This and That

Not that any of this has to do with hiking the Metroparks it has everything to do with nature and what Annie and I have been doing.  So I decided to include a little of this and that.  I was too excited about it to leave it out even though it didn't have to do wiht our hiking.  We've gone to the 2012 Shreve Migration Sensation and saw some very interesting things.  We went to some lectures which were very interesting and informative.  I liked the one about sparrows probably the best.  They are always hard for me to identify.  They are always so darn hard to identify for me.  I mean I know they are a sparrow but they are so darn fast thats about as far as I get.  Hopefully with my new info I will do better. 
We also got to see some raptors up close thanks to Medina Raptor.  They are a raptor rescue and release group that brought some rehabilitated birds. I chose two favorites here to show you. 

The top picture is a peregrine falcon.  He was malnurished which is why the group acquired him.  He is unable to be released because of the problems from his upbringing.
The second picture is of a Leucistic red-tailed hawk.  He is not albino because he does have melanin to color his legs and eyes.  He was hit by a train and had a partial amputation of his wing tip.  He also is unable to be released back into the wild.  Ever since I had heard of leucistic birds I have wanted to see one so this was quite a treat for me.

The Shreve event was also a bit of a culture shock for me.  I didn't realize how involved in birdwatching the amish community was.   It was nice to see the children and teenagers involved as well.

We also have been watching the amphibian migration. 

This picture was taken by my friend Tamra Harrison.  I thought he looked like he was smiling. 

These spotted salamanders are most likely girls.  The boys were already in the vernal pools. The metroparks close a road so the salamanders and toads can migrate across the road. 
We also saw various toad and frogs.

This is a woodfrog.  Look at the mask on this frog.  Isn't it beautiful. 
None of the other pictures came out unfortunately but there were toads, bullfrogs, green frogs, and peepers. We also heard chorus frogs but didn't see any. 

One day I was sitting by the wet areas aloung the towpath getting frustrated trying to identify ducks.  I was just about ready to leave when I looked next to me and saw this. I guess I had been very still for a long time.

He looked up at me and looked as shocked to see me as I was to see him.  He pulled his head in very fast like maybe I wouldn't see him.  Once he realized I wasn't going to bother him he decided to continue on his way.

Since it has been unseasonably warm here the flowers are starting to bloom.  Daffodils are up and the trees are in bloom. 

Here are some of the early flowers

Spring Beauties

coltsfoot

Bloodroot
I love all the flowers.  I think I'm going to go back to O'neil woods.  That park always has lots of great flowers this time of year but ohh that hill. 

And for our final find a goose with a neck band. 

I submitted the band information.  Hopefully there were no mistakes in the data entry of the original input of information and I will find out where this goose is from.  I will post the info when I receive it.  I spotted this animal on the Ohio and Erie canal between Wilbeth rd and Summit Lake.   Hope you found all of these finds as interseting as we did. 
I this from time to time I will update you on this and that