Jun 1 2009

Goodbye Ohio

It was an exciting couple weeks here in Ohio but alas I must fly home tomorrow afternoon. I bid thee farewell Magee Marsh.

Magee Marsh
Magee Marsh

But before I leave I must present the photos I took last weekend. I ask that if you are under the age of 18 you don’t go any further than this as some of the following photos may offend.

Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel

Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel

Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo

Warbling Vireo
Warbling Vireo

Warbling Vireo
Warbling Vireo

Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler

Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler

Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone

Purple Martin
Purple Martin

House Wren
House Wren

Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Wood-Pewee

Gray-cheeked Thrush
Gray-cheeked Thrush

Herring Gull
Herring Gull

Eastern Screech-Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle


May 26 2009

Ohio – Memorial Day Weekend

I spent all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Magee Marsh/Crane Creek near Toledo, OH. Although the weather was absolutely gorgeous – mid 70’s, partly cloudy skies and a steady 15-20mph wind from the north – it was not conducive for bringing in gobs of migrants. In fact, we pretty much saw the same birds over and over again all weekend and limited numbers of those birds at that. It did allow me to work on better photos of some of the species present. Despite the disappointing diversity and quantity I still managed to come away with 8 new photo birds – unfortunately, Connecticut Warbler not being one of them.

I spent early morning Monday at Oak Openings Metropolitan Park just west of Toledo. I didn’t find the Cerulean Warbler (which was the primary objective) but I got photos of Blue-winged Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting and Summer Tanager…and if I ever keep track of an “Ohio” state-list I recorded Lark Sparrow and Blue Grosbeak as well. Mid-day I headed back to Magee Marsh and was disappointed that it was yet another “boring” day there….but relieved to hear no one had seen a Connecticut Warbler in my absence!

Other than birds I also got some cute photos of two Raccoons playfully posing in the hole of a tree trunk and a Garter snake cruising along a fallen tree. I’m still trying to get some Muskrat photos but they run away every time I get close to them.

Raccoon
Raccoon

Garter Snake
Garter Snake

Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler

Indigo Bunting
Indigo Bunting

Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler

Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler

Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo

Warbling Vireo
Warbling Vireo

Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Wood-Pewee

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swan

Tree Swallow
Tree Swallow’s Copulating

Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird


May 12 2008

Back Home!

I am now back home from my 9-day trip to Northern Ohio. Had a great time photographing all of the migrating passerines at Magee Marsh, Crane Creek and the rest of the hot-spots along Lake Erie. I recorded a total of 25 new photo birds and much better shots of many of the birds I already had.

Now to get ready for our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos! We leave this Friday.

Some new photos toward the end of the trip I have not posted yet:

Painted Turtle
Painted Turtle

Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee

American Robin
American Robin

Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler

Gray Catbird
Gray Catbird

American Woodcock
American Woodcock

Wood Thrush
Wood Thrush

Great Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull