Busy Bluebirds

 
The Bluebirds have been busy watching their nests.
Both of the Bluebird boxes in the woodland garden  have residents in them now.

 

 

 

Along the Upper Trail

Wednesday my daughter and I walked along the upper trail from Old Mans Cave to Rose Lake.

It was a beautiful day for a walk and there were quiet a few other hikers out.

It was a little noisy at the beginning of the trail with all of the construction going on there putting in a by pass around the parks parking lot.

But as you get closer to the lake and over the hill it gets quiet again.

The water on the lake was a little choppy from the breezes but it did not keep away a few people that were fishing from the banks.

A few Dogwood trees were still in bloom near the lake.

 

 
And at the bridge over the upper falls the Pagoda Dogwoods were starting to bloom.

Bluets were spotted all along the upper trail.

Canadian Violets were blooming in the shadier areas along the first part of the trail.

Common Violets were growing everywhere.

A few Yellow Wood Violets were spotted among some fallen, decaying trees.

Golden Ragwort was also spotted at the beginning of the trail.

The native Geraniums are now starting to come into bloom.

And we spotted a few lyre leaved  Rock Cress.

One White Avens plant was just starting to bloom.

And of course the ever present Dandelion fluff blowing on the breezes,

Some Red Admiral butterflies were spotted and then there was this little brown Skipper flitting around.

Spring Wild Flowers

 

 
Cut-Leaved Toothwort

 
Bluets

 

Winter Cress or Yellow Rocket

Spring Beauty’s

Bluebells

Blue Violets

Large Leaf  Trillium

Downy Yellow Violets

Dutchman Breeches

Golden Ragwort

May Apple

Jack in the Pulpit

Trout Lily

Brown-Headed Cowbirds

 

This week three Brown-Headed Cowbirds dropped by to eat from the birdfeeders.

This species is much reviled, as it is a parasitic and lays eggs in other birds’ nests. The baby Cowbirds normally outcompete the hosts species young and thus the cowbirds have a determined affect on the songbirds.

Brown-Headed Cowbirds give a distinctive, high-pitched gurgling call that is unlike any other species.

This bird is well named; they are often seen in pastures foraging around cattle.
They are found throughout the state of Ohio.

 

 

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