A Unique Micrathena Spider

 Yesterday, while exploring George Rogers Clark Park, I saw and photographed a very unique Spined Micrathena Spider. These spiders are normally black and white in various patterns. This one was a vivid blueberry color. 

A Bold Jumping Spider Family

 A female Bold Jumping Spider made her nest and laid her eggs under our deck railing. It's been fun watching her raise her brood of spiderlings. "
If I get too close, she doesn't hesitate to "throw hands" until I back off. Such a good momma. 

Momma Bold Jumping Spider under the deck railing

The spiderlings 

Momma and spiderlings. They are starting to explore.

Momma threatening to "throw hands" if I get too close.

A spiderling

Momma close-up

Momma feasting on a Lacewing

American White Pelicans

 Let's talk Pelicans....they put on a real show over the weekend along Lake Erie! We love watching their antics as they use their huge bills to slap and chomp at each other. The American White Pelican is a large aquatic soaring bird. It breeds in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, as far as Costa Rica, in winter. In recent years, their nesting territory has been expanding, particularly into the Great Lakes region. They have been observed nesting in areas previously not considered part of their breeding range, like Lake Erie in Ohio. This expansion is likely due to several factors, including the availability of suitable nesting islands and changing environmental conditions. While these were observed along Lake Erie, there's an almost year-round population now at Grand Lake St. Mary's in central Ohio. Within driving distance for a nice daytrip! Here's some looks from the Magee Marsh Estuary trail on Monday morning.

Magee Kirtland's Warbler

 Today we were treated to a rare sight....a male Kirtland's Warbler here at Magee Marsh!
The bird showed off & on all day on the Estuary Trail. David and I both captured numerous pics. 

From All About Birds....
"The Kirtland’s Warbler is a neat gray-and-yellow bird and one of the rarest songbirds in North America. A true habitat specialist, it breeds only in young jack pine forests in Michigan and adjacent parts of Wisconsin and Ontario. During the past century, timber rotations and fire suppression proved incompatible with the bird’s needs, and Kirtland’s Warblers spent nearly 50 years on the Endangered Species List. Intensive conservation, including suppression of Brown-headed Cowbirds, allowed the population to increase tenfold, and the species was delisted in 2019."

Variegated Meadowhawks

 I love seeing these colorful dragonflies!
Variegated Meadowhawks are a dragonfly species that we don't often see in our area. They are a "migrant species" for us...meaning that they pass through our area as they move to other areas for breeding. 
These arrived over the last few days at the First Christian Church ponds. 

Pectoral Sandpipers

 While checking the First Christian Church ponds yesterday for dragonfly arrivals, I watched a flock of Pectoral Sandpipers circle and settle at the pond's edge. 
The name "Pectoral" refers to the distinctive streaking pattern on their chests. 
These sandpipers are long-distance migrants. They winter in South America and travel to North America for the breeding season. 
Watching their synchronized flight is always amazing and I always think about how nature has enabled them to conduct minute turns and banking at top speed. 
Some looks.....

Osprey Nest!!

 We had a tip about a local Osprey nest, so we stopped by there today. They are still actively nest building, but eggs won't be far off. Some looks....

Eastwood Metropark Great Horned Owls

We took advantage of the lovely sunshine today and visited a Great Horned Owl nest in Montgomery County.

Still one Owlet in the nest with Mom. The other was soaking up that sun. Had fun visiting and chatting with other owl watchers!