… familiar feathery and leathery friends.
On the middle day of the long Memorial Day weekend, I did some Sunday strolling at Lake Erie Metropark. I’d already visited this venue several times since Spring had emerged after a too-long Winter. When I arrived it was wonderfully warmish, albeit with slightly annoying winds, but the plentiful pops of color made up for it. There were plenty of bright-green leaves, reeds and grass, plus lots of pretty wildflowers as I tripped along the Cherry Island Trail.
By the time I drove out of the Park just after noon, the wind was gusting mightily and the camera card was groaning with pics, some which I shared in last week’s post about Mama Canada Goose with her brood, but that feathered friend encounter was only a portion of the birds I saw that day, as there were also Great Blue Herons, Egrets and Ospreys. On this day, I was still checking out the Osprey family near the marina to ensure that at the first signs of new life, I would be ready to take pictures of the Osprey offspring.
The Sandhill Cranes were MIA – again.
Sadly, I only saw the pair of Sandhill Cranes once or twice this year. This is always my first pit stop each visit to this venue. They like to hang out near the Offshore Fishing Bridge, so, if I see them, I pull into the nearby lot. But the pair was a no-show again, so I parked at Cove Point and walked along the shoreline to the Osprey platform at the marina.
Mom and Pop Osprey were in residence that morning.
Unlike those occasions when the Osprey pair take off as soon as they see me, this time they stayed put, so I was able to snag a few photos of these feathered friends.
But evidently, I overstayed my welcome and my photo-taking liberties were suspended when the male departed …
… which was okay, as I was getting a stiff neck from looking up at the nest and trying not to take it personally when they scowled at me like this. 🙂
On the way back to the car, my head was swiveling left and right as I was on the lookout for Tree Swallows taking over Bluebird nesting boxes – none of that nonsense was happening though. Several Canada Geese waddled by me, but I saw no goslings to ooh and aah over at that particular time, so I moved along and headed to the other side of the park.
The wind was starting to pick up, ripping apart my messy bun and whipping strands of hair around my face and across the camera lens – sigh.
After a quick visit with Luc, I headed to the boat launch area.
I walked down the middle of the road leading to the boat launch. Along the way there were some reeds already greening up in the marsh which had still looked blah and lackluster on my previous Springtime visits.
I guess I should not have been surprised to see areas of the marsh that were still dried up from the Summer of 2024. As you know from a recent post, many of the marshes continued to be dry from our moderate drought conditions this past Summer.
I glanced back at the boathouse and Luc’s enclosure, all aglow with the fresh green colors of Springtime.
I wondered if anyone lived in this old stump cavity, or perhaps it was a hidey-hole for squirrels playing hide-and-go-seek?
I usually walk along the overlook, but since it was crowded with anglers on this holiday weekend, as mentioned above, I walked in the middle of the road, dodging the occasional boat-hauling truck, often with a dog hanging its head out the window and barking furiously at me. From this vantage point I could see the marshes on both sides at the same time, since you can’t always exit the overlook onto land in a hurry. I was glad I did this since the marsh had a few hungry egrets and herons and I was hungry for photo ops.
This Egret was a go-getter …
… and, I watched as the wind ruffled its feathers, diminishing its usual streamlined appearance.
It was a beautiful day to capture reflections, here with almost a mirror image …
… that is, until the pesky stick marred that peaceful-looking, perfect reflection. At least no feather gel was needed here for either reflection photo.
The Heron strutted its stuff …
… until it found a fish, focused and soon captured it in that long bill. The picture’s a bit blurry as I was standing on uneven ground and shook a little just as its bill clamped shut. Ouch – poor fishy!
Down at the boat lunch, the flags were flapping in the wind.
I was not surprised to see several small boats out and about and, along the shoreline, I saw this bulk carrier ship and a fishing boat, which, from my perspective, looked a little close for comfort, in my opinion anyway. Look at the different shades of water here. Hmm. I didn’t notice that when I took the photo.
After wending my way along the trail, enjoying the view and the warm sun on my face, I stopped when I saw purple peeking out from the long grass. Wildflowers – perfect! Even more perfect would be bees and butterflies, that is, if it wasn’t too early for those delicate winged creatures.
There were wildflowers aplenty.
The prettiest were the purple-colored Dame’s Rocket, which I found all along the Cherry Island Trail. They look like Phlox, but before you’re tempted to take a “snip” for your home garden, Dame’s Rocket are considered invasive. Oh well, I guess I’ll just enjoy them here then.
