Spring has sprung!

We started our drive at Rocky Fork.  Usually it is too late to check out the lake.  We found American Coots everywhere.  There must have been a few hundred all around the lake.  This group was out of the water.  I had never seen one out of the water, so this was a treat!

At first sight, we were sure what they were.  So I got closer pictures.

Then way out on the lake we saw a group of ducks and they weren't American Coots.  It was a mixture of  Ruddy Ducks and Buffleheads.  The Ruddy Ducks were a new duck for us.










We then went to Paint Creek to see what might be there.  It started raining and didn't see much.  We did see Bluebirds.  They are back, but I couldn't get a very good picture because of the rain.  I did get this picture of a female Cardinal. I thought her color was almost a yellow with red.

Then we saw an Eastern Towhee.  He was singing his beautiful song.  I knew it wasn't for us but possible for his mate but we enjoyed it just the same.

While at Paint Creek we checked out the Heron Rookery.  They were there fixing their nests.

There were several trees that had communities of Herons.

Looks like this Heron is just building a nest.  He has a lot of work yet to do!











This couple were just hanging out in their nest.  Not sure if they have any eggs laid yet but looks like they are ready.

 We then headed to Charlies Pond to see if anything new had migrated thru.  The storm clouds were really looking different by now.

This is the canal area..The clouds were amazing.

This cloud had a strange look to it with that part hanging down.  The green field is winter wheat.












We saw Pheasants everywhere! We counted about 12 male and female.  Of course the males are easy to spot but the females blend into the field that we probably missed some.

We saw and heard the Song Sparrows.













I have saved the Vultures for last.  For some reason, they love the Paint Creek area.  We saw them everywhere.

This one was on the Paint Creek Dam. They like sitting there. Then we saw these others in the tree tops

They are impressive birds.  Their purpose to me is very noble.

The clouds were getting stranger.  We did see 4 rainbows that day.

I will leave you with the sunset at Charlie's Pond...

Now that I am retired (just today) I hope to get out more and report on my blog and hope you all will enjoy it....till next day outing ....

Update of Spring in the Park!

 Amazing what 4 days of Spring weather did for the Park.  I went down early this morning to check it out.  Just enjoy the pictures like you are walking thru the  park.

 This is view of Water Street.

This is looking from Water street down into the Park.

Looking across lake to Gazebo.

This is my favorite tree in the Park.  It has so much character.  The ducks on the lake are the Redhead Ducks.  They are still hanging around.

Red Bud Tree starting to bloom.

 Some of the beautiful trees in bloom.  Just breathtaking.  I walked under them and it was like being in a fairy tale.

 In the south corner of the park is a section dedicated to the history of the city.











This is a memory circle of bricks.

 Then walking thru to the area where the history of the city is told in the large stones seen below.

 This is a small amphitheater.












Of course, no visit is complete without checking out the Swans.  She was sitting on her nest this morning and her mate was patrolling the area.

 I got to see him chasing the other two Swans off the water.  He doesn't want them anywhere near the water.

 Hope you can see the splashes made with his wings as he hit the water with them..The other two Swans made it to shore.

 And then all was well....He made his way back to his mate and nest.

 There was a new visitor in the Park today. A Wood Duck and his mate.
They were on the north side under the Weeping Willow tree.

Then on the south side I noticed these two in the big Sycamore Tree.

 The squirrels were out running and playing everywhere.  This one was watching what was going on.

This Redhead Ducks looked like they were still dancing!











Well that ends this visit to the Yoctangee Park, Chillicothe, Oh.  Hope you enjoyed it and if you are even in the area...be sure to check it out...
(if you want to make the pictures larger...just click on one and you can see just the pictures)