Yoctangee Park, Chillicothe, Ohio

The pear trees are in bloom, in March!  I think that is the earliest I have ever seen them bloom.

Under the willow tree at the west end of the park lake, is the Swan couple.  This is the second year nesting here.  Last year they only had one baby.  I noticed at least 3 eggs in the nest.

They are a pretty blue.

That is the nest behind the swan on the left.  It is built in the bush that is there.  Last year it was more hidden in the bush.

After taking the pictures and leaving the area, the male took up his guard duty and checked out the rest of the lake.

After he swam under the bridge, he took off in flight.  Was very exciting seeing him fly to the east end on lake.

There are two other swans on that end and I am sure he was checking them to be sure they don't bother him or his nest.

These are the other two swans.  I don't know if they are babies from last year, but believe they are the same sex.  They haven't mated.

Walking around the park we saw some other interesting sights.

These turtles sunning themselves on a rock and in the background, looks like another coming to join.

Another view of the park.

Over by the Water street side. I noticed a group of ducks that just didn't look like the usual Mallard mix we have in the park.

A migrating group of Redhead and Greater Scaup ducks stopping over in our park pond.  That was really neat to see.

The Greater Scaup is the one in the top picture with the white by their beak (female)








The male Greater Scaup is second duck from top of this picture.

Looks like they were doing a dance here.

Found these eggs by this bush and didn't see any ducks around.  Don't know if they are abandoned or what.?

Some Canadian Geese were there too.  Saw some fly over and land in the lake.

The Swam swimming back to his mate and the nest after checking the lake. So beautiful.

The park bridge....and

My last view as I was leaving.  Such a beautiful morning for a walk in the park.  Hope you all enjoyed it and can't wait to take you on my next adventure!!!!!

The Blue Heron

 The Winter of 2011 was allot colder than we have had this year.  These poor
Herons were at Paint Creek, Ohio the end of January 2011.  My sister and I counted about 20 spread out across the frozen lake with small fishing holes.

I had never seen this before and found it really interesting to watch them as they waited and watched thru the ice for a fish.

 In the Spring we found a nesting area for the Herons.
They are like a community with many nests in the same tree.

 There are about 5 trees that have nests in them.












Here as spring turned to Summer you can see the babies.  I don't know how they don't fall out of the nest.

 We were hiking at Rock Fork Lake, Ohio when we saw this one high in the top of a tree.  He was sunning himself.  We watched him for quite a while.  We couldn't decide if he had had a bath and was drying his wings or just enjoying the warm sunshine.

This is at Rocky Fork over by the damn and where there use to be a Mill. This is a baby with a parent.  The other parent was over on the bank.  This is one of my favorite pictures.

This handsome fellow was at Paint Creek down from the damn. He is just hanging out waiting for the catch of the day.

We went up to Magee's Marsh along Lake Erie in May, 2011 and found some beautiful Herons there.

 They wouldn't let us get to close as we were walking along the shore line. This gave me a great opportunity to get some action pictures.

I got a couple of good ones.
We are planning on another trip up to Magee's Marsh in May. It is the migration time for Warblers...and lots of other things.

This one was hiding in the grasses on Canal Rd. just outside of Circleville, Oh.
We almost didn't see him, he blended in beautifully.

But I don't have to travel far to see a Blue Heron, they visit our City Park on a regular basis.

 This one I caught on my camera last spring.  There is a Mallard mom and her babies behind him.

 I think he was trying to ignore me and my camera.  He isn't afraid like the ones out in the woods and lakes. He must visit often and use to people.

He got on the bridge for a while.











Hope you enjoyed see the Blue Herons.  They are one of my favorites and always take their picture.

The Rest of the Story!!!

After our last great, free breakfast, we sat by the fireplace playing scrabble before we had to check-out and head home.

Comfy rocking chairs...and a fire that never dies...who could ask for more!  Well I did.  I know. After a great stay at Deer Creek but I wanted to end the week-end with drama and excitement!










On the way home we decided to check out Canal Rd. (one of our regular places we go).

The falls were running and it was beautiful on a pre-spring day!
Then we noticed all this movement around the falls.... Oh My!!
Could this be what I was hoping for???

It was this cute little Chickadee.  Hanging around and doing tricks for us!
What was that!

A cute Titmouse...and then some Downy Woodpeckers (who wouldn't let me take their pictures). There was this cute Nuthatch there too.

  Then there was this tiny bird flying around everywhere.  We walked down the trail tracking him trying to figure out who he was...

After checking with Birders who know....He was identified as a Golden-crowned Kinglet.  A new bird for us and excitement!  So I was feeling better about the week-end coming to a end.

Here is the Scioto from Canal Rd. Park.  Then we decided to drive by Charlie's Pond before arriving home.
Hundreds of Mallards were there and we saw a few Horned Lark.

The Horned Lark blends into the background that they are very hard to see.

In the tree was this couple, American Kestrels.  They were watching us to see what we were doing.  It was very windy that day too.  Think the wind was what kept them there long enough to get a picture.

The Male, I think.

And his bird bride... ;)




















So by now we were very happy people...so turning the car around and heading back.....What is in the field over there....????

Looks like Deer! About 6 deer and they saw us!  As I was trying to zoom in to get a good picture they decided we were too close and turned and ran away.  I love this picture of their white tails waving good-bye to us.








I had gotten my excitement and drams I was hoping for and was ready to go home......when  Oh My!  What is that? What are those dark shapes in the field?

Could it be!  Yes! It is Sandhill Cranes!  Oh My! There were 8.  

We drove around and found a closer view (not much) but I zoomed my camera in.  While the others were eating, this one looked like the lookout....then we noticed the Northern Harrier flying around over them.

He had been in a tree near by earlier...

He is looking in the Cranes direction.  

The Harrier had just flown over them.  We thought maybe he was hoping to pickup some food that the Cranes might come across.  Anyway it was a very exciting sighting and we went home happy and tired.


 And that is the rest of the story. ;)