I saw the first butterfly of the season, a Painted Lady, which unfortunately was not sipping nectar from a Dame’s Rocket, but instead had landed on the ground and perched upon a ratty-looking Maple seed. Perhaps the wind was messing with it alighting on the blossoms, so it was safer bet to flit down to the ground. Besides, there’s no coaxing a butterfly where you want it to go. Sweet talkin’ doesn’t work and I had no butterfly treats, so I moved along.
Also in abundance were Wild Daisies, or, if you really want to be botanically correct, they are known as Philadelphia Fleabane. Personally, Wild Daisies is my preference for these perky Spring blooms.
The turtles were sunbathing.
I hope they brought their sunscreen as it was almost high noon and they were lined up peacefully on this log, glad to be above water and soaking up the sun. After a long, cold Winter spent far beneath the water’s surface, I’m sure the turtles cannot bask enough in the sun’s rays. They seemed to be a content lot, lined up, perhaps by seniority, just taking in the scenery, occasionally stretching out one long, leathery-looking leg.
If you wonder what peace looks like, look no further. As poet Walt Whitman told you in his poetry collection entitled “Leaves of Grass”: “Peace is always beautiful.”
This particular sunning log is also used by my favorite pair of photogenic and accommodating-for-picture-taking Mallards, but they were likely miffed by the turtles overtaking their favorite spot. I’m sure they found another log to be with one another, glad for the warmer temps that will make their lives more bearable.
This little alcove is also the end of the Cherry Island Trail, so I headed to the car, feeling like the wicked wind could roll me like a tumbleweed, instead of merely plodding along on two feet. I checked a weather site later and learned the gusts were nearly 20 mph during my visit.
For some reason, some of my comments on your posts are going to your SPAM file. I haven’t a clue why, but if I “like” a post and there’s no comment there, that is why.
I am joining Terri’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: Peace and will also join Terri’s Flower Hour Photo Challenge (on Tuesday) as well.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Wow, you saw quite a variety of plant and animal life and got some very nice photos. It’s funny that the turtles took over the mallard’s spot. They look quite comfortable. That’s a wonderful photo of the ship and boat. I really like the subject and the colors you captured.
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Thank you Rebecca! It was a good day for photos and I also had the goslings in the mud that day which was a treat. I think the turtles and mallards seem to take turns on that big log. I know that when I go past this little alcove, either the ducks or the turtles will be there, so there is always a photo opportunity at that spot. I’m sure the turtles were happy to be in the sun after our long Winter. It will be the same next Spring as we have had Winter-like conditions since Thanksgiving.
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nice shots Linda, you had a full day out.
I guess the thing that bothers me the most about Luc is his living area! A eagle needs to exercise its wings by flying about. I know they’ve told you he can’t fly but I bet he can fly! At least a bit and with more exercise he’d be able to fly ok. I think they say that to justify keeping him in such a small and cheap roost.
To give him the proper facilities they would need an enclosure 100 feet by 50 at least and the added bonus is that they could get him another eagle as company.
Basically…..he’s in solitary confinement and that is cruel and unusual punishment!
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Thank you Wayne! Yes, it was a good day out, plus I had the goslings from last week on the other side of the park.
Yes, the shot I took of Luc’s enclosure and the boathouse from afar really does show its size and in comparison to the boat house it shows how small it is. The property that Luc’s enclosure is on is far enough away from the museum and parking lot that they’d have room to build a bigger enclosure for him but, as you say, they figure he’ll not fly, so they keep him there. I’ve seen him in that enclosure since I began going there in 2018. It is sad … he does not interact every time I’m there, so likely he is bored and uninspired to do anything.
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I also cringe to see raptors in small cages. That’s no quality of life for birds. Are we really doing them any favors?
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No, it is no life and Luc has been there in that enclosure since 2008. He had a broken wing and is partially blind due to an accident. The enclosure is not big at all (20 feet long, 20 feet wide and 16 feet high). I always visit with him, but he doesn’t always interact with me. I’m sure he is bored. At Oakwoods Metropark they have a hawk and an owl in enclosures as they are not suitable for release either. The owl always sits in the back of the enclosure in the dark.
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Lovely bird and flower photos despite the conditions. The marsh sure has dried. Love the turtles sunning themselves. The waters colours with the ships is interesting
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Thanks Brian! Everything was so fresh and green, but yes, the marsh was dried up and continued that way through November, the last time I was there. I worry that all the waterfowl will go elsewhere with their habitat being like this, but all the water levels are low in Michigan right now. The turtles are very peaceful looking lined up like that. I was surprised with the water colors as I didn’t notice it in real time!
