North Chagrin - Part 3

Photographers should always be open for new subjects. Such was the case on the morning of the first workshop day when a buck appeared on the other side of the small pond. Undisturbed by leaf-peepers and photographers, it made its way along the paved trail while we photographers fired away. It was the first time that I actually photographed a deer. The only other time I encountered a deer while carrying my camera the deer was way too close. I figured that I could maybe photograph its nose and not much else. And the nose would have probably been out of focus.
I am still editing the hundreds of shots I took at North Chagrin and find that I have many favorites. Considering the bad weather we have had during the past few weekends I had great luck. I still can't get over how tame the birds were. Last week, I went to Beechwood. There were three mallards on the pond but they always swam to the other side of the pond when they noticed me. They must have been passers-through since Beechwood is a popular destination with hikers and school groups.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with my results.

North Chagrin - Part 2

Waterfowl were not the only tame birds at North Chagrin Reservation. Here is a list of the birds I observed during my stay: Bluebirds, American Robins, Cooper's Hawk, White-breasted Nuthatch, White-crowned Sparrow, Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, Mallards, American Wigeon, Red-winged Blackbirds, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, House Sparrows, and a Great Blue Heron.
It is one of life's mysteries that a bird that I really could use in my portfolio only shows up when I don't have a camera handy. Such was the case on Sunday when my husband joined me and I decided to leave the camera behind while we walked around the pond. Just then, a bluebird landed on a small tree not far from where we were standing. Considering how many people visited the reservation last weekend I was amazed how accustomed to humans all the birds were. Of course, humans weren't the only creatures around. I haven't seen so many dogs this side of the Allegheny Mountains. But wood ducks are truly the stars of the show and quite a few people asked me anxiously, "Are they still here?" Yes, they are - at least until early November or whenever they decide to fly south.

Ducks galore

I spent the weekend at North Chagrin Reservation in Ohio where I attended a wood duck photo workshop. I arrived on Friday afternoon in a light rain and checked out the pond. To my surprise the birds were so tame that even the great blue heron I saw did not fly away when I approached. Apparently, the waterfowl and shorebirds are so used to people that they don't get spooked.
On Saturday morning, we joined plenty of other photographers on the boardwalk to photograph wood ducks and mallards in the early light. We learned that about ten years ago, wood ducks began to breed in the nest boxes that had been built for them. More nest boxes followed and the reservation now is home to a beautiful flock of wood ducks. Before migrating south in early November they have molted into their fresh plumage. Against the backdrop of fall foliage reflecting in the ponds they are truly beautiful. Mallards and Canada geese were also plentiful. And the trees around the ponds and on the trails are home to many songbirds. Although the workshop ended on Sunday evening, I spent Monday morning at the pond before I packed up and it began to rain. It has been a cold, breezy weekend but at least the rain held off until I was finished. The fall foliage, which was probably at or near its peak in Cleveland, added to the beauty of the experience. Now I am back in our warm house, tired and excited about the happy task of editing hundreds of photos. I think I have found another favorite spot to visit.

We're ready

We took down our hummingbird feeder over the weekend and cleaned our bird feeders. We have already stocked up on black oil sunflower seeds, safflower, and cracked corn. Now we only need to buy or make suet and we're all set. And I bought a new hopper feeder today. Let the birding begin!
Next weekend I'm going to a wood duck photo workshop and hope to return with plenty of great photos to add to my stock. I'm hoping to get more than one species of birds, of course.
At home we're seeing plenty of birds, mostly sparrows. The fall flowers are still in bloom and yesterday I actually saw a monarch on our New England aster. It was probably coming from the North and passing through our yard. I wonder how many visit our flowers without our knowlege?