John Bryan Birds

We finished getting the motorhome ready for our trip next week, and decided to take a ride. We ended up in Yellow Springs, and took a drive to John Bryan State Park.
Neither of us had been to JB for a number of years. Just seeing the rugged landscape and the cliffs and gorges brought back memories.
We did find several birds and were able to photograph a few....

A curious Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher...

Some fish under a log....

A Hooded Warbler......

More Hooded....

 Northern Parula Warblers......

 A pesky Raccoon.....

 And some wildflowers; including this Trillium...

It's that time of year.....

Owlets, Beautiful Red-Wings and a Sora

I spent a couple of hours at Prairie's Edge after Lynda told me that she had located the Great Horned Owl's nest. The former nest had been blown away in a wind storm last year.

Momma Owl chose wisely this year, choosing to nest in a dead tree....and fortunately in clear view!

In addition to the owls, I took some shots of the always gorgeous Red-Winged Blackbirds, and even called in a Sora in the wetlands.

My First Northern Parula of 2014

I saw my first Northern Parula at Buck Creek SP today. He was singing near the Meadow View plaground despite the snow and cold.

Rock Doves

These Rock Doves are nested in a dead tree stump at Old Reid Park. I caught them in flight during one of their "flybys."

Gadwall Antics

 

I watched these Gadwalls yesterday as the two drakes vied for the attention of this hen. They entertained me with their water and aerial battles....

 

 

 

Bigfoot

My....what big feet you have!

Redhead

Hooded Mergansers

Lots of Hooded Mergansers coming through....I love to photograph these beauties!

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker at CJ Brown.

Loons!

Lots of Common Loons at Buck Creek!

Mallards

These are "just Mallards," but they are so gorgeous!

White-Crowned Sparrow

White Crowned Sparrow from Buck Creek SP today.