On my way to where I need to be, I try and look around. We are surrounded by everyday beauty and wonders. We see only a tiny fraction of what is offered us though it is all present; if only we would slow down. Look. Listen. Feel. This morning I paused to take in the first of the day’s light falling across the cold, still waters of shallow Baldwin Lake. Canada Geese were standing in shallow water streaming over a small dam. They watched me carefully and, judging I presented a possible danger, pushed off and into open water. Still water turned silver, reflecting the open morning sky. The geese had the lake, a place of their own. I had to move along, though I already was where I needed to be.
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This morning we paid a visit to the heron rookery, or heronry, to see how the Great Blue Herons were getting on with their nest building. This particular communal nesting area is within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, at the north end of Akron. It was a fine, warm, spring day with large patches of milky clouds floating in a pale blue sky. A strong breeze flowed from the west-southwest and we could see the big birds struggling, at times, to control their landings high in the naked tree branches.
The bright cloud layers made many of our photographs into silhouettes; working with that was difficult but a few nice images emerged. Still, my personal favorite shots of the day were pictures that showed off the size, power, and primitive beauty of the herons — possibly my favorite birds to watch and photograph.
We’re nearly one week into spring, says the calendar, and today we received about four inches of very wet snow. Yep. Lots of wet snow. On the one hand, most of us are kind of tired of looking at it, much less dealing with the slipping, sliding, and shoveling. Then again, it can be very pretty.
Driving this morning was actually a pleasure. I took the most scenic route I know of to get to my destination. It was very tempting to stop every five minutes and take it all in. I did not stop every five minutes but I did stop several times, right in the road, to shoot photos from inside the car. I would make an exposure, look into the rear-view mirror which (I swear) seconds before was clear, only to find a car approaching, pushing me forward. The only real stop I made was at the Strongsville Wildlife Area where I hoped to see dark water surrounded by snow-flocked trees. I got a surprise. After spying on the Canada geese squabbling on the chilled waters, I turned to the left and, from inside the observation blind, was shocked to see a Great Egret standing only a few feet away. I had only my little PowerShot G11 with me and its operation is as near-silent as can be. Still, the great white bird allowed one photo, then took wing. I’ll bet that’s the same bird I spotted last summer. I’ll get ‘im yet!
The snow didn’t stick to the trees for long and later in the day, despite continuing spits of new snow, their branches were bare and dark. We may be ready for spring but we need to be ready for unexpected treats.
Today was the first day after the Vernal Equinox, it could be said to be the first full day of spring. For those of us in Northeastern Ohio, this fine “spring” day dawned with temperatures hovering at about 17 degrees (F) with a light coating of snow everywhere, and new snow lightly falling. Yeah, spring. Driving to my duties, I passed through the snowy spring wonderland gazing at many a lovely scene. Finally I stopped at a favorite place for morning pictures, the Lagoons area of Cleveland Metroparks, to record a scene or two. Dark waters set off snow-covered wooded grounds, and outlined the trees. Falling flakes clouded some distant areas. Amidst this seeming unseasonal scenery was a bit of a surprise. Two Canada Geese launched into the frigid waters to escape my approach and on their backs… a coating of snow. Spring? Well, it hasn’t “sprung” just yet.
I went out seeking Comet PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4) tonight. The sky was promising but, as we all know, promises were made to be broken! As the sky darkened the little comet became visible through binoculars. A thin crescent Moon, reminiscent of the fabled Cheshire Cat’s grin, presided over events. Soon, bands of thin clouds encroached. The comet began fading in and out. Finally, by 9:00 PM, after perhaps only a half-hour of visibility, it was gone. It was easy for them to quickly find and capture the dim apparition in the twilight. I had shared a parking lot with, perhaps, a couple of dozen cars. Folks exclaimed “cool” and “awesome” as they spotted our little visitor. Then they headed home. I looked around just about 9:00 and realized I was the only person left there! It was, after all, a cold night (32 F) for standing out in the open hoping to see a comet only briefly visible through binoculars. I chose to make my photographic efforts with my 400mm telephoto; makes sense? No. Those with the greatest success, both technical and aesthetically, used 70mm and short telephoto lenses. I tried a few non-tracking astrophotographs –all of them disappointing– and headed for home. So, I didn’t get a useable photo of the comet. I did, at least, see it. How many comets do most of us see in a lifetime, anyway? I believe I’m up to five!
* The Cheshire Cat faded away slowly until nothing was left of it but its grin. “Well! I’ve often seen a cat without a grin,” thought Alice; “but a grin without a cat! It’s the most curious thing I ever saw in my life!” (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 6)
Today we paid a return visit to the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky, Ohio. The museum occupies a former Post Office and federal office building in the heart of downtown. Its centerpiece is a full-sized, operating carousel which is surrounded by displays of carved ride animals. In addition to the carvings owned by the museum, several pieces on display belong to collections owned by individuals and businesses. Most of the carvings are beautifully displayed while a few are in their original condition. A carver works in a corner of the main exhibit area demonstrating the tools and techniques of restoration and of carving new ride figures. I have always had a love of traditional carousel band organ music and was treated to a performance. A restored and fully-funtioning machine stands in the main room with its open back to a panel of windows. Band organs are usually very loud and to stand so near one in operation was, while a joy to me, a bit uncomfortable. Stepping around to the other side of the windows, however, gave me insight into the wonderful musical contraption. The cymbals, drums, and other percussion instruments were played using compressed air actuators. The organ pipes, of course, also used compressed air. All of the air came from a couple of sets of bellows. And controlling the whole operation … a tiny perforated scroll, just like that used in player pianos! A wonderful contraption, indeed!
On Saturday we visited the Lake Metroparks’ Farmpark in Kirtland, Ohio. This rather unique park is dedicated to giving visitors a taste of farm life not far from their city and suburban homes. The farm has sheep, milk cows, horses, and other typical farm animals. They demonstrate the care and feeding of those animals and maintain a milk production facility. This weekend the park hosted their annual Maple Sugaring event.
Typically, visitors can see how maple sap is collected (the traditional buckets and a newer hose-fed system), and boiled down into syrup and sugar. Maple products made at Farmpark are available for purchase. It also happens to be nearly spring. A family favorite was the barn where young livestock were housed with their mothers: kids and lambs only days old, and young piglets. We spent a good long time in that barn and, after shooting many photographs and succumbing to cuteness overload, left pleased to have seen the kids (human and goat) interacting with such joy.

















