ROYGBIV: The Spectrum of Color

Rainbow forming over Mogodore Reservoir

Color, in my opinion, is one of the aspects of life that is taken most for granted. I truly believe that it is a vital element of mood and an essential component to something as complex as well-being. I have always noticed that on a bright, sunny day where all of the colors of the world are more vivid and vibrant to the eye, that I am in a much happier and cheerful mood than on a gloomy, dull day. I feel that many people can relate to this feeing of euphoria; an increase in dopamine and serotonin (the feel-good neurotransmintters) levels in the brain must be present, right? Color is beautiful; the warmness of a red autumn leaf, the orange of a pumpkin, and the yellow of the sun provide a sense of coziness that lies deep in the heart. The coolness of the green grass, the blue of an ocean, the indigo on an indigo bunting, or the violet of the flower (respectively) are calming and nurturing in nature. This sense of gratitude towards the colors of the world has really been brought on the past couple of weeks as they are starting to make rise in this early spring season - wildflowers are coming out, birds are migrating back to Ohio, and the atmosphere has been putting on special displays at sundown.

Fresh, vibrant sprouts

The colors of the world have been presenting themselves for the past few weeks, as mentioned, however our last time out and about was when the colors had really popped. Doug, Jeremy, Clint and I had gone out to Mogodore once again for a canoe ride on a gloomy late afternoon, which didn't stay that way for long. When we got there, the magic started happening. We were greeted, once on the water, by hundreds of swallows that covered the area of the reservoir. Tree Swallows have been present the past few weeks; this was the first week that we had seen Barn Swallows, though! As they performed their aerial acrobatics and  nabbed insects off of the surface of the water which we paddled,  Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Red-Tailed Hawks, and the ever-circling Turkey Vultures were also making appearances. I am glad to say that Clint, the rookie of the trip, spotted the first Osprey of Mogodore 2011. We made our way through the causeway that goes under Route 43. Once on the West side of Route 43 we began to spot Bald Eagles, along with mass numbers of Double-Crested Cormorants and Coots. It had been an amazing day for birding at Mogodore Reservoir. After paddling a half-hour back to the launch spot we set foot on land and began to take in the beauty of the atmosphere surrounding us. The colors
were changing fast.

The progression of the color was mesmerizing, extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional...the list of adjectives could go on and on. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets that I had ever seen. At this moment, I realized that I had to start to appreciate the colors of the world more than I already do. I  am grateful for nature in its entirety, including the aspect of color. I feel as though it is something that is not appreciated or talked about enough. Maybe it's just me. Beautiful in picture, it gives no justice as to what it was like in the moment. Until the next moment that I am out and about, I'll leave you with one more picture - While the sunset was painting the foreground pictured above, this was going on in the background behind us.

Double Rainbow

Hiking With Friends

Pictured left to right: Rob, Ryan, Doug - obtaining information on a Red Oak

Tuesday, after being released from clinicals a bit early, I decided to see what Doug Marcum was planning for the rest of the day. He had informed me that he was going to a plot of woods near Kent State University's campus to work on a project for his forestry course that he is taking; He asked if I cared to join. I figured that this could be a great learning experience for me - I know nothing about forestry. On the way to the plot, Doug pointed out a Great Blue Heron rookery which I cannot wait to go peek at within the next couple weeks. Also, Doug pointed out to me that Turkey Vultures have been making their return for the past 3 weeks -  I had not seen one yet! Once he said that, It was as if that was all I would spot, one after another. I was now wanting to just go birdwatch and forget about the upcoming forestry lesson. However, I am glad to have gone because I met a couple of his friends who, along with Doug, shared great insight with me about the local species of trees growing on this plot. Also, while waiting for his colleagues to arrive Doug and I saw a Cooper's Hawk fly overhead. Once Rob and Ryan showed up the forestry lesson began. After the couple of hours spent learning about trees from the three amigos and a special appearance by their professor, I was able to differentiate between a Red Oak, White Oak, Black Oak, Cherry, Beech, Butternut Hickory, Red Maple, and Silver Maple (even though not located on this plot). The guys were marking trees, taking their diameters and heights, for a project which correlates with the forestry course. The picture above shows how they would work up each tree: Ryan is holding a measuring device used to measure diameter and height. Rob is marking the trees with the noticeable orange ribbon with correlating numbers for each tree. Doug is logging the information in his notebook. They are working on a Red Oak, with a large Beech Tree in the middle and a Cherry Tree along the right edge of the picture. 

Detail of a Cherry Tree's bark

Doug and I then ventured out of the plot around 4:30 to meet up with my friend Alex Martinelli from my nursing courses. He just so happens to be an avid outdoorsman/hiker like Doug and me. I have often told him about the outings that Doug and I go on, which he always showed interest in. I decided to ask him earlier in the day to come along with us for a hike through Towner's Woods (located in Kent, OH). So, Doug, Alex and I set out to check up on a couple of vernal pools which Doug was interested in keeping tabs on for the upcoming salamanders, wood frogs, and spring peepers (I cannot wait to hear them - the sounds of spring). 

Alex on the ground, Doug on the downed tree, vernal pool in background

It was here where I was able to give Alex his first lesson on Birds. A male Red-Bellied Woodpecker made an appearance for us to peep at through my binoculars. We watched him fly from tree to tree, having a few pecks at each one, then he flew away out of our sights. I advised Alex that the way to tell apart a male and female is from the red stripe on its head. If it connects from the back of the neck to where the beak starts, it's a male, whereas the female's stripe ends about half way up the head. We then hiked on and came across a habitat fit for a bat. So, Doug checked it out...

Doug peeps up the hallowed-out Black Oak

He found nothing but an open cavity. Who is to say that there wont be future residents, though...

View up the hallowed-out Red Oak

Alex, Doug and I continued to walk the path through Towner's Woods as it grew from late afternoon to early evening, with the temperature starting to drop. We were amused by the call of a distant Pileated Woodpecker, which would be followed by a returning call from another Pileated in the opposite direction. This is easily one of my favorite birds! We never did spot it, but I knew what it was up to. We pushed forward and Doug spotted a beaver dam at another wetland area of the park. We sat there for a bit and looked on from our bench made from a downed tree. We noticed tracks going to and fro the dam, which is evidence that there is a resident of the shelter! It's something to go back to and observe throughout the spring and summer. 

Reflection 

The following morning I was woken up by a text from my friend Jeremy Alfani letting me know that there was a flock of Hooded Mergansers in a little pond behind the rec center at Kent State. I have never been able to observe them prior to this, so even though it was raining pretty steady, I made my way out to watch them a bit. I was a nervous that they would be gone by the time that I got there and that I would be wasting time, and dry clothes for that matter, but they were there! I set up my spotting scope and continued to view them from a distance as they are extremely skittish. I counted 6 males and 1 female - it's that time of the year...

As I was watching I noticed that there was a female Belted Kingfisher (Photo of Female Belted Kingfisher from Doug Marcum's Flickr - not taken this day) in the same pond scooping up lunch! They are another one of my favorite birds. I called Jeremy and told him to come up so that he could see them through the binoculars and spotting scope. He originally only saw them through the window at the rec. I give him credit for the proper identification of them and for letting me know about them being there! After getting drenched in the rain, we both went to our nursing class and called it a day for being "Out and About..."