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.

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?

Last week we had such beautiful weather that I headed out to the Audubon nature reserve in Beechwood for the first time in almost a year. The reason for my “abstinence” was, of course, road work. I just couldn’t seem to find a direct route to Fox Chapel that didn’t include massive detours. Finally I decided to use backroads.
Unfortunately, it was quiet at Beechwood. Birds were in short supply, except for that one hawk circling overhead. There weren’t even any Canada geese or mallards. In the end, I photographed a painted turtle sunning itself on a log in the pond.
At home we often hear the not too melodious call of blue jays. They seem to have had a good year. Occasionally I hear a pileated woodpecker. And the hummingbirds are still here, at least the females. It will probably take a weather change to force the migrants to fly south and the warblers to pass through our area.

We don’t see too many birds right now, but I have seen and heard plenty of hawks lately. The ruby-throated hummingbirds are hitting our syrup feeder hard. Not only do they have chicks now, but they are also beefing up for their upcoming migration. I have to check the feeder often to make sure it is full. They are also visiting our flowers, but I see them on the feeder more often than not.
Lately I’ve been photographing butterflies (yes, we finally have some) and posted some pretty photos on my other blog. Our wildflower garden has recovered from the groundhog’s attacks and even the cosmos is blooming now. The biggest hit is our Joe-pye weed. Sometimes we count almost a dozen bees on it. That’s where I photographed the butterflies.
While we have taken a few wildflower hikes lately the weather is not inviting us to do much this weekend. There isn’t much else to do than making plans for the cooler season. I just signed up for a wood duck workshop in October. I hope it is as exciting as promised.

I recently returned from a trip to Germany where I visited my family and friends. My parents’ garden is big and it abuts several other gardens and orchards. Fruit trees and evergreens provide ample cover for the many birds I heard. With the help of my dad’s binoculars I observed serins, blackbirds, a blue tit, magpies, and a great tit. Also passing by were swallows, a hawk, and a white stork. The stork nest on top of the fire hall has three inhabitants this summer. And let’s not mention the rooster who lived not far away!
If I had the window open at night I could hear bird songs before four o’clock in the morning. When I was younger I did not notice birds unless they were swans or other showy species. Now that I’m interested in birds I see them everywhere.