Sky Friday

It's been a while since the sun has been out.

The weekend shows more promise for brighter days.

What Happened To Summer?

It's like someone flipped a switch and suddenly, it's autumn.

This image is at the Rocky River Nature Reserve.

©2012 John Lowe, Photographer.

Click to enlarge.

Vanity Plate

Not just a suggestion. He really means it!

When the light changed, this guy pulled into the intersection way over to the right and stopped.

He waited until I went around him.

That's the entrance to the Valley. I was all the way down to the river when he finally made it to the top of the entrance!

Much Ado About Nothing

I took a trip to the Rocky River Nature Center the other day.

The weather was nice but there wasn't much activity in the way of birds.

I circled the lagoon and headed back to the parking lot 

when I heard frogs jumping into the water as I passed by this small slop pond.

This guy apparently was not afraid of me and let me take his portrait.

I think his expression sums up how still the day was.

Click to enlarge.

Happy Dogs

Look at those smiles!

These two were enjoying a perfect summer day at the Lakewood Dog Park down in the Metroparks last summer.

Riverbend

Serene autumn photo painted in Photoshop.

Autumn Leaves

"It's happening..."

Friday, the 23rd marked the beginning of Autumn.

My drives through the Valley show leaves just beginning to turn colors.

The best time to see the fall colors is the second week of October.

Butterflies III

WOODLAND SKIPPER

Click to enlarge

Butterflies I

CLOUDED SULPHUR

Click to enlarge

Blue Heron II

Just like the jogger told me, "He shows up almost every day."

This photo was taken last Saturday just around the bend where yesterday's doe was photographed.

Click the image for greater detail.

Nature Walk VI

Whitetail Deer

Although, technically not at the Rocky River Nature Center but still in the park, this doe wasn't more 

than 15-feet from the road in a wide open meadow.

Apparently uninterested in the cars whizzing by and the occasional photographers, it meandered across the meadow 

enjoying some "really good grass". (LOL)

Click the images to enlarge.

Nature Walk V

Painted Turtle

These turtles seemed to be everywhere there was a log to bask in the sun on.

This one also saw my camera and said, "Hey, you looking at me?"

Click the image to enlarge.

Nature Walk IV

Dragonfly, Common Whitetail

Photographed from the same spot as the Frog In The Bog these insects are considered beneficial because they eat 

pest insects like mosquitos and their larvae.

They are abundant throughout North America.

Click the images to enlarge, (There's great detail in these photos)

Nature Walk III

Frog In The Bog

I came across a group of visitors pointing to the bog and asked them what do they see.

This was one of many frogs poking their heads out.

Click the image to enlarge.

Nature Walk II

Pilelated Woodpecker

As I walked through a forested path, this beautiful woodpecker landed in front of me just overhead. I think it saw my camera and said, "Hey, shoot me!"

This particular woodpecker is quite large - about as big as a crow!

Click the image to enlarge.

Nature Walk I

Community Log

Last July when the family was visiting, we stopped at the Rocky River Nature Center in North Olmstead in the 

Cleveland Area Metroparks System.

We looked at the exhibits inside the building and then went on our way.

I went for another visit afterwards and discovered that there are 5-miles of paths and vista points behind the building.

The reserve was lush with mammals, birds, reptiles and insects to photograph.

In this first of a series, I found these ducklings and painted turtles sharing a partially sunken log in the marsh.

Click the image to enlarge.

Blue Heron

Ever since I saw a hawk and a wild turkey down in our Valley last July, 

I've made a daily drive through the park with my camera in hopes of getting some shots of these birds.

Until yesterday, I had no sightings of anything except a bunch of ground hogs.

But, on my way home I spotted this beautiful Blue Heron on the opposite bank of the river.

A jogger told me that it shows up almost every day. 

It took to flight when I got too close. But maybe I'll see him or her another day.

La Famiglia - Parting Shots

Brother and Sister have departed for the Northwest this morning.

Gianni, Mama Lowe and Michael at The Metroparks Nature Center, North Olmstead.

Michael and Mama Lowe

Monica and Mama Lowe

Water Monster

Uh oh! Somebody woke him up...

Berea Falls

This urban waterfall is located in Berea, Ohio in the Rocky River Reservation. The fall consists of two main drops and a couple smaller drops totaling 25 feet. There is a lookout above the falls.

Surprisingly, there are a number of nearby urban waterfalls in the Greater Cleveland area that are easy to get to and are much more scenic.