My Inspiration
I am guessing that many would not think of northern Ohio as a haven for birds. However, one would be wrong to think that. The Lake Erie shoreline has more than one thousand acres of wetlands that are now protected in various metro parks, preserves, and reservations. They are strung out along the "north coast" from Michigan to Pennsylvania. Usually, mixed in and around those wetlands are mature forests of conifer and deciduous trees, grasslands, and shrubbery. This mix of habitat supports almost every type of bird imaginable.
It's a bird photographer's dream. I can choose from more than twenty parks, large and small, within one hour from my home. Each has something unique to offer and I am still finding new ones. So, which one is my favorite? Well, it's the one I happen to be in at the moment.
Location...
If you follow the path on the right for about half a mile, you will come to a medium sized marsh. Herons, egrets, ducks, geese, and swans can be found here. This is the Columbia Reservation which is one of many parks managed by the Lorain County Metro Park system.
...location...
At left we have one of the ponds behind the Rocky River Nature Center. This medium sized park has a habitat for everyone. A true jewel of Cuyahoga County, it is managed by the Cleveland Metropark system.
This is my "tiny birds" park. most of the photos in the Chickadees, Sparrows, Titmice, and Wrens gallery came from this park. I have a theory that the tiny birds are actually made of pieces of magic.
...location
Here is another park in Lorain County. This is Sandy Ridge Reservation. The photo shows one of two large marshes in the park and the path that winds between them. One can find waterfowl, hawks, bald eagles, and even sandhill cranes here.
The Lorain County Metro Park folks have done a superb job with their parks. They understand that the wildlife comes first and that humans take a back seat. Sandy Ridge is a perfect example of this kind of thinking - a wonderful place to visit.
