Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge...still catching up!...

 Mandatory for every visit to Ottawa...one dozen Bald Eagles.

Jeez...what month is this anyway? Yes kiddies, I'm still behind in editing and posting photos. I suppose I could do this twice a week...but I think that would be cruel and unusual punishment...for you, not me. We'll catch up one of these days...Meanwhile...back in birdland...

I took a drive out to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, not to far and very close to Magee Marsh(they'll be another day...) This little journey was at the end of May, the 29th to be exact, a very warm day with only a few folks wandering around. For the most part they were on the trails up front, only crazy people like me hike all the way back to the lake to fight off the insects and to search for anything that moves, then sits still for a second!

Birding with groups can be fun and I did walk with two nice woman for a bit and pointed out a few birds for them and they told me of their birding travels across the US. Birders are always friendly folks! But, I really like to get out alone in the peace and quiet of nature and just wander and listen. There's so much out there if you're silent and pay attention to the world around you.

Try it, you may get hooked!

 Did I mention the dozens of juvenile and adult Bald Eagles out there?

 When I was speaking to the other birders, we saw this Black-crowned Night-Heron in one of the ponds...of course before I could remember how to push the buttons, he flew off.

The memory is a terrible thing to, uh...uh...never mind...

 Later, as I was wandering at the far end, guess who I spotted in the tangles?

Yep, the Black-crowned Night-Heron found a nice fishing spot!

And I found a gap in the trees and shrubs.

 As always, the Canada Geeseses were leaving their "marks" all over the trails.

Fortunately, the goslings don't mark as much...yet.

Keep your shoes on.

 The turtle on the left is a Common Map Turtle, for something "common," I've never seen one before.

His log mate in a truly common Midland Painted Turtle.

I need to start looking closer at these guys!

 No, no, no...this isn't a politician running for president(take your pick.)

It's an Eastern Garter Snake in the grass...

 Though, like a politician, he couldn't make up his mind which direction he wanted to go.

(This is the end of my political rant. Thank you.)

 Eastern Kingbirds always know what they're looking for!

MORE BUGS!

(And not the ones hidden in someones office...sorry, I'll stop now.)

 Um, Great Blue Heron. In the marsh. Standing still.

(I ran out of smart a$$ed remarks. Good thing, eh?)

 This Killdeer must have had a nest nearby.

There was a pair, one flew off screaming while this one wandered slowly into the grass, squatting down, then moving slowly, all the time watching me carefully.

 A nest of unknown ownership.

It looks similar to a Marsh Wren's nest and they do breed here.

Hmmm...any ideas out there?

 Aw! Ain't they a bunch o' cuties?

Love them lil Pied-billed Grebes...all stripey and fuzzy...

 The adult kept a very close eye on me, making quiet sounds to keep the kids at a safe distance from me.

 This guy seemed to have a difficult time getting his buoyant butt under water...

Must be a poor diet...more roughage little buddy!

 Purple Martins find it difficult to knock on doors without arms and hands.

 Well, at least the Red-winged Blackbirds laugh at my jokes...

 Oh yeah! Redheads are hot!

Oh, wait...uh...never mind...oops...

This is a Redhead duck.

Different.

And now we shall have an Egret Interlude...

 That's a male Snowy Egret in the center trying his hardest to impress the babe on the left with his fluffy feathery fierceness.

It didn't work by the way.

Oh, I almost forgot, that tall handsome guy on the right?

No, not me, it's a Great Egbert...no, EGRET, yeah, that's it.

 Mr. Smooth gave up on the females and decided to get something to eat.

Not unlike myself.

 Just chillin' out on a muskrat lodge.

 ...still looking for something to eat.

Seems this guy is really striking out today...

(Watch it! No jokes there!)

 And like me, he's showing off his graceful strides!

You try walking in that muck!

 Interlude is over...back to our regularly scheduled program...

 It's a little Song Sparrow trying to hide from me!

I can always spot you guys!

 You know that corny over done photo of the two swans with their necks intertwined to resemble a heart?

Yeah, well this is my version!

So there.

 Oh, they're Trumpeter Swans in case you were wondering.

Hard to tell from the butt shot.

Lots of minerals in the water here!

 Why it's a Warbling Vireo warbling!

Who'd have thought?

 Okay, name that Empidonax Flycatcher!

Oh look! He has a leg band too!
I f could make out the code from here, I would call and check.

But I can't, so I won't.

Oh well.

Looks kinda like a Willow...maybe...

 HEY!!!

I know this one!

He's a Yellow Warbly!

Yea!

 This was the only shot I got of this Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

They're hard to find...and when you do, poof, they disappear!

One last Snowy Egret before I go!

It's so rare to get close enough to get good photos of them...at least for me.

Thanks again for putting up with my silliness!

Until we meet again...

...Meanwhile...Back at the Marsh...(oh my.)

 The Yellow-billed Cuckoos were abundant this year...cicadas for lunch anyone?

 Yep, this is the continuation of last weeks ever so thrilling bloggity kids! I'll bet you were going mad all week in anticipation...or maybe not...well I was CUCKOO for this post! Ha! Get it? there's a photo of a Cuckoo up there! See it? Scroll back up...sheesh...yep, there ya go. I knew you'd figure it out. I have only the best and the brightest burd nerds on my site!

