Wetlands...

 You never know where you'll find wetland habitat.

This is in downtown Columbus, Ohio

 This Saturday, June 22nd 2013, the Ohio Wetland Association will be holding their annual meeting AND jamboree at the historic Homer Page Farm near Milan, Ohio. You know Milan, Ohio! It's the birthplace of Thomas A. Edison. Wow...three plugs in one sentence! I think that's a record for me...

A lot of people don't think about our endangered and disappearing watery habitats very much. They should. Especially birders. There's so many species to be found migrating through these areas and breeding and nesting as well. For decades, wetlands were considered nuisance areas and should be drained for farmland and development. "Let's make something useful out of that marsh!" Not realizing that these marshy areas help filter and clean out water that we so kindly pollute.

Now that we're hitting the summer season and the migrating warblys have passed us by for Canada, this would be a good time to visit your local misty moisty area and take a peek. You'll be surprised by all that's going on around you!

 Hey Doodles! 

Look at those Common Moorhens, oops, Gallinules fighting over who's gonna get the photo taken!

We're just starting to see more dragonflies appearing for summer buggy fun!

These Black Saddlebags are easy to spot as well as dozens of other species.

A good substitute for warblys in the summer!

 

 Oh yeah... Magee Marsh.

Definitely my favorite marsh in May!

You can find warblys and migrants in May, dragonflies and marsh birds in the summer, 

and shorebirds and ducks flying through in the fall.

 Every time I see a Green Heron, they look a little different.

This chubby guy was at Sanibel Island, Florida.

 

 Speaking of Florida...

We saw this Limpkin's butt while on a visit, give me a minute and I'll remember where...or not...

 

 Meadowbrook Marsh is very close to Magee.

The folks in this town realized how important this type of habitat is and restored it. 

Three cheers for them!

 

 You'll also see Midland Painted Turtles among others...and frogs...and snakes...and bugs...and...

 You didn't think I would forget one of my favorite wetland nesting warblys did you?

Oh boy, it's a Prothonotary Warbly thing!

Everyone gets excited when they see on of these bright little birds!

 

 Then there's the National Wildlife Refuge Systems.

These are supported by hunters when they buy their duck stamps.

Have YOU bought a duck stamp? Hmmmm?

This is Ottawa NWR.

 

 So, where do you think Sandhill Cranes nested?

Yep, marsh moisty wetlands.

 This Virginia Rail was not in Virginia...though I think it's name was Virginia...or Bob...

 Sandy Ridge Reservation is a great place to visit with woodland and wetland habitats.

You can spot Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, herons, ducks and shorebirds there.

 Ummm...these Sora are not fighting...they're...ummm...making more Soras. Yeah, that's it.

 

 Look closely and you may be surprised at what you see in a marsh!

Besides Wood Ducks...and yes, this is a real photo and I DO NOT use Photoshop in any of my photos!

 

And now for the token booty shot!

We found this Common Snipe sharing the boardwalk at the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation with us.

He's so kind to lead the way.

NOW GET OUT THERE AND GET YOUR FEET WET!

Meadowbrook Marsh...close to, but not part of...

Going South!
A Magnolia Warblys version of 'carb loading' for his long voyage
to his winter home...or is it his summer home below the equator...
now I'm really confused...

Close to the Lake Erie Birding Trail, but not (yet) part of it, Meadowbrook Marsh on the Marblehead peninsula is a fantastic place to bird. Great marsh and wetlands, woods, meadows and LOTS of birds, even though they don't count towards The Doodles great goal...

"The Big Birdy Decade!"

We spent last Saturday looking for fall warbly things out there and to pop in at the Midwest Birding Symposium that was going on at Lakeside. We ran into so many birdy friends that we haven't seen in quite a while and we(mostly me! yakyakyak!) ended up talking more than birding. Even still, we had a good birdy day.

This is a view of the marsh.
The clouds passed us by and the sun came out for all of the visiting birders.

You never know what will pop up inside the marsh!
This time it was an American Redstart.

Speaking of things popping up in the marsh...
Hey kids, it's our buddy Greg Miller!
Jack Black's character in the upcoming movie "The Big Year" is based on Greg, though not as crazy as the real thing
(that's a compliment by the way.)

No respect...this is Ernie...doing his impression of "Loopy From Behind"...wise guy...
Bird Watchers Digest had a booth as MBS taking photos of attendees and placing them on the "cover" of the magazine.
Ernie will never make it...

Okay...back to the birds...
Love those fall warblys!
It's another American Redstart.

This is a difficult one, until you notice the feet.
Blackpoll Warblys have loud legs!

The Doodles and Rondo Rick were on the other side on this shrubbery chasing the birdies to me.
Then I would chase them back so Rick could get a few shots.
By the way, this is a Black-throated Blue Warbly.
Ain't birding fun?

I've never seen cabbage as white as this Cabbage White Butteryfly.
I don't get it.

Cedar Waxwings.
Not in a Cedar tree. by the way.
Wings made of feathers, not wax by the way.
I think the bird namers were overly medicated.

Speaking of overly medicated..
I think his Downy Woodpecker looks ready for rehab.

No jokes left.
Pretty flower break...

Hmmmm...
I think it's a Philadelphia Vireo.
I know, we're not in Philadelphia, but I still have my opinion.
It's my blog and I can call birds anything I want.
I think I'll call this one Bob.

Red-bellied Woodpecker in shock.
He shook all of the leaves off the tree.

This photo should be part of "International Crappy Photo Day" which will be coming soon.
This little Ruby-crowned Kinglet was right above two well hidden Marsh Wrens screaming their brains out.

Sub species of the Tufted Titmouse...
Tousled Titmouse.
Really, look it up, I dare you.

White-breasted Nuthatch.
Nuthatch...where I will be going one day.
The Doodles already has the paperwork.

Pretty flower break...again.
Ooooh...ahhhh...

Guess that booty!