautiful to hike.

The bird blind. Feb. 2010.

Deer Creek

Osprey, juvenile

Parents in tree along the banks at Deer Creek Wildlife Area...looks like they are waiting for him to leave the nest.

This Indigo Bunting landed on the sign at the intersection at the Deer Creek Wildlife area..We were so thrilled...was like he was saying HI..

This beautiful Red-Spotted Purple on Queen Anne's Lace was beyond words.

Found these Clouded Sulphurs right in the roadway.  They weren't even bothered by us..would fly away and return.

Found this sunflower field and these birds fly up out of the field..not sure if they were Red-winged Blackbirds or Starling...

This was beautiful but a storm was moving in fast and we had to get back to our car.