The Observation Deck

Mama Great Horned Owl sitting on the nest on a sunny, cold day in the Emerald Canyon.


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Caught this bunny out for an early morning walk, while I was walking the dogs.

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Everyone on their nests!


The Great Horned Owl, just feet outside of Lakewood proper is back on the nest.

and...


Mama Bald Eagle with her pick up "Gigolo" mate, have returned to their nest. A short walk from Lakewood.,
and the Great Horned Owl nest.

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Unfortunately, my camera was not close by when a big old polecat (skunk) decided to waddle across the street and right up the middle of our driveway. Following his tracks (carefully!) a few minutes later, I discovered that he decided to cross over into the neighbor's back yard, and continue on to his destination.

It would appear that our winter den-loving animal friends are starting to get restless.

Kinda like we are.

Back to the banjo...

The Emerald Canyon's Bald Eagles trade off on the nest. 04.02.2014


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:
The Emerald Canyon's Bald Eagles trade off on the nest. 04.02.2014

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The female Bald Eagle of the Emerald Canyon soars over my house in Lakewood. Working the canyon for fish.


This is the one on the left in the nest photo.


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Spring brings everyone out...


A Tom Turkey tries to woo a female turkey in the canyon. There were 7 of them walking together.


A whitetail Deer fawn losing its spots wanders by with 12 friends! Drive safely!


And be careful where you walk, Red Tail Newts and Salamanders.

It is great having so many miles of parks near Lakewood. The Metro Parks, with miles of bike paths, trails, walkways, fishing
holes, stables, golf courses, and more. Amazing, open 24 hours a day and very, very clean and safe.


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I love the Metroparks, but the Rocky River Reservation is only open from 6am to 11pm, not 24 hours.

http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main ... on-13.aspx

I have been called out by the rangers many times over the years when cross country skiing in the moonlight. Around 10:45pm, the have been known to turn on the spotlight on their car and yell through a megaphone that the park is closing.

Great Blue Heron, breeding colors, Emerald Canyon, 05.07.2014



Green Heron,Emerald Canyon, 05.07.2014








Red Wing Blackbird, Red Eared Slider Turtle, Emerald Canyon, 05.07.2014


Common Grackle.

We started this month with Green and Great Blue Herons, we ended it with Great Blue Herons in the Canyon.










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Father's Day, 06.15.2014



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Chipmunk on the front porch coming up for some bread.


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Might be time to allow limited hunting in Lakewood.


Deer are so commonplace they almost go unnoticed.


A neighbor in the area, said, "We get herds all the time at dusk and dawn, if you are quiet you can walk right up to them."


Beware of ticks!


Also in the morning when walking the dogue, I am noticing about 5 bunnies a block. A friend thought they
should also hunt chipmunks, and perhaps, here at noon, they both show no fear of anything!

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In the front yard this morning.


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Lakewood's Militant Squirrels

Almost a decade ago Kenneth Warren wrote the definitive piece on squirrels in Lakewood for the paper. For Ken's own
protection at the time we shelved the piece, and instead ran:

Corpse On Lakefront Inspires Squirrelly Haiku.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2005/11/16/corpse-on-lakefront-inspires-squirrelly-haiku

I really never thought much more about squirrels in Lakewood until this morning. While walking
Beau a 170lb Douge de Brodeaux, aka French Mastiff we came around the corner and
found this squirrel daring us to take another step.


As if saying, "What are you looking at?"

So feeling fearless I took a couple more steps towards him. No maybe 15' away, and he moved...

INTO OUR PATH!


As if to say, "Maybe you didn't hear me?"

So we continued, and thankfully the squirrel ran off.

These squirrels!


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