(Shield your sensitive eyes for this next one children!)

 You are correct in your assumption.

Those are two Yellow-billed Cuckoos making preparations for a third Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

They did teach you about the BIRDS and the bees did they not?

 And yes, that is the male skipping out before there's more mouths to feed.

The Baltimore Orioles were busy as well!

So, where was I? Oh I remember now...sort of...these are a combination of two trips to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, more specifically, the Ira Road trail head and the beaver marsh(and I STILL haven't seen any beavers there!)

Both days were hot and sunny with lots of friendly folks out and about. A big lens always attracts curiosity and it's a great way for me to introduce more people to the birds that populate(and RE-populate!) our area. It's surprising how many people don't notice what's going on in the natural world around them. They're all too busy biking, jogging, playing with their silly cell phones to see the amazing life that surrounds us all.

Next time you're out in nature, get someones attention and show them a bird or a turtle, anything, just try to rekindle their sense of wonder.

 A bird as simple and common as this Black-capped Chickadee got the attention of quite a few after I pointed it out.

He was spinning around this leaf and others getting his fill of insects.

 People tend to be fearful of insects until you explain their place in nature.

This Blue Dasher dragonfly and many others like him were circling the marsh eating as many of those tiny insects that buzz around your head when you're trying to take photos of dragonflies and swatting at those tiny little insects that buzz around your head.

Am I repeating myself?

 Speaking of bug eaters...this Bull Frog was poised under a branch that had dragonflies perched on it.

He tried jumping to get them...not high enough...lucky for the dragons...

 Carpe Diem.

Actually, just a plain ole carp.

With a very big mouth.

I think he was trying to growl at me.

"Rooooaaarrrr!"

I never heard it.

 Cedar Waxwing.

Doing something.

That's all I got...

 Okay kids, I'm leaving this one up to you!

To me, it looks like a Clay-colored Sparrow.

Very hard to find around here, but he sure as heck looks like one!

Let me know what you think...

 This is an obnoxious Common Grackle checking out a Tree Swallows nest cavity.

 This is the same Common Grackle, even more obnoxious, taking over the Tree Swallows nest cavity.

 Proud, but still obnoxious Common Grackle.

They did raise a family in there...

 This is half of the pair of Eastern Kingbirds that were patrolling the wetlands.

Also a big bug eater!

 One of my favorite birdies! Gray Catbird singing his crazy jumble of songs.

(Don't tell the warblies I said that!)

 Great Blue Herons also garner quite a bit of attention out here.

They're large and easy to spot and folks always love seeing them.

He's not a "crane" even though most people say "Did you see the Crane over there?"

At which point I get out the iBird Pro guide app on my phone and begin to get excited and over explain things until they say "Oh, uh-huh."...

 ...then I just say, isn't he gorgeous?

And everyone smiles and agrees.

(That was a close one!)

These Great Spangled Fritillary's on milkweed seemed to have a few close calls with our birdie friends!

 This is a very aggravated  Midland Painted Turtle.

Aggravated because he has a leaf stuck to his face...and I just stood there, giggled and took his picture...then walked away.

Sorry buddy, but it WAS funny!

 The Mourning Dove would have laughed as well, but birds can't laugh.

Except for the Kookaburra, but they don't live here.

 Sorry folks, that ain't no beaver!

It's a Muskrat and yes I'm sure.

He is om-nomming something tasty!

 Northern Cardinals have always been difficult for me to shoot.

UNTIL I discovered that they fall for that "look behind you" line!

 Got you this time!

 I like pond lilies.

They don't move...too much.

 Oh, that poor Red-tailed Hawk.

Why is it that Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles love chasing them around...?

 ...and plucking feathers out of their behinds?

They must have some sort of feather collecting game going on.

 "Whoaaaa!"

Don't you hate when get yourself into a predicament like that?

 That female Red-winged Blackbird didn't laugh as much as me.

Now that I think about it...BIRDS STILL CAN'T LAUGH!

Except, of course, for the Kookaburra...and they still don't live here.

Ask Stewart.

 Speaking of no sense of humor... Snapping Turtles...zero sense of humor...

Good stare though...

 I just remembered...this is Bird From Behind...

There. It's a Song Sparrows butt.

Happy?

 Okay fine.

Here's another.

Tree Swallow FROM BEHIND.

Bossy kids...

 Ha-ha!

Tree Swallows front!

 I had a beautiful serenade from this Veery.

I walked all around and under this guy and he just kept singing.

I just sat there quietly and listened.

Life is good when you can listen and be still.

CUTE DUCKIES!!!

 I have a friend that goes crazy for duckie photos.

This mother Wood Duck with duckling will make her go wild.

 The kids are getting a lesson on proper preening.

 Now they can go for a swim and have a little lunch...

 I get the crazy eye from so many birds...I wonder why?

Maybe they've seen this goofy blog...

WARBLY!!!

And it's a Yellow one! 

It's getting harder to see them with all of the leaves out.

Speaking of leaves out...I'm leaving!

For now...

See you next week with more wacky adventures in...

BIRDS FROM BEHINDDDDDDD....(pretend that's an echo. Cool.)