Cold day in Ohio but took a short hike to the Scioto Metro Park (https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/scioto-audubon/) in Columbus Ohio which is one of my favorite places to visit. Did not see very many birds but as we were about to leave a Bald Eagle flew in and eventually landed in a tree on the far side of the river. Here are a few shots.

Walked out on the deck to feed the birds and i saw two turkeys who seemed to be wrestling. I was not quite sure what was happening but I went back into the house and got my camera. Here are a few shots.

This week, I have been thinking about growing up and buying poppies from Veterans in the week before Memorial Day. Poppies are a symbol of Memorial Day and a remembrance of those who died in United States Military Service. Another childhood memory was learning and reciting the poem, In Flanders Field by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrea: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm. Both are a reminder that these men and women died to protect our freedoms and we should not be willing to compromise those freedoms because others try to oppress us.

A staple of summer in ponds and wherever you find water are dragonflies. I have found them interesting to photo even though they are a bit difficult to photograph.

Hibiscus blooming in gardens, parks, along the highway in late summer adding a brilliance to the landscape.  They are so bold, colorful, and create a presence wherever they are. They always take a second look!

Many of us have seen deer in the neighborhood, on local streets, on highways and in the woods.  Deer are common place and as we continue to take more of the green space out of communities, they have become our next door neighbors.  they run into our cars, eat our vegetables and flowers and bring their young for us to see,

I like to take photos of animals up close and personal because I think that you can find out a lot about them by looking into their eyes.   

This buck shows up just for a photo shoot! Loves having his photo taken.

Each morning I wake up to the sound of crows cawing! Throughout the day everywhere I go, I see crows,  They are in the backyard, in fields and meadows, along the highway, in parking lots, and everywhere.   They spend a lot of time in my backyard and on my deck so I have many opportunities to photograph them. Love photographing them!

A morning at  Lake Logan State Park (http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/lakelogan) which is about 30 minutes from Athens.  It was very quiet with only a few people fishing and no other photographers.  It was also very cloudy and gloomy; not the best day to take photographs. When I first arrived,  there did not appear to be very much wildlife but I was able to capture a few shots of a green heron, wood ducks, a kingfisher, and mallards.  The hibiscus  and water lilies were in full bloom. 

I needed  to find out what was happening to the apples on the apple tree.  I found a blue jay enjoying an apple! Bluejays love fruit!