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hi Linda – I love the wildflowers and the turtles lined up. Oh and the different shades of water were so interesting. That entire composition was a special photo because of the lines, those colors – and those two boats – and sky – and angle – So original
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Thank you Yvette! I had a lovely walk that day, between the sweet goslings and all these birds. And I am sure I was filled with the promise of many more walks this Summer (which didn’t happen due to the extreme heat). I know I returned here just a few days later, on June 1st, just because this had been such a great walk. The turtles on the log are always a hit with not only me but other bloggers because they are so peaceful looking. I am wondering why I never noticed the multiple shades of blue in the water when I took the photos as I was amazed to see how they looked like stripes once the image was on the screen. Spring and long walks can’t come fast enough!
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Spring will be here pretty soon (well sort of – ha)
and a few years ago, when I did the Lens Artist challenge, I remember a pro photographer chatting about the way skies and water are captured by cameras – a fresnal effect or white balance issue. I was looking for his notes and info and then found this
“Water shows bands/lines of different blues because it reflects light differently depending on angle (Fresnel effect).
What this creates:
Some parts of the water reflect sky → deep blue
Some parts reflect sunlight → bright or white
Some parts let you see into the water → green/teal/dark
Ripples tilt at different angles → causing striped or banded patterns across the surface
This is extremely common in photos of lakes, oceans, and pools.
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Well, a girl (ahem) can dream, right? 🙂 Thank you for the fascinating info on the different colors of the water at Lake Erie. I was amazed how I didn’t see it in “real time” and now understand why. I have taken many shoreline photos of freighters and that was a first for me to capture these different hues. Thanks again for looking up that info in that blog post Yvette.
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I have never seen that many hues in water either- so it was pretty cool – and I wonder if your camera was also just extra good that day – the light was right at that angle and other factors – who knows – but it is really cool
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Yvette, I wish you’d seen the look on my face when I saw that image of the boat on the water on the computer screen! Yes, the camera did good things for me in that photo, but the heron and fish photo, I shook a little and it was blurry. I used the photo anyway, as those herons are quick … one, two, three seconds and that fish is speared, maneuvered around in the bill and down the hatch!! I’ve yet to capture an image of the wiggling fish in the heron’s long slender neck, but a fellow blogger did a short video once and it was incredible to see the movement of the still-thrashing fish.
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that video sounds cool – and it was fun seeing such a unique photo –
wishing you a great day, Linda
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Yes, that video was very cool Yvette. Thank you and same to you!
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🙃
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Wow. All of these images and descriptions warmed me up while im looking at the snow in my yard. Im feeling nostalgic for spring.
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I’m happy to help you relive warm weather Dawn. This was a good day for walking and taking pictures and though I hate to wish my life away, I am already counting the days until next Spring. Unless we have a little warm-up before “real Winter” sets in, this is going to be a terribly long Winter.
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I agree. Though when I was a kid I remember getting snow like this in December and we always wanted a white Christmas…right? So……be careful what we wish for I guess. I’m already over it all.
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Yes, back then we were excited to build snow forts, or go ice skating. For me it was tobogganing, which was popular in Canada, more so than sledding. I hope when we see this warm-up around Christmas, we see the grass again. I am over it all too.
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The photo of the ship and boat is a great shot, esp. with the several shades of blue sky and water as the backdrop. Gives a sense of just how big Lake Erie is. The osprey is an impressive – er, make that “imposing” bird. I wouldn’t want that beak anywhere near me. Finally, I love the turtle line-up! At first I’m wondering why they’re in perfect formation but then it makes sense. They all just climbed onto the log from the same side so naturally they’re facing the same way. Can’t get enough of the turtle pics.
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Thanks Dave! I knew you would love the turtles … they just look so perfect lined up in a row like this and enjoying the sunshine. Those Osprey always look like they are ready to zoom down and pick a fight with you. I didn’t get the two Osprey posed together as they were too far apart on the platform. That beak is a force to be reckoned with. I was amazed I didn’t see the colors in Lake Erie as I photographed the two boats, but maybe it is like taking pictures of the Aurora and the camera lens picks up what your eyes do not see. I just looked where Lake Erie ranks of the five Great Lakes and was amazed to see it was the fourth largest lake. One fact is that has big waves and Michigan surfers prize Lake Erie for those waves and it has a big following of surfers. I read that fact a few years ago and was amazed.
