Author

Tanya Wagner

Wow! Today was a magical day on the trail. We got up early and were on the path by 7:30 this morning. (I’d love to make it out at dawn one day, but Chuck is lazy). There was a wild storm last night and the trees still drooped with moisture. Every now and then, a soft breeze moved through the branches and it gently rained down on us. The morning sun streamed onto the path in glorious rays that took my breath away.

Shortly after we started walking, I heard a bird calling off to my right and saw a bright blue indigo bunting perched on a log. I was so excited! I’ve been trying to get a good shot of this brilliant bird all summer and I finally had a good opportunity. The little guy moved around the log, posing for me and singing his little heart out!

We moved on and soon saw a doe standing in the greenery, peeking out at us as she munched on grasses. Small great blue herons were everywhere! They still had some downy feathers and they were more skittish than the mature herons we usually see, so I was able to see them stretch their impressive wings and lift themselves out of the water to glide away with a few powerful flaps. In one wide, calm section of the canal, I saw a great blue heron and a green heron both fishing together. The picture of them isn’t the best, but it was so fun to see them hanging out together!

We walked a long time. As the day grew warmer, the birds retreated from the clearings and their singing was muted. Now, I could hear the cicada’s chatter taking over. It always sounds like summer to me. It starts far off and moves towards you like a wave. It surges and then sweeps past and moves off into the distance only to start again.

We were nearing the trailhead, when I heard a bird calling and calling. I finally found it perched in a tree. It moved around excitedly and finally came out so I could see it. It was a gray catbird. Its mouth was full of a worm or grub of some sort, but it managed to sing even with its mouth full. I wonder if the worm was still alive thinking, “put me out of my misery already!”

July 26, 2022 2 comments 186 views

CLEVELAND METROPARKS Rocky River Reservation

Water & Woods

by Tanya Wagner July 25, 2022

I’ve been getting up quite early so we can hit the trails before the heat gets too intense for Chuck. Today, I slept in. By the time we got to the parking lot at the Mastick picnic area in Rocky River Reservation, it was hot and humid. We headed into the woods. It was dim – illuminated with dappled sunlight – and emerald green. The path wound along near the river. Despite recent rains, the water was low. We could smell the rich scent of mud and the occasional reek of rotting fish. Chuck insisted that we go down the bank, so we scrambled over roots and picked our way over the rocks on the shore to a little spit of sand in the center of the river. The water gurgled and sparkled in the sun. A family of geese watched us from a nearby island. Chuck was so happy to wade in the cool water, lowering her head and scooping up mouthfuls as we walked.

Eventually, we made our way back to the trail and started back toward the car. I noticed a spot in the woods where a huge patch of ramps was blooming. Ramps are a wild onion that has become very popular among foodies. They have a charming flower that is a cluster of creamy blossoms. As I was focused on the ramps, Chuck found a toad on the forest floor. This time, she refrained from licking it. Thank goodness!

We emerged from the woods into a large mown field. Clover flowered everywhere. Barn swallows soared and swooped, feeding on the insects in the grass. I sat in the field and tried to snag a pick of the swallows in flight, but they didn’t like my intrusion. I still got a nice shot of the field meeting the woods.

July 25, 2022 0 comment 35 views

CLEVELAND METROPARKS Lakefront Preserve

Sunset

by Tanya Wagner July 23, 2022

Last night, Jon and I went to Cleveland Lakefront Preserve to watch the sun set. This is a fabulous bit of nature just east of downtown. It was formerly a dumping site for material dredged out of the lake. Now, it is an 88 acre wildlife sanctuary. I am perpetually amazed at how nature can take over an area and renew it so beautifully if just left alone to do what it does. I found this little history of the site for those interested: https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/433

We walked through a turnstile into the park and followed the perimeter trail to the left. It winds through some wooded areas and then into a grassy field where a curious deer and her friends let us get quite close. I loved the way the deer looked standing among the grasses and wildflowers!

We continued down the path until it reached the embankment at the lake. On the left, we could see the lookout. It’s a beautiful spot with benches and a little patio with views of the lake and downtown. Fishing boats bobbed on the darkening water and speedboats and jet skis zipped here and there in the fading light. We could hear the flutter and calling of so many birds in the bushes and grasses around us.

