Ohio Country Journal: Trumpeter Swan

Who We Are

The past few years, the area where I live, Crawford County, Ohio, has seen a wonderful explosion of younger families who are embracing the joys and challenges of living off the land. Because of them, amazing things are happening which have been embraced by our community. Farmer’s markets have been created and on-farm stores have opened. Families dedicated to growing organic produce and naturally raised meats are meeting the public’s needs for locally raised foods. And at the heart of this movement are the women.

Ohio Country Journal is my attempt to share the essence of farm life, focusing on, but not limited to, women. My goal is to bring you into our circle of friendship by inviting you to share your stories and experiences with us. You don’t have to be a full time country woman to benefit from joining us; you just have to be you.

The full-time country women featured in Ohio Country Journal are an inspiration to anyone who dares to follow her dreams, whether it is to live in the country or to bring the country life-style to their urban neighborhoods.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Cruisin'

The attitude of this Trumpeter Swan (photographed at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge) seems to sum up my luck with nature photography this year...."take THAT, you crazy lady with the camera"! Being at the right place at the right time just ain't happening for me so far this year (but there is always hope...fall migration is just around the corner).

So...today I am changing focus, literally. After a wonderful breakfast at our town's old fashioned eatery ,The Big Plate, with dear friends Nancy and Don (from PA, who are in town visiting family and friends), Jim and I are heading down the highway to the Dan Emmet Car Show in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

Just like the Call of the Wild pulls me to nature spots, hood ornaments beckon me to car shows. As soon as my feet hit the pavement , the search is on.

Seven years and several hundred photos of hood ornaments later, I will be featured in a gallery show in downtown Mansfield during the big car show there. More on that later, for now, the search is on for things like this...

Marcheta *take THAT...you crazy Trumpeter Swan!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Cabin Fever Cure

There's nothing like a change of scenery to perk up the senses in the heart of winter. For me, that usually means a trip to Lake Erie.

We took our young scientist with us to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday for the auto tour. We saw about 1,000 Tundra and/or Trumpeter Swans (it is hard to tell the difference from a distance), as well as Bald Eagles, Canada Geese, other ducks and also deer.

6 years-old Ava is a bird lover and often visits Scioto Audubon Metro Park in Columbus with her parents. Notice that she came prepared with binoculars.

Her first visit to a Lake Erie shore was a cold one..only about 25f. The waves were frozen, giving a sense of motion to an otherwise desolate location. Because of the wicked wind, we were only on the beach for a few minutes, just enough for Ava to collect a few shells.

Monday was warmer, and driving home through Ohio's countryside showed more signs of life....different types of birds in flight as they begin the Spring migration season.

However, the MOST wildlife was found inside. We took a side trip to Cabela's outfitters in Dundee, Michigan, which has the most amazing displays of wildlife from several continents. With an aquarium and a "river" stocked with fish that runs through the store, Ava and I had plenty to see and do while Jim shopped.