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Love them all but especially the turtles.
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The turtles look so peaceful lined up like that – it makes you want to join them!
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Thanks for the look back at warmer times! I am looking forward to seeing all the summer birds, plants and critters again.
It’s funny that you think the osprey was scowling at you. I always think birds of prey look annoyed. I don’t think it’s YOU, Linda! 🙂
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You’re welcome Laurie – I am glad to give you a glimpse of warmer, sunnier days. I can’t wait either, especially after dealing with this ongoing wintry-like weather.
I am glad I’m not the only person thinking they have a perpetual scowl. I always feel like they are sizing me up, especially when it is the two of them checking me out! 🙂
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Sorry a bit late to the peaceful party of critters, birds and butterflies, Linda! I was about to comment on the textures but realized this is about peace. Those turtles look happy and peaceful lined up. Of course egrets and herons could teach us how to wait and be patient, with their reptilian grace! Beautiful shots all around. I bet you’re missing that lovely late spring day!
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Thank you Terri! The turtles always seem to be the most peaceful of all the creatures at this park, just watching the world go by and basking in the sunshine. The egrets are always so graceful and slow moving and I had to catch this one with its feathers ruffled by the wind, so uncharacteristic for this graceful bird. Yes, we can learn about patience from watching these birds fishing – they study the water, not moving a muscle, for long periods of time. Yes, I do wish I was enjoying a late Spring day like this one. In fact, I enjoyed this long walk so much that I returned the following Sunday, June 1st. Little did I know I would not return for a while after that due to the heat … our weather now is terrible. We have two episodes of a wintry mix coming in, one tonight and one tomorrow night. We have lots of ice around after Sunday’s wintry mix. I’m sorry I whined about the heat now!
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Some wonderful shots of birds, boats and flowers, Linda. Thanks for taking the time to ID the plants and pointing out that Dame’s Rocket is invasive. It’s a popular mustard in gardens.
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Thank you Eilene! It was such an enjoyable walk, that I returned a week later. The Dame’s Rocket was everywhere in this bend in the trail, all shades of purple, but yes, best left there.
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Great photographs of the osprey on its nest!
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Thank you Anne! It was fun watching them up on their platform nest and seeing them watching me too!
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A lovely nature walk and I’m longing for those spring days, now. You probably are too! It’s so funny how the osprey always looks annoyed and I’m fascinated by the egrets and herons. Such unique-looking birds. Great shot of the boats, with the different hues of blue water! 👌 The wildflowers are lovely to see and those turtles definitely look peaceful. 🙂
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Thank you Debbie! I’m glad you enjoyed going along on this walk with me. I enjoyed it so much I went back a week later. I was lucky to see so many birds, plus the goslings and their mom from last week’s post. I don’t always see the Osprey, which is a bit annoying if do the long shoreline walk and they’re away from the nest. I was lucky with the different hues of blue water and never noticed it in “real time”, just when I had it on the screen. It was a peaceful walk, filled with flowers and birds and it feels like forever when I was there and forever until I will enjoy all this beauty again. We had a snowfall this morning that piled up so quickly that it was like a time-lapse photography video and in the midst of shoveling, it began to graupel like crazy. Tonight we’re getting a few more inches of snow which will transition to rain … I’m thinking I may not even go out until the afternoon. Hopefully the new stuff will melt.
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MIss Linda…………………………………are you the one who made the snow fall through out the blog while I was reading about the Egret catching fish and the turtles sun bathing???? Thank you for the picture of the pretty flowers THe Dames Rocket!!
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Ann Marie, I’m glad you liked that pretty snow twinkling down that I turned on for my blog, even though you, like me, are probably pretty tired of snow by now. That snow this morning came down so quickly, by the time I finished shoveling, everything was covered again and I had graupel pinging me for a while too. This was such a beautiful and peaceful walk … how many days until I can see that beauty there again?
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Lots of photos telling stories! I agree with Wayne and I feel so bad for Luc, what an awful way to live his life. I like seeing the turtles on the logs or elsewhere, they always seem to be snuggling up to each other.
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It was quite the walk Susan. Lots to see that day. The last part of my walk is always this little alcove and it’s a toss-up whether the turtles or the photogenic Mr. and Mrs. Mallard will be there. It’s nice to see either of them for some photo ops. The turtles were so content they did not plop into the water as they often do. Luc’s case is so sad. He is blind in one eye and his wing was damaged, both from an accident many years ago. He was deemed un-releasable, so here he is. I always stop and visit with him and chat a bit. Sometimes he chirps back, but often he just perches with his back toward me.