I have seen many sunsets. But I don’t think I have ever really watched the sunset like I did last night. It was incredible to just sit quietly and watch the sun dip behind the horizon. It lit up the edge of the world with a warm, dramatic glow before leaving us in shadow. I can’t wait to watch another!

July 23, 2022 0 comment 30 views

CLEVELAND METROPARKS

Habitats

by Tanya Wagner July 21, 2022

This morning, Chuck and I were out early to beat the heat again. We headed to Huntington Reservation in Bay Village. I’ve been there many times, but always to go to the beach. I’m not familiar with the trails so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The beach is beautiful and there are multiple staircases that lead down to the water from the green space at the top of the cliff. Unfortunately, they don’t allow dogs anywhere along the beach so we were unable to get close to the ducks and shorebirds, but we enjoyed the view of the water nonetheless.

As we explored the various trails, I was looking for habitats as well as birds or critters. This helps me memorize the area and gives me ideas for where I might look for things in the future.

We wandered a lovely trail that winds through the woods along the creek and eventually comes out at the beach. At the mouth of the creek, there is a wide shallow pool of water and I know that a lot of herons and fishing birds love this kind of habitat. We loitered there for a bit and it wasn’t too long before we heard a loud chatter and found a belted kingfisher perched above the pool. I love this bird and I have yet to get a really solid photo of one, but I tried a few shots today.

Next, we followed the path back towards the car and emerged at a gorgeous meadow. The grass is golden and bedecked with blue cornflowers. The edge of the meadow is hemmed with tall trees. I know there are a wide variety of birds that like these areas. Smaller birds look for seeds or bugs and larger birds like hawks perch up high to stalk them. We walked slowly and quietly through the grasses, but didn’t see anything.

Near the parking lot is a similar meadow. It was basking in the sun by the time we approached it. We walked around it a few times and took a path through the middle as well. I could see little flecks of yellow as a group of goldfinches came and went. I asked Chuck to sit with me the grass and we waited for quite awhile, but the birds did not come near.

Just as we were about to call it quits, the group of three finches came down to feed on some flowers fairly near us! I checked my camera settings and we moved very slowly towards them. I took a couple shots and then approached more. And then the same again. I managed to get a couple good shots of a pair of them as they were busy with their meal, but finally they noticed us and flew off into the woods.

July 21, 2022 0 comment 18 views

CLEVELAND METROPARKS Rocky River Reservation

Learning

by Tanya Wagner July 20, 2022

Today, Chuck and I headed to Rocky River Reservation near Big Met Golf Course. It’s not a new spot for us, but we went earlier than usual since it’s supposed to be very hot today and Chuck struggles in the heat. When we got out of the car, the grass was still wet with dew. In open fields and marsh areas, the morning sunlight was bright and warm, but the woods were still cool and quite dark.

I worked with manual settings again. It’s funny how I feel afraid to leave the safety net of automatic settings behind. It’s like swimming for the first time without any buoyancy. I’m afraid a great shot will present itself and I will miss it because I haven’t chosen the right settings. It sounds silly to say that I’m “afraid”, but I don’t know how else to describe it. In fact, when I think about it, learning new things always requires one to overcome some element of fear.

Actually, when you are a total novice, it’s relatively easy to start learning something because you have no real expectations of yourself and you can excuse errors because of your inexperience. Once you have a bit of experience, however, you start to expect a certain level of performance and you’re afraid to try new things or admit ignorance because you develop this feeling that there are things you “should” know or “should” be able to produce.

I did miss a number of great shots today. I had an amazing opportunity to get a close up of an indigo bunting, which is a beautiful very blue bird. The picture I ended up with is so dark it’s not even worth sharing. I also had a chance at a baby muskrat, but I missed it while I was fiddling with my settings.

Still, I did get some great shots of wood ducks and a deer in the river. I like the details you can see in the birds. Zoom in on the wood duck and look at her eye; she has a bright yellow ring around it, which I never noticed before. I also like the way the morning light looks so golden; you can feel it chasing away the nighttime shadows and ushering in the day.

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July 20, 2022 0 comment 37 views

Sandy Ridge Reservation

Reboot

by Tanya Wagner July 19, 2022

Since I broke my camera, I’ve been working to get it repaired. I was originally looking at Dodd Camera. They have been a fixture in Cleveland for a long time and come highly recommended by photographer folks. When I called and spoke with them, they were very professional, informative and helpful. However, I ended up taking my camera to Pixel Connection. The staff there was also very helpful over the phone and their location in Avon makes it much more convenient for me.

