Monthly Archives: May 2006
East Harbor State Park
Have no clue what plant this is. Very abundant around the park, mainly near the edge of ponds and wetlands. The red-winged blackbirds sure did like them.
Leave a post if you can identify!
Mute Swan and Cygnet
Before European settlers made their way into Ohio country, the resonant call of trumpeter swans, North America’s largest waterfowl, echoed across area wetlands. The call of a trumpeter swan is often described as similar to the notes of a French horn. The call is very resonant and trumpet-like, hence the name trumpeter swan and term swan song.
Here is a mute swan, with her cygnet (baby), and is an undesirable exotic species from Europe that competes for food and habitat with native waterfowl species. Mute swans are very aggressive. Mute swans are often confused with the trumpeter swan but have an orange bill and a distinct black knob.
Great Blue Heron
The great blue heron stands nearly four feet tall. It has a whitish head with black plumes that originate just above its eyes and project out behind its head. One of the largest bird species in Ohio, there was a time when heron numbers dwindled as the feathers were a favorite of the millinery trade during the 1800s.
The great blue heron is often observed motionless, as seen here, unlike other predators that actively stalk on foot or wing, the great blue heron takes the complete opposite approach–it stands still, watching the water for a fish. Then in the blink of an eye, in a sharp and seamless movement it will snare its prey.
Male herons are the first to arrive at the previous year’s nest. Later after females arrive, courtship rituals are initiated between pairs. The birds will dance in circles and nibble at each others’ feathers. The female will often urge the strutting males on by croaking in response to their actions.
East Harbor Sunset
Camping at East Harbor State Park was fun and allowed many opportunities for photographs. This sunset over the middle harbor near the swimming beach.
Marblehead Lighthouse
Camping at East Harbor State Park on the edge of Lake Erie was a good base for day trips around the area, today was to Marblehead Lighthouse. The discolorization on the lighthouse itself is due to an ongoing painting of the exterior.
Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes, has guided sailors safely along the rocky shores of Marblehead Peninsula since 1822. In 1819, the fifteenth U.S. Congress recognized the need for navigational aides along the Great Lakes, and set aside $5,000 for construction of a light tower at the entrance to Sandusky Bay. Contractor William Kelly built the 50-foot tower of native limestone on the tip of the Marblehead Peninsula. The base of the tower is 25 feet in diameter, with walls five feet thick. It narrows to twelve feet at the top with two-foot thick walls.
Red-winged blackbird
The name is taken from the male bird’s distinctive red shoulder patches, or “epaulets”, which are visible when the bird is flying or displaying. At rest, the male shows a paler yellow wingbar against a black background. The female is an inconspicuous shade of brown and considerably smaller than than the male. The adult birds are from 7 to 9.5 inches long, and have distinctive sharp bills.
Red-winged blackbirds are one of the most abundant birds in North America. The males are very territorial during breeding season, defending their territory with song and chasing, as seen here.
Final Sunset
This is the last sunset on my trip. I really enjoyed traveling around the Southwest USA via Amtrak this year, met lets of great people and saw the most extraordinary sights.
Wonder where my next trip will take me…
Bridal Veil Falls
This is the top of Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite National Park in California. Heavy rains and still melting snow allowed the falls to be at one of its best in years.
Yosemite Deer
Came across a deer in Yosemite National Park, the deer was more concerned with getting its stomach full then with me. I was able to get within 5 feet of it. I eventually saw 4 deer in the same area, they stayed around for about an hour then left.
Golden Gate Bridge – Battery Spencer
This is the postcard shot that everybody has. Taken from Battery Spencer.