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That is so sad about Luc. Too bad. They didn’t have another injured eagle somewhere that they could put in with them. Maybe he’s just lonely.
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Yes Susan, it is sad. I would think that somewhere there would be another injured eagle that cannot be released and could provide some companionship for Luc – it would benefit both eagles. Or put him inside the museum where he could interact with visitors and would be out of the harsh elements.
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Oh how nice it would be to see some greenery and flowers right now! I’m not caring too much for the wicked winds lately. I always love to see the turtles…..and the blues in that boat/water picture are stunning!
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Thanks Joni! I would be happy to see anything green right now, let alone Spring flowers. I’d even like to have some heat and humidity to whine about. If it’s not the wicked winds, it is snow and ice and bitter cold. I hate this weather and there’s no warm-up until Christmas week. I love seeing the turtles sunning themselves on the log too. That was a lucky shot with the different colors in the water. I don’t recall seeing it when I took the photo and was pleasantly surprised to see it on the screen.
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You’re welcome Yvette! I enjoyed reading your post and the story.
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Great pictures of the osprey and the egret! I do wonder if birds notice their reflections in the water and if they do, what they think about them. I know birds sometimes react to their reflections in windows, sometimes even attacking them. Hmmmm…. I also wonder if their reflections interfere with their fishing. I’ve never heard of dame’s rocket before but I will remember that its blossoms have four petals, while phlox have five. Loved seeing all those turtles on the sunning log. I bet they’re bromating in the mud at the bottom of the pond now.
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Thank you Barbara! I was happy the Osprey pair were at the nest as sometimes when I visit they’re off fishing or collecting sticks for the nest. That Egret was fairly close to me, so I had a good view of it. I also wonder about the reflections and how the birds perceive themselves. It amazes me how those shore birds will study the water so intently and the water may be murky or filled with duckweed and they still manage to catch a fish. The Dame’s Rocket blooms are very pretty and delicate. I worry about the turtles where the marshes are drying up. If they are dried up, the turtles can’t burrow themselves in the silt/mud all Winter – at least I wouldn’t think so. No wonder they are glad to sunbathe on the log after spending so much time underground.
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Look at the size of the turtles necks, they look like they are all muscle. I love the multiple turtles picture the best because all of the heads are checking you out. Once again you took some wonderful reflection pictures Linda!
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I forgot to tell you the picture of the flying Osprey wings is beautiful!
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Thank you Diane! That was lucky for me that I caught that shot as I was looking up at them for so long, I finally looked down to give my neck a rest and the one flew off right away. Good thing it was chirping as it flew away or I’d have missed that.
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Thank you Diane! I really like when I can get some nice reflections and I was amazed the water was calm enough for reflections as it was so windy that day. This Sunday’s post will have some reflections too. I like the turtles on the log too and usually they plop into the water, one by one, once they see me, but they were content to stay on the log, sunbathing, but yes, checking me out so I didn’t come after them. I’d have to wade through the water so “no way, they are safe!”
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I can’t believe how many species of birds we saw frequently during our years in Florida are also among those in your northern climate, at least in summertime, including sandhill cranes, osprey, and herons. I did a quick search and found that while some remain in FL all year round, others do migrate. Interesting!
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That is interesting Nancy! I really wonder why some of the birds like herons and egrets would stay here when it is so cold, especially the weather we have right now (going to be -20 “real feel” early Sunday morning). They are so scrawny to begin with and depend on fish to eat and some of our waterways are already ice covered from this Arctic blast we have had off and on since Thanksgiving. Surely that is not good weather for them. I follow a local wildlife photographer, Jocelyn Anderson on social media and she said she saw a flock of 50 Sandhill Cranes the other day. I’m sure some of these birds are sorry they didn’t leave earlier. All our raptors started migrating in September so they were gone by November. And, our Robins used to migrate and we’d be happy to see the first one every Spring – not anymore as they stay through the Winter.
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I read this following two below-zero mornings, so the warm-weather scenes are especially appealing!
The picture with the fishing boat and the cargo ship is perfection itself.
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When does all this brutal cold end JP? It is disheartening when it is not even Winter yet and is decimating my walking regimen! Thank you – that was a lucky shot for me and I never saw the various blue hues in the water until I had the image on the screen, so that was a nice surprise!
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