My camera is a Sony. So, they shipped it off to Sony for repair and indicated it should return in 3-4 weeks. In the meantime, I was able to rent the exact same model to tide me over. I was also able to take a look at a couple of very nice lenses, which are also available for rent. I’m excited to take advantage of this resource and rent some lenses that let me try different types of shots! I share this in case any readers are interested in trying out a camera or a new lens. I didn’t realize it was so easy to rent gear that might otherwise be cost prohibitive; I figure others may not know that you can try your hand at photography without making a major investment!

Anyway, logistics out of the way, I was so eager to get back on the trail with a camera! Rain delayed me for a few days, but I finally got out to Sandy Ridge last night. I played with using manual settings instead of leaning on auto. I failed on some shots, but overall, I think I was able to get much crisper photos with greater depth of field. I was especially happy with the swan and the swallow as I was able to capture both in action with wings outstretched.

I was also happy to be able to get quite near a few of the critters. An American Black Duck and her babies slept just near the trail and let me approach with just a few sleepy glances in my direction. A young bunny was equally unafraid and I was able to get a great shot of the evening sun illuminating its ears. At the end of the hike, I was able to get closer to a great egret than I have before. The snowy white feathers against the dark green backdrop are so stunning!

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July 19, 2022 0 comment 39 views

Sandy Ridge Reservation

Roller Coaster Day

by Tanya Wagner July 11, 2022

I’m still reeling a bit from the highs and lows of this day. It started out with a calm, pleasant hike in the Rocky River Reservation. We caught a glimpse of a young fawn in the woods and met some lovely fellow hikers.

Back at the car, I packed up my camera, like I always do, in a special padded backpack. We got home and I was hurrying to get Chuck in the house and get ready for work. I slung the backpack over my shoulder and reached for Chuck’s leash. A second later, I heard a sickening crunch. In my haste, I failed to secure all the snaps on the backpack closure and my camera slipped out and crashed onto the driveway.

I knelt over it and my stomach sank when I saw that the viewfinder was shattered. The little closures that conceal the sd card slots and charging ports had popped open and the top left corner was chipped off. I had to get to work so there was no time for tears. I ran a quick internet search and it looks like the damage can be repaired as along as the mechanicals are still in order.

So, after dinner, I went out to Sandy Ridge with my mama to see how the camera would perform. You know the anticipation you feel when you’re clicking up a massive first hill on a roller coaster? I always feel that at Sandy ridge when I emerge from the woods into the marsh. But it was magnified tonight one hundred fold.

The light was golden and warm. There was a lovely breeze. A few whispy clouds were high up in the sky, and the muddy water was a-flutter with so much activity!

We saw black ducks and mallards and wood ducks galore. Snowy egrets and great blue herons stood fishing or perched on logs – occasionally rising into the air to show off their wingspans. Turtles and a muskrat enjoyed the last light of the day. But best if all, a gorgeous sandhill crane strode through the wetland. I stood in the tall grasses at the edge of the water and watched his calm, stately stride. He came close and closer until he was just a few meters away!

As I tried to capture all this wonder, I prayed that my camera was working. It seemed ok, but I couldn’t be sure util I got home and examined the pictures. Oh the relief when I saw that the shots were good and clear!

Here are a few of the best. I hope they bring you a fraction of the joy they brought me today!

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July 11, 2022 0 comment 44 views

CVNP Towpath

Goldfinch

by Tanya Wagner July 9, 2022

Today’s hike was a six mile towpath trek. It’s been a few weeks since we hiked there and the trail is now almost entirely hemmed in on both sides by tall grasses and flowers and reeds. The water level in the canal is very low – entirely dry in some places. The river, too, is slow moving and aching for rain.

We spotted a bunny just off the trailhead. It sat very still and Chuck didn’t seem to be aware of it at all until it darted away. Then, the movement triggered her to jump after it, but the rabbit was far too fast and disappeared into the grass.

When we were able to find a rare break in the grasses, we could see giant carp in the canal. The water is so low that their backs are often breaking the surface of the muddy water as they swim.

