Laura and I have this Easter tradition. It doesn't involve eggs, or funny hats, or a big ham on the table. It's about renewal. Its taking the time to go out into one of our favorite destinations, the outdoors. Spring is beginning, and the plants and animals are responding. Its a time of beginnings. So we take the chance to find a new place to explore, a new place to hike. We feel that new sense of wonderment, as we witness nature's rebirth.
This year we went to Ganondagan, a historic place near Victor, NY. The Seneca people lived here, in a village known as the "White Village", or the "Town of Peace". We explored the trails through the woods, and read the many interpretive signs here telling about the people and the plants that live here. We searched for skunk cabbage and bloodroot. We listened to the songs of the birds, and we watched the cascading water in the brook. It is easy to see why the Seneca settled this place, it was very magical.
After our hike we stopped for some ice cream, then off to Durand Eastman Park on Lake Ontario. We had been here before, but we had several letterboxes to find here that we had never got around to finding. We had a lot of fun finding these, though we did make a few wrong turns along the way. But the park was full of people, and we enjoyed the warm weather, and the dramatic topography. We had a full day, and slept well that night, dreaming of the next time we could take this time and forget about our daily grinds and enjoy our other home.
Laura and I have this Easter tradition. It doesn't involve eggs, or funny hats, or a big ham on the table. It's about renewal. Its taking the time to go out into one of our favorite destinations, the outdoors. Spring is beginning, and the plants and animals are responding. Its a time of beginnings. So we take the chance to find a new place to explore, a new place to hike. We feel that new sense of wonderment, as we witness nature's rebirth.
I grow a full beard in the winter, and shave it all off in the sping. Here's what happens in between.
Migration Sensation is an event held in Shreve, Ohio during the end of March to celebrate and educate the return of many migrating birds. Sandy and Dick have been inviting me for a few years to come, and it never worked out. I was very happy that this year it did! We got up early (for some) and went to the Shreve Elementary School to register and collect a map to the various locations for birding in the area. We started at Wright Marsh, a complex of man made berms that create wetland areas for various bird species. We saw a wide variety of red winged blackbirds, sparrows, and a few geese. After that, we went to Shreve Lake and were very excited to see a Common Loon. Well, this isn't so "common" in Ohio, and it one of the first I've seen outside of the Adirondacks. We then moved on to see the Eagles. This is always a treat to see, and very exciting to see them on the nest. We also got a great view of a Belted Kingfisher. We then headed back into Shreve for a great lunch at Des Essenhaus. After lunch we went back to the elementary school and checked out the vendors area, and watched two great lectures on Ohio's Woodpeckers, and on the Barn Owl. 
I was very amazed all day long to see a large Amish population into birding. These young boys would walk by me with thousand dollar scopes and tripods! It was very cool to see. We also visited with a old member of the Laura's band down in the swamp, as she led children in scooping for aquatic life. Then we picked up Brian, and headed back out to see the Eagles, and its a good thing we did. We not only got to see the two eagles we had seen in the morning, but also saw an immature eagle circling about as well. The whole day was a treat, and though I didn't add any birds to my life list, it was a very educational day, and we got to see some very special birds! I recommend this event, and hope I can make it again next year. Remember to bundle up though!
