Ohio Outdoors

It’s summer, and despite the recent weather, millions of local residents and visitors are preparing to enjoy time in, on, and by the water. In Ohio, we are blessed with a variety of waterways, both natural and man-made, fresh water and salt water.

Mayapples are popping up all over Portage County. These small forest floor plants native across the eastern United States and Canada, and are one of my favorites.

April is Earth Month and it is all about appreciating the nature and wildlife on our planet. Of course we are all familiar with Earth Day, an international celebration of environmental awareness held on April 22.

There are many indications that spring is almost here in Portage County. Not only have we had wonderfully warm weather lately, but crocuses, harbinger of spring, and skunk cabbage are blooming. Animals are shedding their heavy winter coats. Winged travelers are returning from southern climes and building or repairing nests. Spring is definitely close.

Since February is the month when we celebrate Groundhog Day, I thought I’d write my column about squirrels. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Is she off her nut?

Cardinals, also known as red birds, are very common throughout Portage County and the Eastern United States. Their estimated population across North America is 100 -130 million strong.

I bet you finished that line. During a Portage County winter, most of our trees and herbaceous plant life slumber until the arrival of spring.

It’s November, the month of Thanksgiving. Here, in America, no other animal is more closely associated with November than the turkey. According to the US Poultry and Egg Association 46 million turkeys will give their lives to the holiday this year.

It’s autumn, time for bonfires, Friday night football, and trick-or-treat. In October we celebrate all things spooky and frightening.

It’s mum season, also known as fall or autumn. Chrysanthemums can be found gracing walkways and front porches all over Portage County.

The geese flocks are growing. Go to any open grassy space or harvested field and you’ll witness this phenomenon. They can also be seen flying in formation. Are they migrating already? Isn’t this early? If they are leaving, why do their numbers keep growing?

July is a busy month. We celebrate our country’s birthday, county fairs are getting underway, bald eagle chicks are fledging (able to fly and leave the nest), and then there are the summer concerts. Many cities and towns across the Buckeye State offer free outdoor concerts on special afternoons or evenings throughout the summer. There is another type of concert that is also free, available to everyone, everywhere, and plays all summer long. I’m talking about the musical productions of nature. 

In last month’s column (April Showers bring Vernal Pools) I talked a lot about Ohio’s native amphibians (frogs, toads, and salamanders). This month I want to talk about Ohio’s native reptiles, more than half of which can be found in Portage County. Reptiles are cold-blooded (the scientific term is ectothermic), breathe air, and are covered with scales.

Spring is here! The school year is winding up, the days are getting warmer, and rain is falling. Spring rain is essential. It waters all the new plant growth, pulls pollen out of the air, and boosts water table and wetland levels.

Save the Bees. I’m sure you’ve heard or seen such slogans increasingly over the past couple of decades. Of course, I’m all for saving any species, but some of the claims of activist groups on bee decline are a bit frightening. In trying to research the topic of bees and their necessity to humanity’s survival, I found varied and often contradictory reports. Sifting through the data, a few undeniable truths emerged.

Portage County weather. Everyone jokes about it: Wait five minutes and the weather will change; you can experience all four seasons in the span of a few hours; Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind.

It’s March, and spring is in the air, literally. No matter if the month came in like a lion or a lamb, look and listen to the skies for vernal evidence. Harbingers of spring are winging their way north as you read this. And no, I’m not talking about robins. Robins don’t actually migrate; they stay in Portage County year-round. So that ‘first robin of spring’ sighting isn’t something to get all worked up about.

If you’ve been noticing a foul odor in the air recently, you’re not alone. Unpleasant as it may be there is a natural cause for your nose to be offended. In Ohio, February is breeding season for skunks.