We found a little group of mallard ducks – a female and two of her young brood. Right near them, a muskrat was busy collected grasses for his den. It’s not a great photo, but I was able to capture a shot so you can see how close they were to one another. It’s always fun to see neighbors out enjoying a sunny day!

Most of the little warblers and other birds I watched all spring seem to have moved away. The trail is fairly quiet except for the hum of the crickets in the grasses and the drone of cicadas higher up in the trees. Suddenly, I saw a flash of yellow! An American Goldfinch was perched on a branch near the trail. He was out in the clear and he sat still for me for some time so I was able to get a couple nice shots of him. I was so grateful that he posed!

We were almost back to the car when Chuck dove into the grass at the side of the trail and tossed a little mole into the air. It landed on the trail, panting and badly injured. It’s little eyes were scared and desperate. I was holding Chuck back, waiting to see if it would recover and run away, but it didn’t. I was torn about what to do. Should I leave it there to die slowly in the dirt? Should I kill it quickly? Should I let Chuck finish the job? In the end, I could not kill it myself. But I couldn’t leave it there to languish. I loosed the leash and Chuck quickly put it out of its misery.

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July 9, 2022 1 comment 105 views

CLEVELAND METROPARKS Edgewater

Monarch

by Tanya Wagner July 8, 2022

This morning was a perfect blue sky, restless lake, bright sunshine morning. The milkweed is tall and its heavy blossoms are drunk with pollen. The grasses are long and seedy and if you walk along between the groomed lawn and the rough, you can see where deer bedded down for the night, flattening the grass to make a private little nest.

We spotted some young red wing blackbirds, gawky and awkward teenagers with downy feathers still showing in places. I watched one young one struggle to balance on a branch until he finally gave up and flew down to rest on the ground. I’ve never noticed all the juvenile birds growing up, but I’ve paid particular attention this year and it’s charming to see them test their independence while still accepting food from their watchful mothers.

The killdeer were in their typical place along the rocky seam between the grass and the sandy dunes. I love them so much! They are beautiful, I think. But I’m most impressed with their bravery. They shout and run right at us to get our attention and then put on their broken-wing show, looking back now and then to be sure we are still following them away from their young.

We wandered down to the break wall and found a family of geese swimming in the calm water near the shore. On the rocks, people have carved their names and declarations of love. It made me smile to see that someone had etched “Chuck” into one of the stones!

As we were heading back across the meadow to the parking lot, I spotted my first monarch of the summer. I was so excited to see it and we watched it for a long time before I was able to get a good shot of it with its wings outstretched. I don’t really care that much for bugs, but butterflies are magical creatures. Their wings are so delicate with the vibrant color dusted on in spectacular patterns. Seeing the monarch just capped off our perfect morning!

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July 8, 2022 0 comment 40 views

Carolinas

by Tanya Wagner July 5, 2022

We traveled to Fort Mill, South Carolina for the 4th of July weekend to visit my brother and his family. We took a number of hikes at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, a sprawling park with a vast network of trails that meander through woods, around ponds and through open fields.

The forests there have a lot of pine, so the floor of the woods is carpeted with brown needles and the undergrowth is relatively sparse. The clean, crisp scent of the pines hangs in the air. We found box turtles and throngs of teeny tiny frogs on the floor of the woods.

In the backyard at Adam’s house, I sat on the veranda and watched the birds that were busy every morning. Mockingbirds and brown thrashers and house finches sat on the netting of the soccer goals that flank the yard. Cardinals and humming birds flitted in and out of the crepe myrtle. A rabbit spent some time at the edge of the tall grass, risking exposure to the neighborhood hawks to nibble the lawn.

One day, we traveled a few hours to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiked up to Crabtree Falls. Here, the air was cooler and the forest denser. Everywhere you looked, giant rhododendron were blooming. Creeks gurgled down the mountain and we found salamanders and crawdads under the rocks. The waterfall cascaded off a cliff into a clear pool at the base and spit spray into the surrounding woods. It rained off and on as we hiked – just enough to be refreshing without soaking us to the bone.

I always have fun exploring a new landscape. It’s particulary joyful to share the experience with my daughter and nephews as they hunt for critters and share their finds with great enthusiasm!

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July 5, 2022 4 comments 335 views

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