SPRING BABIES!

 I know there's somebody in there!

 So...last Saturday I went to a new area for me in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Station Road Trailhead. I've heard many folks speak of this area and post great sightings, but I've never stopped by to check it out. Of course the weather was  another one of my favorite dark and dank days...SO...I went back again Tuesday very late in the afternoon. The weather was MUCH better! Mostly sunny with a nice mix of big puffy clouds.

I planned on a quick walk...my stomach was calling, but I ended up meeting quite a few people and learning about the good areas to bird AND about two nesting owls close by. The first was an Eastern Screech Owl, no luck on that one...the second was a Great-horned Owlet in a very visible nest. As I was walking down the trail with another great local birder, Neil, a number of folks passed us to ask if we'd seen the owl. They're very popular and well known along this trail.

Luckily another photographer was leaning up against a tree and he pointed out the nest for me. He'd been there for a while with no sign of the owlet. I told my stomach to shut up and be patient...worse than a kid sometimes...It's funny how if you stand still and hold a large camera, people will stop and look at you, then look up, then ask..."So, watcha got?" I got nuthin but an empty nest...so far.

Good things come to those who wait...and I waited, along with a couple of other folks. Then lo and behold, up popped and owlet butt! Does life get any better than bird booty on a bad day? No siree!
Oh yeah. Me was a happy boy!

Among the folks that stopped to see the owlet was a jogger with his baby in a "speed stroller." He even made the squealing brake sound when he stopped to see what I was looking at...I remember doing that too a long time ago. He thought seeing that was the coolest thing. I think his baby may have been a little too young to get excited about it. The dad even used his cell phone to take a pic of the image on my camera to send to his wife. The high point of his jog I'm sure....and mine!

 And there it is! The finest booty of the day!

 When you just wake up from a nap you got to twist those sleepies out!
My neck hurt from watching that...

I think he spotted me...shhhh! I don't want mom or dad to get me!

Oh my...watch out little mousies, this mean and majestic creature is gonna eat your face...one day.

Huh, forgot to look...

I have LOTS more photos...including ones like this Yellow-rumped Warbly!

I am soooo far behind on going through photos, I'll have to post more often now that spring is here...

AND THEN!!!! It's big warbly time at Magee Marsh!

Hot diggity!

 By the way, the latest catalog from Time & Optics is available.

Robert has the best selection of new and used optics and accessories in Ohio...maybe even the world! Plus he's a great person to buy from.

...oh, did I mention the latest catalog features photos from a very lovable local bird photographer?...ahem...me!

Springtime...for a day...

What a great day for a walk in the woods! The end of December and 65 degrees, we all thought it was spring, for a moment at least.



I went to Sandy Ridge Reservation in Lorain county for a little walk and some fresh air. Quite a few others had the same idea and I met a number of birders getting out and about. Everyone was having a good time and enjoying the sights and sounds and the smell of fresh air.



As you can see, I saw a Great Horned Owl, always a neat surprise. It was pointed out to me, after a lot of direction by, what a coincidence, relatives of my neighbor. Small world! After I took a few photos, of the back side of the Owl of course, a more mature (a nice way of saying 'older than me') birder came up to see what I had found. He had been coming to the park for a long time and has heard about the Owl but, had never been able to locate it. After more pointing and describing of limbs and trees and forks and branches and, not the Nuthatch, to the left and up a little higher, no not that high, you're getting closer, no to the left, up, up, there!! At long last he has a Great Horned Owl to add to his list.



Everyone I bumped into had a story of birding, whether it was just the darned Sparrows at their feeders or of Cooper's Hawks, also at their feeders, cutting back on the Sparrow population or trips to exotic places for exotic birds, all great stories. That's one of the best things about birders, they are all friendly and will all have a good story and a smile to share.



Oh, I also saw a few birds today...



Yes, there is a bird in there! I'll give you a hint, it's from behind(of course!)...