Horned Grebe
Horned Grebe I found this horned grebe fishing along the banks of Buckeye Lake, in central Ohio today. I photographed and watched him for about 2 hours this morning. This species is a first for me and the amount of time i had to photograph him just sweetened the pot. To my suprise this is a very small bird and i almost didn't see him. More Information Info courtersy of the Audubon.org The Horned Grebe is abundant during autumn and winter on the large rivers or inlets of the Southern States, but rare along the coasts of the Middle and Eastern Districts. On the rivers about Charleston in South Carolina it is seen at those seasons in considerable numbers, although not in larger flocks than from four to seven individuals. The same is observable from that place to the mouths of the Mississippi. It is particularly fond of those streams of which the borders are overgrown by rank sedges and other plants, and are subject to the influx of the tide. In such places they enjoy greater security while searching for their food than in ponds, to which, however, they for the most part retire at the approach of the pairing season, which ...
Redtail Hawks & Friends
Redtail Hawk & Friends At Slate Run Metro Park-Columbus, Ohio 1/31/10 My goal was to photograph Norther Harriers this day however that did not happen. For some reason they were absent that morning. However the ever elusive Redtail Hawk, elusive to me anyways, for some reason i have a hard time finding good photo ops of this Raptor. I see many of them just always too far away for a good photo. This particular Redtail Hawk was being harrased by a flock of crows, about 10 to be exact, they just would not leave this hawk alone so he found a tree with alot of snags in it just to keep the crows from attacking, as you will see in one of the photos. My morning started out around 7am I arrived at the wetlands in the back of the Slate Run Metro Park at just 10 degrees it was hard getting started, however the sense of adventure kicked in and i threw the clothes on and afield i went. I have a routine of making a circle around the wetlands by heading east towards the first of many ponds on the wetlands. My first encounter was with the Bluebirds at one of the many nest ...
Canada Geese On Ice
Canada Geese On Ice Photos taken at the slate run metro park in central ohio. Slate Run Metro Park isn't resting on slate rock -- settlers mistook the dark soil for 350-million year old slate. It's actually shale, a soft rock made from clay deposited by water about 350 million years ago. Slate Run features a variety of habitats ranging from the open areas of grasslands, wetlands and meadows to the forested areas of beech, oak, hickory and sugar maple. Red-winged blackbirds, meadowlarks, indigo bunting, belted kingfishers and numerous other birds and wildlife can be seen at the 156-acre wetlands. More than 70 species of birds have been spotted there. The park features Slate Run Living Historical Farm where visitors can learn about and help with chores on a working 1880s farm. About 12 miles of trails wind through the fields, forests, ravines and grasslands. Visitors will cross a restored 1800s covered bridge on one of the trails.
Whitetail Doe’s In The Pumpkin Patch
Whitetail Doe's In The Pumpkin Patch Photos Taken At The Dawes Arboretum Wetlands, Licking Co Ohio More About The Dutch Fork Wetlands: A diverse ecosystem, wetlands are home to a variety of birds, insects and mammals. Our Dutch Fork Wetlands area is comprised of five wetland ponds. In the fall, watch as migratory birds stop here to rest and feed on their way south. In the spring, see returning nesters as well as other migratory birds taking a break before they head further north. More Info
Redtail Hawk
Redtail Hawk photo taken along the historical Erie Canal Systen (Deep Cut At The Licking Summit) portion, still maintained by the O.D.N.R. for the purpose of filling the fish hatchery brooding ponds.
Drake Mallard
Drake Mallard photo taken at the Fish Hatchery wetlands located in Hebron, OH. During the spring (late Feburary thru April) there are many species of ducks migrating north. Many will stay and raise their young at the wetlands.
Morning Dew
The morning dew on these field grasses and the early morning light made this shot for me.
Female Wood Duck
Female Wood Duck photo taken at the Fish Hatchery Wetlands In Hebron, OH this imature female was born at the wetlands this was taken shortly after they had learned to fly. She was curious about that clicking sound from the camera.
Pileated Woodpecker
Female Pileated Woodpecker This female Pileated Woodpecker photo was taken 2/14/2010 at the Dawes Arboretum in Licking Co, Ohio. I have seen them all my life here however it seems like there numbers have dwindled over the years. Since i have been an avid bird photographer i have searched to photographed one of these beauties with no avail. Today i hit paydirt and was greeted at the arboretum by this beautiful female. A little about Pileated Woodpeckers Information Courtest Of http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org The pileated (meaning "crested") woodpecker is the largest woodpecker living in Ohio today. Although they are large, they are seldom seen. It can be identified by its size as well as its large red crest and black and white body. The strong bill is used in making nesting cavities and locating wood-boring insects for food. Their extremely strong bill works quickly, taking 1/1000 of a second for each stroke. The pileated woodpecker was the model for the cartoon character, Woody Woodpecker. History Pre-Settlement The remains of pileated woodpeckers have been found in a number of archaeological sites in Ohio. Their brilliant red crests were used by American Indians to decorate calumets (pipes). Settlement Like other woodland species, pileated woodpecker populations declined throughout Ohio as early settlers cleared the forests to ...
Horned Grebe
Horned Grebe I found this horned grebe fishing along the banks of Buckeye Lake, in central Ohio today. I photographed and watched him for about 2 hours this morning. This species is a first for me and the...
Mute Swans
These Mute Swans spend the summer here at the lake, there return a few days ago was a welcome sight becuase spring is not far behind them. This pair seemed curious about me taking there photo and acted like...
Horned Lark
Horned Lark I stumbled upon these Horned Larks last weekend as i was headed to Dawes Arboretum for a day out. I decided to take a backroad and search for Redtail Hawks along the way. Little did I know i would...
Pileated Woodpecker
Female Pileated Woodpecker This female Pileated Woodpecker photo was taken 2/14/2010 at the Dawes Arboretum in Licking Co, Ohio. I have seen them all my life here however it seems like there numbers have...
Ohio Bald Eagles
I had the pleasure of photographing these majestic Bald Eagles in Ohio last year. This was a mating pair that had taken up residence at the Hebron, Ohio Fish Hatchery wetlands in April 2009, This photo was...
Female Wood Duck
Female Wood Duck photo taken at the Fish Hatchery Wetlands In Hebron, OH this imature female was born at the wetlands this was taken shortly after they had learned to fly. She was curious about that clicking...
Morning Dew
The morning dew on these field grasses and the early morning light made this shot for...About Me
My name is Alan Smith and currently live in the beautiful state of Ohio, Having been Born and raised here has armed me with the knowledge of the many landscapes, swamps and woodland forest that many critters call home. Many places I trek in search of subjects to photograph are the same areas I explored when I was very young.
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